Heavy hearts

Doug and I have had heavy hearts since returning from Africa.  We cannot forget the children we left behind in the orphanage there, the same one our daughter lived in (you can read more here).  Out of the three orphanages our adoption agency works with in Africa, 5 children died of starvation the week after we came home.  The African country we have adopted from has put a hold on letting children go home with their new families for up to 12 more months.  A family who returned to the U.S. illegally "re-homed" a child that wasn't "working out".  The African country found this info through the internet and needless to say was very upset.  It has been suggested we do not use the country's specific name on the internet or social media as to not upset them more.  These orphans have moved our hearts so much that we are organizing fundraisers to provide basic needs such as food and medicine (more details to come in the next month).  We can't forget those little faces thirsting for someone to give them love and attention.  I see this little girl's smile (below) in my mind all the time.  She appears to be under 5 years old, but, due to many years of malnourishment, when she smiles her teeth reveal she is 2 or 3 years older.  These orphans reality is survival and possibly death before they turn 5 years old.  That could have been our Della's story, but God is good, and He moves in lives.  Della shows me what it truly feels and looks like when God adopts us into His family!