Faithful Friday - "Two Little People"

First of all today, I want to thank you all so much for the prayers for our family during the loss of my father-in-law (Pawpaw).  We know it was a prayer answered in that he went so peacefully and it wasn't long and stretched out for him, which was so important because he hated being bed-ridden there at the end.  We know he's with the Lord now and there is great rejoicing as he rejoined Jason's mother there in heaven too. 

This week has been really busy with all the affairs that follow a death in the family, including taking care of Pawpaw's home and belongings.  However, I didn't want to let today slip by without a Faithful Friday post.  Joy was sweet to let me "borrow" her post, her words.  And important words they are! 

Remember Leiney Grace? 

She's the precious 9 year old from China that we did the Auction for Adoption for here on my blog?  She is just blooming where God planted her in the Bryant family.  Well, since she's been home, she has talked and talked out of concern for two special friends she left behind in China.  She wants them to also know the love of a family, so we're trying to get the word out!  I know their family is out there somewhere!  Please read on (from Joy):


Today's post isn't going to be like a lot of posts. Today's post is just going to be about people.

Little people.

Two little people, to be exact.

Their names are Maria and Ricky.

They have dark hair.

Almond-shaped dark brown eyes.

Brilliant smiles. And a little something special--it's often called a special need--but it's really just a special need for love.

Maria and Ricky are orphans.

Mari, 8 years old, with the big smile, and Ricky, 7 years old, with that adorably mischievous smirk.  :)

They live in a little orphanage in Hunan, China. Both have been on the Shared List for a long time and are now on BAAS (Bay Area Adoption Services--the wonderful agency we used for Luke's adoption)'s list.

Maria was born in August 2003. She will be turning nine soon, and as you can see, she is about the size of her friend Ricky, or "Di Di," who is seven. Maria's special needs (for love!) are described as "left cross foot, post-operative resection of benign lumbo-sacral tumor."

Maria needs a family. In some pictures, Maria's lovely smile has disappeared!

Maria needs a family to put that sunny smile back on her face. Here's a little bit about her from a mom, Ms. Jan, who adopted from her orphanage:

"'Maria' is 8 years old and has lived in the orphanage with Leiney Grace since she was 2 years old. She had a benign tumor in her lumbosacral area and deformed feet upon admission. She was given surgery in 2006 to remove the sacral meningocele and repair her tethered cord - based on this information- I am assuming she has spina bifida although her file does not state that. According to her growth report in her file and according to our Leiney Grace, "Maria" is a smart little girl and is developmentally on target except for gross motor due to her feet. Her deformed feet have never been treated. From what I have read in her file and asked Leiney Grace, I believe she is continent, but I am asking Xiaoqing (the BAAS coordinator) to check on this.

"'She is expressive and a sensible, strong, and brave child. She has difficulty walking in shoes because of deformed feet so sometimes she only wears socks. Especially in winter, she has chillblain (blisters?) on feet which may break, but she still insists on walking alone. All caretakers are moved by this.' Leiney Grace says that she and Mei Mei went to school and that Mei Mei reads every day. She also says that Mei Mei played the violin with her. The two of them slept together and apparently were very close yet when Leiney Grace left the orphanage to come meet her mama, Mei Mei did not cry and told her to 'Go to Mama and Baba.' Oh, how I want this child to know the love of a family and most importantly the love of Jesus and the hope He brings."

And Ricky. Adorable Ricky.

 Ricky was born in March, 2005. Ricky's special need (for love!) is "polydactyly of hands and feet and cleft lip and palate."

Ricky has an adorable, mischievous look about him--I have a feeling there's a whole lot of personality behind that face! :)

Here's what Ms. Jan wrote about Ricky:

'Ricky'just turned 7 in March. He has been in the orphanage since he was a newborn. He is post-operative for polydactyly of hands and feet (extra fingers, toes) and is listed as having cleft lip, palate, deformity of tongue, and cleft vermilion tubercle. I do not see a cleft lip in his photos.

He does have a deformity of his tonuge and mouth. He can speak but Leiney Grace says his tongue is a circle - not so sure about that. He will likely need surgery and speech therapy though. He is described as 'a very diligent child, takes an initiative to clean the room, clever and gentle."

Both of these children desperately need a home! I have more pictures of both children. If you would like to see them and would like more information, you can either email me at: countrygirlathome@att.net Ms. Jan at dfbjhb@windstream.net

Not everyone can adopt, and I understand that. Please, please keep these children in your prayers.

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Please join us for Faithful Friday (today or any other Friday)!  Just leave Joy a comment here on her blog, letting us know you've participated and we'd love to come visit!  And if you just stopped by to read, we thank you for making it part of your Friday!  Have a great weekend!  :)