I’m not sure how we arrived where we are today, but our
FIRST little guy, Ali, turned 9 today. After almost 3 years with Ali, I still can’t
imagine how different his life would be had his uncle not brought him to us…
When I first heard about Ali, they said he was a small, 5
year old boy who had lost his mom when he was just 2-3 days old. He’d lived
with his grandma and his dad rarely visited him, if at all. No one knew where
his dad was living when his grandma starting to get sick.
Soon, grandma wasn’t able to take care of the kids she was
trying, simply, just to feed. Ali’s uncle explained he had 3 kids of his own and was
caring for Ali’s half brother and he just couldn't cope with one more child.
The first time I saw Ali, he looked like a 3 year old, and
I’m being generous. His feet were so tiny. He couldn’t really walk in the
little flip flops he was wearing, and getting him to walk just up the 2 stairs
into the kitchen was nearly impossible.
And his belly…oh…He had a HUGE belly due to lack of
nutrition. And it was bad. He was constantly saying his stomach hurt after
eating. We had to try a lot of different things to make sure he didn’t vomit or
have diarrhea but eventually, just 2-3 months after arriving, he was doing so
well.
Ali has always felt like my little baby, even as he grows
and will be going into grade 3 at the beginning of the year. The time has
really passed so incredibly fast, and part of me wishes for the days when Jadon
used to carry him everywhere like he was a baby. And he really was. He was
fragile and very undernourished. And God brought him here, to us…to love and
care for.
I’m ugly crying as I type this. I love this boy with my
whole heart. I don’t want to think about what situation he would be in if God
hadn’t opened every door for this home to be here, at that exact moment when he needed
care. His family tried but when they can’t even feed themselves, what do we do?
I have so many mixed feelings about orphan care, but I can
tell you one thing: there is a great need. Even children who have one parent
are hardly eating, let alone a child who is being cared for by an aunt or
grandma. The situation in our area is so different from even the southern part
of the country.
Because of people who believed in this crazy idea, crazy
plan to come and be parents to the parent-less kids in our community, Ali has a
mom, a dad, many uncles, aunts and brothers & sisters. We wouldn’t have
arrived here without your help, and for that, we are truly grateful.
As Giving Tuesday approaches on December 3rd, a day of global awareness
& giving for organizations like ours, we implore you to think about kids like
Ali – where would he be? Where would he be today without the help of precious
partners like you?
My heart breaks to think of where he may be, but I also
rejoice because God knew how things would end, and because of the love of a few
people, just like you, Ali is having a great 9th birthday.
Thank you seems so insignificant but really – look what you
guys have done! God has used you to see this little man through the last 3
years, and I know beyond that. You all are incredible people of love. Thank
you.
Will you help us continue to love and help kids like Ali?
Will you help us now, today? Sign up to become a monthly sponsor before the end
of the month and Ali will color a picture just for you…Come on now, what else
do you need?! Do it already.
Lots of love,
Laura and Ali and the GANG
No comments:
Post a Comment