More about our last chance boys

Click here for the latest update on R and K!

I received this via e-mail about R & K, and she gave me permission to share online. I really believe it further shows K's hearts desire. Their grant towards hosting is now $4000!

Hey,
I was looking through my bed side table this evening and came across
two items very precious to me that I wanted to share with you (it was
the drawer where I keep the things most important to me in the world).
I'm attaching photos of them. Both of these items are from 2 years
ago, after I'd known him for 2 years. First, it's K's teddy bear
that he gave to me to show me his friendship and love. It was so very
sweet. He has nothing to his name, yet he gave me this. The second
item is a journal he decorated for me with his photo, a bunch of his
artwork inside, and a picture of an angel on the front. You probably
can't tell from the photo but he colored the angel with markers (very
carefully), cut it out (along w/ cloud background) and pasted it to
the journal. Then he wrote me a several page letter in the journal.
Here's an excerpt from that letter that I thought was particularly
notable:

"Amanda, when I first saw you I immediately understood what a person

you were. I thought that America is an unrecognizable country, but

then I saw that Americans came to visit us, and I understood that

America is a pretty good country, now I'm sure of this. Then I became

your friend and now I know about God and he helps me.

Amanda, please tell me, do you read my letters? I read every letter

of yours, because I want to learn more about my friend. Do you know

that someone wants to adopt me? But they still haven't adopted me.

But I hope that they will adopt me. If they do adopt me, I will never

forget you. You have been like a mother to me. I give you this

present, my best friend diary, with all of my wishes."

"No family ever came for them. But for me, this note shows his heart's

desire ... his biggest wish, for a family."

-This team member also gave me some background on their story and it is heart breaking, and yet a real story of redemption-that these boys have been able to rise up above the mistakes of their parents, and become the young men they are today. They have been in orphanages for 7 years now. They grew up separately but were reunited when they arrived at the orphanage. The younger brother-"K" has no one to care about him....Amanda shared that she was the only one to call him on his birthday this year, for example. 

LAST CHANCE!

Edit *Click here for the latest update!*

Added comments at bottom from someone who knows these boys personally* 

These boys are almost fully funded to HOST-grant is now $4000-

The mission team has raised the money so that the family can start their home study now, and not have to worry about most of the host fees! 

We just received the information for an amazing set of brothers-Radion and Koyla. 

This will be their last chance to find a family. 

We have till May 1st to find them a host family. 

We are looking for a family that can get "paper ready"  before the boys arrive. 

They have a grant of $1000 towards their summer hosting.  $2000 $4000!

The have spent a lot of time with missionaries that serve at their orphanage, and come HIGHLY recommended by all who have met them. Please take a moment to read about them, and please SHARE their story. We can find these boys a family before it is too late! 

Both boys are artists as well. 

The LOVE basketball.

These boys would like to have a Christian family. 

Hosting is open to families anywhere in US-

The kids will fly into New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. They will stay around 6 weeks.

$4000 Grant toward hosting these brothers! LAST CHANCE. This boy is 100% recommended by director and missionaries. This boy has a very high IQ and is an amazing child. This is a special situation that we agreed to because of all the things people have to say about him. "He is such a wonderful boy that he will actually be a leader with our mission team's work at another orphanage this spring." They have until December until they are no longer available. They are still waiting for a family to come for them.

                                

This boy comes highly recommended by missionaries who know him well. They brought these boys to us, as they are in desperate need of a family. We are told by his director that he is a calm and very nice child. The brothers are very close and wonderful! Many people are advocating for them because they are so amazing. I know we can find them a family.

More about them in this blog post here!

Here is a picture from 2 years ago-showing their artwork:

The older brother showing his award for his artwork!

Younger brother showing his award-winning artwork:

Younger brother-picture from a few years ago-doing his artwork with the missions team:

Older photo showing his personality!

Working hard on Bible study:

Another recent photo of the older brother:

One more photo-another older picture-this is when they made superman capes!

Comments from someone that knows these boys well:

R is a very smart boy and gets the best grades in school. He's on of the few orphans still in the system at his age who could have a chance to go to a University. He is a great artist and loves basketball. He is a leader in the orphanage and is a kid that most every kidin his orphanage would consider to be a very good friend of theirs. Even the teachers and director look to him as an example for the other kids and as sometone they can always rely on. He's even participating as a member of an American mission team this week, doing ministry at another orphanage. We heard from the team today that he's doing wonderfully and is just a trememdnous help for anything and everything they need. He really has a servant's heart. I don't think there's anything R could not do if he's given a chance. Until this fall the boys were at an orphanage that wouldn't allow them to come for hosting and honestly I had all but given up hope on finding them a family. They were recently transferred to an orphanage that will allow them to come! It was a miracle. This winter R pleaded with me, tears in his eyes, to do everything I possibly could to find he and his brother a family! Please, help us fulfill their greatest dream! Video interviewing R

K is a great kid too with a very good heart. He does not excel in school the way R does, but it seems that it may be due to needing guidance and motivation rather than intelligence. He also is a good artist (more cartoon style) and loves basketball. He has a fun loving personality and loves to joke around and be silly! R and K look out for each other as good brothers!

www.heartforhosting.org

For more information on hosting, please send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 

or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at (408) 710-8902

I'm only one. But still, I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

-- Edward Everett Hale

Disappointment

For weeks I was planning to trip to UA for the end of this month. Unfortunately, my hubby decided that we just did not have the money for me to go. I know it was probably the right decision, but I was still incredibly disappointed.

So I sent packages for the boys and their directors today, to be sent with the host director, who is still going next week. :-) The boys gifts: (It's amazing how much you can fit in a gallon sized ziploc!) Of course right after I took this picture I realized that one of the boy's letters had a mistake on it so I had to open and reprint the letter. :-)

So I have been thinking and praying about what to do to best advocate for these kids, since I am not going to get to go meet them next week like I was hoping.....I am thinking of trying to offer some matching grants on some of my favorites, to see if we can get some grant money stirred up-for some of the "harder to get hosted" kiddos. Any thoughts?

My Never Chosen Kids

So along with L and her brother there is another group of siblings from my boys orphanage that I am desperate to find a family for this summer.

Here are "V", "M", and "U. They have never been chosen for hosting, but are great kids and great favorites of the UA facilitators and a"t the orphanage. The host coordinator saw them when she was visiting in the fall and she said they were great kids, all adorable and well-mannered. I do believe they are in S's groupa as well. They can be hosted separately or together.

Hosting is open to families anywhere in US-

The kids will fly into New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

V- the Middle Sibling- My boy "S" claims this boy is his best friend. :-)

 Look how cool this boy is! If V had parents, if he had family, if there was somebody to care about him, to give him their love and warmth, he would be the happiest person in the world, definitely! But he is not complaining-he is such an old boy for his years, very serious and intelligent. He has a calm quiet temper and is rather steady and disciplined. He has a tense sense of fairness, this is the kid whom you will never see neither fighting nor arguing with somebody. He is also a great defender of all the girls. He is very self-controlled and patient. He likes nature and animals and loves to care for kittens and puppies. His hobbies are singing, painting, drawing, he also likes doing sports and reading. His biggest wish, his dream, to become a pilot, the one who is “a living person controlling the sky”.

U- The older sister 

Favorite! Can be hosted separately or with her siblings. U is a definite leader in the class and among all her peers. She is already a self-reliant youngster who can stand up for herself. The girl is very active. Her hobby is sports and she loves sports though she’s a lady. She has such a tender temper. She is generous, delicate, she is a great, caring elder sister. She has a great strength of will but at the same time she is very afraid of failures and losing her position of leader. She gets really attached to the teachers who praise her and pay proper attention to her. One of the difficulties for her is meeting new people as she can be shy. Her favorite subjects are writing and reading.

M- The youngest

Adorable fun little guy. Likes school and just now starting to enjoy it. He has lots of friends and loves to play sports. Eats anything he is given and loves fruit and soup. Is loved by his teahers and director. Would do well with a family with other children or none. He is longing for a mommy and daddy and for a trip to America.The boy is very active. M is always in a good mood, he is an easygoing person, who will get on well seems like with everybody in this world – adults, younger/elder kids, peers. He is a self-reliant guy in everyday life – he takes care about his appearance and clothing. The boy is always responsible for everything he is doing and can never let anybody down. All the kids like M for being open and positive child. He is a leader of all games, a friend of all kids. The boy is a gifted one – he likes painting and drawing, also working with meccano is one of his favorite games.

www.heartforhosting.org

For more information about hosting, please send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 

or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at (408) 710-8902

God sets the lonely in families.

--- Psalm 68:6

How does this little girl still not have a family?

EDIT 3/23- 

Our girl has a host family! All I know so far is they are in Texas (my home!)  This family is totally prepared for her diagnosis, is familiar with and ready to go with her country! This news makes my week! For any families that were interested in V-We are getting the information on another HIV+ girl-also turning 10 this year as well-that comes from my boy S's orphanage-you know I want to see her find a family as well! 

For more information on Sasha-go to this link here on my blog. 

Hosting is open to families anywhere in US-

The kids will fly into New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

 Read more about her at the blog post here.

 It's discouraging that she doesn't have a host family yet. So many families have inquired but no one has been ready to make that final step for her.

 Yes, she has a medical diagnosis, but it is easily managed.

Please pray about you or someone you hosting this little girl. She needs a family! 

www.heartforhosting.org

For more information on hosting, send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 

or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at             (408) 710-8902  

St Patty's Day Fun

Making Irish food on St. Patty's day is SO last year. Instead, a wonderful UA woman came over to a friends and showed 3 of us host moms how to make borscht and nalisniki. We had a TERRIFIC  time (although we didn't do much "helping") and it was great hearing and learning more about the culture of our kids as well.

We ate so much food that day! And our friend also brought pelmini as well (which I LOVE) so we gobbled those up as well. :-)

Two Sisters

Edit: It looks like they have a host family!.....And they are nearby us also so I will get to spend plenty of time with these beautiful girls this summer!

Svetlana (11) and Leonida (8) 

These are two really special girls that captured the heart of the host coordinator, when she visited last fall. When Ginger returned, she could not stop talking about these girls, and how wonderful they were, how much the orphanage director wanted them to be hosted, and how we had to find them a family! They are 2 of only 6 true orphans at their orphanage and they need a family!

"S" and "L"There is something to be said about a sister's love. These two are very close and S is very loving to her little sister. Even in a motherly way as you can see. They are very curious girls and stayed right by my side the whole time I was there. They are longing for the love of a family.

"L" was so excited to meet the host coordinator, that she ran out with her towel on her head. 

Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?

It's good to be blessed. It's better to be a blessing. ~Author Unknown

For more information on hosting, send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 

or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at (408) 710-8902.
www.heartforhosting.org

Will the fourth time be a charm?

Edit* The family that cannot adopt him is hosting him again. They just couldn't stand by and watch him not get to come to America this summer. Hopefully this summer will be the summer he finds his family!*

V (13)

"V" has been hosted 3 times before in America, but the family is unable to adopt him due to the country's marriage laws. He is calm, sweet, loving, and a great kid. Our host coordinator met him three times and at his orphanage. Everyone who meets him loves him and he is longing for a family. He is 13 and has no siblings.He loves soccer. www.heartforhosting.org


                                               Hosting is open to families anywhere in US-

The kids will fly into New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

Although reserved when meeting new people, he is a true joy. He is ready for a family and just needs a chance.

V at his orphanage

V at the airport this winter, saying goodbye again.

 Origami swans that he made during winter hosting. 

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. 

What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." Albert Pine

For more information on hosting, send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 

or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at (408) 710-8902.
www.heartforhosting.org

Very Important

If you do nothing else today... WATCH THIS!!!


KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

My "Sad" Siblings

I call these kids my "sad" siblings. They have had a rough start in life, and they need a good family with a lot of love. The girl on right is "I". Her and her siblings arrived at the orphanage in the winter. When they arrived, the were very neglected and skinny, but have since started to recover. They also lacked many basic social and hygiene skills. She has 3 younger siblings, "K" (left), "I" (middle) (4) and a 1 & 1/2 y/o baby brother in a different orphanage, doing well. "I" can only be hosted since the rest are too young. 

Hosting is open to families anywhere in US-

The kids will fly into New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

Although she has had a very hard start in life, she is eager to learn and doing well. She is diligent, calm girl. She has individual tutor to help her catch up in school. Her favorite activities are making puzzles and drawing but we are sure she will love dolls and other girly things when given a chance. Not picky in food, likes varenyky (kind of Ukrainian dumplings) and sweets but she is also just discovering nice cooked meals.
A little shy. Loves kittens and puppies

What a cute little boy her younger brother is! 

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."  ~Mother Teresa


For more information on hosting, send me an e-mail at Hershonfamily@gmail.com 
or e-mail Ginger at Guglielmoshope@gmail.com or call her at (408) 710-8902.
www.heartforhosting.org