Globe Babies

Statistics for American children in the foster care system

2009-07-29T17:30:00.007-05:00

Of all youth aging out of the foster care system, national statistics indicate:

56% are unemployed and face poverty within two to four years.

They represent 70% of all homeless youth.

They constitute 88% of incarcerated youth and young adults.

40% receive welfare within two to four years,

40% do not graduate from high school.

60% of teenage girls will have a baby within two years.

statistics courtesy of ChildrenAwaitingParents.org

The fate of orphans....

2009-07-23T14:17:00.019-05:00

Orphan Statistics

It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide (recent UNICEF report.) The current population of the United States is just a little over 300 million… to give you an idea of the enormity of the numbers… (The current population of Russia is 141 million)

Every day 5,760 more children become orphans 2,102,400 more children become orphans every year in Africa alone.

Every 15 seconds, another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan There are an estimated 14 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa (a number higher than the total of every under-eighteen year old in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Ireland combined) This figure is estimated to reach 18 million orphans in Africa alone by 2010 (only two and a half years away) 8 out of 10 children orphaned by AIDS lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but… Each year 14, 505, 000 children grow up as orphans and age out of the system by age sixteen.

Each day 38,493 orphans age out.

Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home.

In Russia and the Ukraine, studies have shown that 10% – 15% of these children commit suicide before they reach age eighteen. These studies also show that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.

Another Russian study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…

special thanks to Skyward Journey

While I'm in this holding pattern....

2009-05-09T12:44:00.022-05:00

... waiting on God I have been doing research on the plight of girls in this messed up world we live in. Just recently a dear friend and I opened a SafeHouse in India. It is for girls in danger of being sold into prostitution and for street children who have escaped from child labor or have been abandoned or thrown out. There are 14 girls and boys in the house now. Out of all the children in the house the girls that are doomed to prostitution are the one's who need help the most. In India some girls are born into brothels and some girls are sold by their parents or relatives into prostitution. Once done their life expectancy diminishes greatly as they succumb quickly to AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and despair.
I came across the girleffect website last night. It offers practical solutions for the serious problems girls have to face. It challenged me greatly and I was inspired and encouraged to continue the work that Abha and I have started. Pray for my Princess sister Abha and I for we are "in the trenches" in our quest to save these children!

The Promise

2009-05-01T07:52:00.006-05:00

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your (children) from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, Give up! and to the south, Keep not back. Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth-- Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made. Isaiah 43:5-7

This is the promise that I hold on to. This is the promise that goes with the call that Heavenly Father has on my life. I am learning to wait on Him. The learning to wait is the hard part. I want everything to move right along-- quickly. Right now I am in a holding pattern and I am praying that I will be patient. I have this promise and it keeps me, and gives me hope, gives me purpose!

Aboout the house...

2009-04-26T12:49:00.007-05:00

I searched my heart about the house and I prayed a different prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to give me what He thought best for me. I found out that the house I previously wanted is in an area with too many restrictions from a Home Owners Association. I do not want to live like that. I want to plant gardens and have animals for the children. Farm animals like, horses, llama, alpaca, sheep and goats along with dogs and cats. A place with restrictions will not work. I was talking things over with Jesus and he reminded me of my hearts desire to have a small farm. My mother has her heart set on a place where she can garden in peace. It's settled, I am looking for something else. I am rejoicing for the people who decided to buy that fine house. They don't want farm gardens and farm animals. The gazelle walk past nearly every day so they will enjoy the wild animals. I on the other hand will be happy at the farm. Funny how we forget about our true heart desires. Thank you Jesus for reminding me.

Itsy Bitsy Spider and blessings!

2009-04-26T12:32:00.004-05:00

I went to the Itsy Bitsy Spider children's resale shop and found two play dresses in almost new condition for $8.32 a piece. Now how is that for a blessing? I know Heavenly Father is looking out for me and these children. I am so happy. I found that little shop and I found treasure. I also bought a Ralph Lauren polo dress for Sarah, $5.97 and an Old Navy pant set for Hannah, $6.46 and a Carter's dress set for princess baby for $1.98. I paid less for all of these outfits then I would have paid for one play dress ordered from the Hanna Andersson website. I struck gold! I am not doubting that this journey that I am on is planned and orchestrated by someone bigger then me. I feel greatly loved. Father thinks of everything!

Playdresses for Hannah and Sarah

2009-04-15T14:00:00.015-05:00

I found the cutest little play dresses at Hanna Andersson.com . I think Hanna and Sarah will be adorable in these outfits. The dresses come in 4 different colors and 2 styles . You can buy bike shorts to match. Good for little girls who love to climb trees! It is nice to find a store that still has modest clothes for little girls.

I love maps!

2009-04-11T23:45:00.010-05:00

The first map is a map of India, Asia ,and Russia, etc. My children will come from orphanages located in places on this map. The second map is a map of the route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. One day I want to ride the train across Siberia from Bejing China to St. Petersburg Russia. What an adventure that will be!

Hannah and Sarah

2009-04-05T05:24:00.018-05:00

I want to bring two little girls out of Russia. I will name them Hannah and Sarah. I want to adopt them from a preschool orphanage. The children are moved from the baby orphanage at around 4 years of age and sent to a preschool orphanage where they remain till 6 or 7 years old. Then it is on to the school age orphanage which can be a very bad place especially for girls. I want to bring Hannah and Sarah out and tell their story and make people aware that just sitting here in our nice houses in America and shedding a few tears is not going to improve conditions for these children. I believe that to attack this problem in a big way we must go to Russia and open safe homes for orphan children run by compassionate people who absolutely love Jesus and all children. I do not believe that the foster care system is the answer. Paying people to house children brings out elements of society that should not be allowed to care for animals. Why do we trust them with precious, impressionable, children? We need to get serious about the business of improving conditions for orphans. I am tired of sitting on my hands and doing nothing.

photo courtesy of mayrussian7

Sleeping princess baby...

2009-04-02T13:40:00.008-05:00

My hope: one day I'm flying to Russia and getting on the Trans-Siberian Railway and I 'm going to get my princess baby from an orphanage somewhere in Siberia. My heart will be full of joy and wonder and happiness beyond measure! One day I'm flying to Russia and I'm getting on the Trans-Siberian Railway...!

Joshua Naresh

2009-04-01T13:54:00.016-05:00

This is the one who gives me hope and determination to believe and hope and pray for miracles. This is Joshua Naresh. He was found wandering the streets in India. At the time they believed him to be 4 years old. He was taken by a group of kind people to an orphanage where he lives now. Not too long ago they located his family but his family did not want him. However, I want to be his mother. I have told Heavenly Father how much I love this child and asked him to help me bring him home. There is something about this boy that has made the King of heaven claim him as His own. This boy Joshua Naresh will do great things. He has already done a great thing to my heart . He has caused me to love without measure. What are the arguments?"Be careful you don't know his history". "You don't know why his family dumped him". "Be careful he's a street child". Love is not careful. Love loves no matter what. Love loves children who have no history, live on the street, have messed up families, and bad habits. I am choosing to love this child no matter what. Why? That is how Jesus loves me. No matter what!

The new house.

2009-03-29T23:16:00.006-05:00

Here is the wonderful house I have asked Heavenly Father to provide for us. In addition to providing for my babies I need to provide a place for my parents. They are aging gracefully and need a comfortable place to retire. This house is in an ideal location. It is located in the country on 2 acres of land. It is close to a wildlife preserve so there is an abundance of deer and gazelle and other wildlife to be seen. There are many species of birds. Their happy songs fill the air from morning to night. My Daddy loves to garden. He will enjoy the land. My Mom loves bird watching and wildlife. She will enjoy the variety. There are big oak trees in the yard good for climbing and swinging. It is a place full of wonder. The children will love it. As for the interior of the home. I am happy with the general layout of the rooms. There is plenty of space and the kitchen is convenient. The laundry room is extra large so I will enjoy my many hours spent in there. If I built a house this house would be the one. I have told Heavenly Father how much I like this house and asked Him to arrange a contract for me so that I can purchase it. I need a good writing contract so I am waiting on Father to arrange everything. I will like the psalmist David, "Taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that puts his trust in Him!" I am happy!

Globe baby adventure...

2009-03-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

This is my new blog about my adventures involving the adoption of a houseful of children. When I was a little girl around age 6 I heard Heavenly Father whisper this purpose into my life. I knew then that, "I would have an orphanage when I grew up." I did not know exactly what it meant way back then but I do now. For years I stifled that whisper, that purpose, that hope, and pretended like I had never heard it. It is still there. In the stillnes of the night I hear it. Heavenly Father does not change his mind. Here I am, willing now to do what Heavenly Father called me to so long ago. Finally, I will follow. By His grace I will fill my house with children and they will have a home where love is. This blog is about my new adventure on the global road with Father. I have started living! Thank you Father!