Why these three boys?
What’s so special about the three boys the Archers are adopting from Eastern Europe? Doesn’t everybody know that there are kids in foster care in America who need help, too? Nobody has asked me that, but Mrs. Archer has to defend her life-saving work on a regular basis.
Here in the US, there is a waiting list more than 300 families long to adopt babies with Down Syndrome. In Eastern Europe, these children, just like George, are put into institutions. Some are better than others. But there is NOTHING in the US anywhere near as abusive and horrific as the orphanage that the Archer boys are trapped in.
I’ve never been there, but my friends have. And these friends are making change happen. Here is a photo and a quote from Susanna Musser’s blog
electronically translated from Bulgarian
18 children died over a year and a half
Babies and young children are being left hungry for days, lie in urine without having their diapers changed for twenty-four hours, due to which most of them are severely ill. Over a year and a half, 18 children have died, as evidenced by a Report of the CPA. This provoked an inspection by the Minister of Health Dessislava Atanassova. Yesterday she commented that she left there crying. At the moment, 154 children live in the institution. After the inspection, Ms. Atanassova found out that, obviously, the personnel had known about her visit, as the children were all dressed up nicely, the sheets were changed and the toys were new. The stench of urine, however, made a huge impression.
“While I walked through the rooms and watched the children, I cried. After that, I got mad and was greatly upset that they were doing wrong things,” the health minister said. She made a hint that probably serious financial misuses had been done in the institution, as any accountability was lacking.
VERONICA AFTER LEAVING THE ORPHANAGE
4 kilograms and 850 grams. That’s how much the 9 year old Veronica weighed on November 14, 2011. That was her last day in Home For Medical and Social Care for Children in Pleven which terrified the health…
To read the whole story, go to Susanna’s blog at http://theblessingofverity.com/
…. just in case you were wondering why these three boys, why I’m using my limited energy for such a project, why some wonderful people think that 300 dollars is a reasonable price to pay for a pair of prayer socks (of which every penny goes to rescue little ones from something that I so deeply hope would never happen here).
I know only a small percentage of people can afford to donate right now, and an even smaller percentage of people can bid on the ebay auctions. But it doesn’t cost anything to join in with prayer and emotional support. Maybe go to Mrs. Archer’s blog and leave a comment? Comments are free. Knowing that we’re all standing with her is so valuable to her at this moment. If you have a minute, can you go tell her so? Her blog addy is http://theroaddownhome.blogspot.com/
Tomorrow, the next steps on the socks, and updates on all my family…. even Emily’s college decision. Thanks so much, I love you.
I keep this lovely family in our prayers, their courage is such a wonderful blessing. I hope some day we can do the same . Much love and strength to the Archers, and to you and your family,too.
One worker in one of my boy’s orphanages told me it breaks their hearts to hear about the kids that die when they have to leave around 5 years old and move on to their next stop. She mentioned hearing just recently about another child who had died shortly after moving on only a bit before we arrived. I think about the caretakers who DO open their hearts to these childen even though they know their “next stop” may be their last; it must take a huge toll on their hearts to continue to do this day after day
I love you heart…that you are pressing forward to help in these ways to support these children. Blessings, Jennifer