ADOPTION miracle of Artur, good news, and some sad news for prayer.

Dear Prayer Family,

        This is thrilling.  12-year-old Artur, the Russian boy YOU prayed
for, is now in America with his adopted family.  The adoption was very
difficult, and the parents believe it is our prayers that broke through to
allow them to finally get their beloved son from St.Petersburg. Barely in
his new home a week, Artur is happy and expressing deep love for his new
family.  I can never thank you enough for praying.
        
        I believe it is God's heart for godly families to adopt.  Please
pray for many, many more adoptions of this kind, particularly for older
children who are acutely aware of their orphan status and feel abandonned
and alone.  Please also read the story pasted below, written by Artur's new
mom, expressing the tremendous need of another lonely boy, Andrei. Andrei
grew up with Artur, and is his best friend.  Andrei's heart is broken to be
left in the orphanage with his younger sister, Lida.  Pray for them.

        Pray for D***, and many other older boys and girls in America
waiting to be adopted.  Pray for orphans all over the world, desperate to a
loving family.  Let's PRAY these children into godly homes and rejoice
forever.  Read Artur and Andrei's story below signature line.

Praying with you for the multitudes, and rejoicing for this one,

Janey
Janey L. DeMeo        

Founder/director of Orphans First, freelance writer.
ORPHANS FIRST website:  http://www.OrphansFirst.org/
E mail:  janey@...
Subscribe to the free weekly Orphans First prayer list:
http://WeLoveGod.org/digests/orphansfirst/ 
_______________________________________________________
                Promise of  the Heart  by Joyce Schaller

     After 9 months of paperwork, and the labor of a court hearing in St.
Petersburg, Russia, I arrived at the orphanage to take my new son, Artur,
home at last! A moment that for so long seemed forever away was now a happy
bubbling reality and my heart was full of joy. I brought with me oranges,
tangerines, apples, cakes, and candies for a final farewell tea party for
Artur's group, his loving caretakers, and the administrators of the
orphanage. I also brought new shoes, boots, clothes, and toys for the
children.
     When the plates were filled with the tasty treats and set on the table
the children were brought in along with the other guests. Artur came in
speaking rapid Russian, and I, a non-Russian speaker, could easily hear the
excitement in his voice. The children, delighted by the appearance of gifts
I had brought for them were equally happy and it was hard to contemplate
the
finality of it under the din of cheerful noise.
     As we sat down to tea and sweets I noticed a soft sound of sadness
underneath the joy. I looked up and saw a little boy at the end of the
table
with tears streaming down his face, his hand covering his mouth in an
attempt to stifle the sound of his sobs. I immediately asked the adoption
coordinator, Alyona, who he was and why he was crying. She told me that his
name was Andrei and he had grown up with Artur. He tried to just be happy
for Artur, but desperately did not want to be abandoned at the orphanage.
She also told me that the children always cried at the farewell tea
parties,
as if this would make me feel any better. Thinking quickly as to how I
might
help Andrei find some solace, I asked Alyona to ask the children if they
had
anything they would
like to share with me about Artur. No sooner had she translated my request
than Andrei bravely blinked back his tears, gulped hard, stood up, and
proclaimed in perfect English: "I just want you to know that Artur is my
very best friend." As he spoke his lower lip quivered and when he was done,
he collapsed into his chair bent over in grief.
     Then, it was Artur's time to cry. Seeing those two boys and the
mourning they displayed, and the sheer power of their sadness, forced a
promise from my heart. The promise that I would do whatever I could to help
Andrei, and his little sister Lida find a family. If you know anyone who
might be interested in Andrei (who like my son is 12 years old) and his
little sister, Lida (8 years old), please contact me: Joyce Schaller
(540)657-9279 or joyceschaller@...

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