(If you are visiting for the first time, please refer to the Dec. 7 post)
First of all, thank you so much to those “first responders” who contributed to help Artyom! We are very grateful.
You will notice that we are off to a slow start, BUT… that doesn’t mean we can’t make it to the finish line! If you read our original letter, you’ll also notice that we actually lowered our goal to $2000. We believe that this is very tangible. It is our sincere hope and prayer that we will be able to raise Artyom's account by $2000, at least.
OK, moment of truth: I hate fundraising. I have developed a love for this child, who is most vulnerable…and helpless. I didn’t “plan” to do this. I felt compelled to. Geoff felt compelled to…our children really want Artyom to be adopted into a loving family so that he may live! (after trying to answer, “Mommy why we can’t adopt Artyom?”)
So how did it all come about? Why now? About two weeks ago, after inquiring about Artyom's status, Andrea Roberts, the director of Reece's Rainbow responded:
... I love him so dearly, he reminds me so much of my Reece! He is facing the institution, yes, and no one has inquired about him…. Boys are just so much harder to place. ;( …
A phone conversation followed this, in which I learned that even getting a child’s grant $ above $5000 has historically helped (as many adopting couples are not wealthy, so a good size grant can literally make the adoption possible.) I also learned that Artyom had no sponsor trying to raise money for him for Reece’s Rainbow’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Christmas Angel Tree Project. Being as though we have been praying for this kiddo, it just seemed right that we should pull for him, in this way, too.
A phone conversation followed this, in which I learned that even getting a child’s grant $ above $5000 has historically helped (as many adopting couples are not wealthy, so a good size grant can literally make the adoption possible.) I also learned that Artyom had no sponsor trying to raise money for him for Reece’s Rainbow’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Christmas Angel Tree Project. Being as though we have been praying for this kiddo, it just seemed right that we should pull for him, in this way, too.
So there you have it, that’s why we are asking for donations now, even though it is hard. And yet, it doesn't have to be hard. 60 people able to give $35 accomplishes this $2000 goal. I know people are busy, and many of us are feeling the pinch of a a tighter economy. Some of you reading this may think "I already have my charities", and assume others will pick this one up. (I'm guilty of thinking like this) ...And you know, sometimes that's a true and valid point. BUT, in this case, please don't assume others will take this one on. Artyom, in this case, is the underdog. Please, if at all possible, make a little extra room for this child. Let's help give Artyom "the gift of a family" this Christmas. Could there be a better gift?
I will end it here. I hope to blog a little more. I have a truly amazing story to share with you all.
Please keep Artyom in your prayers. We pray for his protection, that he knows Love, that he never knows the institution, and that he is adopted very soon. His forever family is out there. Let's help make his adoption possible.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
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