Wednesday, June 6, 2012

M = M*rkus


How funny is it that I struggled for so long over what topic to choose for the letter M, and now here is M*rkus with so many people asking questions. Here I can answer some questions and maybe fill you in on a few things.

For anybody who is not in the loop, my guys and I will be hosting a boy from Latvia this summer. His name is M*rkus, and he is eleven years old.  M*rkus, like many of the hundreds or thousands of children in Eastern Europe, is an orphan. For these children, that is a negative stigma. People look at orphans as criminals, and their hope for their futures is slim.

These orphan children are aged out of the system at age sixteen and are turned out onto the street, after which over 80% of them will fall prey to homelessness, drugs, prostitution, lives of crime, and suicide. Many of them feel left out, unworthy, left behind.

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. -Matthew 18:5

With New Horizons for Children, many of these children are given HOPE. Through NHFC, families, like ours, host children from Latvia and Ukraine for about five weeks at a time twice a year when the orphanages close. Yes, the orphanages close. That confounds me, but that is another story.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. -Psalm 68:5

Through NHFC, children are brought to the United States of America where they will live as a part of a functioning, Christian FAMILY. They will experience LOVE, enjoy fun and LAUGHTER, go to church, do the things that the families do.  All the while, these children will be learning English.  This is a skill that can help them with A FUTURE.

It is said that during the five weeks that they are here, the children will learn as much English as they would learn in four or five years at school back home.  In Eastern Europe, many of the countries speak English as a second language, not Latvian or Ukrainian.  Thus, by learning English and strengthening their skills in that language, these children are able to broaden their future possibilities.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. -Matthew 19:14

Additionally, these children will learn more about the love of God, they will learn that they are not alone, they will learn self-esteem, and so many more positive things that they may be missing living at orphanages and foster homes.

If you have any questions about M*rkus, about NHFC, or about this program, please feel free to ask.  We will do our best to answer. Meanwhile, please be praying for all of the children, and the host families, and the program and everyone involved in making this opportunity a reality for the over 180 children coming to America in a few weeks.


You are invited to join this group on Facebook to follow our journey with M*rkus.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. -James 1:27

3 comments:

  1. Hi Dawnmarie,

    I have a question. If the orphanages close up for 5 weeks at a time twice a year, what happens to younger children, under five, that don't have a family to sponser them for the time of the orphanage closures? What is the age of the youngest children there?

    This is the first I have heard of this, and even of New Horizons for Children. This is a great thing they are doing and that goes for all the families involved. It is also such a blessing that these children will get a chance to know Jesus, and the love of a family. I imagine it has to be very difficult for them going back, though.

    How long have you been doing this, and do you get the same child each time or another child? Is there a way you can keep in touch with each child you have cared for at your home?

    I will look you up on facebook to get more info.

    God bless you and your family,

    Annie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your questions, Annie! I do not know the answers to the first paragraph but have asked people who might know to stop by and reply to you.

      You are right that this is a wonderful blessing for so many people, and it is admirable that NHFC works to follow God's direction to care for the orphans.

      This is the first time that we are hosting a child through NHFC. From what we have heard, many people keep in touch with their host children via mail. Some people host the same children time and again, some people host different children, and some people wind up adopting their host child. That is a bonus blessing!

      Please do join our Facebook group to keep updated, and thank you for your positive and encouraging thoughts. <3

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  2. yun jalane 🔥 aaya hu,
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    ReplyDelete