Pure religion
Pure religion is this - to care for orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
I've talked about this before, but today it hit me in the face. Many years ago, before Brent and I even wanted children, I was flipping through the channels and came across a documentary "The Children of Leningratsky". I encourage you to watch the DVD or catch it on HBO (although I don't know when it's playing). It's awful and horrible and heartbreaking.
There are 700,000 Russian orphans. Children graduate from orphanages at age 16 and are expected to make it for themselves with substandard education, no job, no home. 75% don't even live to age 25.
There are over 30,000 children living on the Moscow streets. They sell their bodies as young as age 7 just for a warm bed and dinner. They sniff glue and sleep under the streets on the city's heating ducts. Everyone is against them, even the police beat them and throw them out.
I don't think I adequately have the words to express what I'm feeling.
We've seen homeless in the underpass the whole time we've been here, but today there was a group of children. They were younger than Andrei. We were on our way to dinner and I left Brent and Andrei at the restaurant and ran to the grocery store. I got two heavy bags of food that I thought might last a few days and handed them to two tiny dirty children - girls - who were begging at a food stand.
And then I went home and cried.
It wasn't enough. I have a houseful of food and clothing and heat and blankets. Brent and I both work - we have enough money to go to Starbucks and get Netflix. Andrei already has too many toys.
I fed two little girls for a day or two - it cost $30. Less than a day's worth of work.
I gave a little boy an opportunity to live in a home and have loving parents. Perhaps you aren't in the place to do that, but surely you have $30.
Children's Hope Chest
Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund
Active Child Aid
And to go one more step, The Lighthouse Project (the hosting program we used) has children coming to Wisconsin in January that need host homes.
I've talked about this before, but today it hit me in the face. Many years ago, before Brent and I even wanted children, I was flipping through the channels and came across a documentary "The Children of Leningratsky". I encourage you to watch the DVD or catch it on HBO (although I don't know when it's playing). It's awful and horrible and heartbreaking.
There are 700,000 Russian orphans. Children graduate from orphanages at age 16 and are expected to make it for themselves with substandard education, no job, no home. 75% don't even live to age 25.
There are over 30,000 children living on the Moscow streets. They sell their bodies as young as age 7 just for a warm bed and dinner. They sniff glue and sleep under the streets on the city's heating ducts. Everyone is against them, even the police beat them and throw them out.
I don't think I adequately have the words to express what I'm feeling.
We've seen homeless in the underpass the whole time we've been here, but today there was a group of children. They were younger than Andrei. We were on our way to dinner and I left Brent and Andrei at the restaurant and ran to the grocery store. I got two heavy bags of food that I thought might last a few days and handed them to two tiny dirty children - girls - who were begging at a food stand.
And then I went home and cried.
It wasn't enough. I have a houseful of food and clothing and heat and blankets. Brent and I both work - we have enough money to go to Starbucks and get Netflix. Andrei already has too many toys.
I fed two little girls for a day or two - it cost $30. Less than a day's worth of work.
I gave a little boy an opportunity to live in a home and have loving parents. Perhaps you aren't in the place to do that, but surely you have $30.
Children's Hope Chest
Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund
Active Child Aid
And to go one more step, The Lighthouse Project (the hosting program we used) has children coming to Wisconsin in January that need host homes.
posted by Tracy at 11:28 AM
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