Faith

Nearly three weeks ago, I saw this precious face for the very first time.  Immediately, my heart fell in love.  I was drawn to her like a magnet - couldn't get her off my mind.  My love for this girl is overwhelming...it was -and still is -my hope and prayer to adopt her.  I have made several calls and prayed more prayers than I ever thought possible, but for several reasons it is unlikely that I will be able to call her "daughter."  It was a difficult answer to hear, but I continue to trust that God is working in both of our lives.  Maybe, just maybe, I was drawn to her - not to be her Momma, but to be one who would impact her life in a major way...from afar.  If God has drawn me to her for just such a reason, that will be blessing enough.

Let me tell you more about her.  Her name is Faith - and boy is she growing mine!  Faith was born January 20, 2009.  She has a large hole in the lower part of her heart- the medical term is VSD.  This condition requires surgery.  Currently, she is being cared for in a special care foster home in Beijing - Morning Star Family Home.  This foster home is run by an American couple named Bill and Lynsay Lewis.  They have a tremendous heart for the Lord and for the cause of the orphan.  Faith was brought to them from an orphanage just a few months after birth.  Though she was malnourished at first, she is gaining weight and is the light of the home!  There's not a picture of her anywhere without that bright smile!  It is their prayer - and mine - that she will remain in stable condition and gain a bit more weight prior to surgery.  She weighs about 15 pounds now and they are hoping that she will be able to reach about 20 pounds prior to surgery.  Lynsay said that it is likely that they will schedule her surgery close to the beginning of the year.  It will be important for her to have this surgery before her size begins to cause difficulty on her heart.  The surgery will cost about $5,000. (USD)

I began fervently praying for someone with $5,000 to come forward willing to pay for her surgery.  Then, my friend Tanya made such a wise suggestion.  I was feeling so sad that it seemed unlikely for me to be her Momma.  Tanya suggested doing something positive...making sure that they had the money needed to provide the surgery for this baby to live.  I may not be her Momma, but I sure can do my best to pull together friends, family, and strangers to give this little one what she needs!

So friends, I need your help!  Very few people have $5,000 laying around, but LOTS of us have $20 or more that we could give to make a difference.  I know and trust that the money you give will go directly to provide this surgery for Faith.  Would you please, please, join with me in making a difference for Faith.  It is my goal to raise this money - at least $5,000 by December 31, 2009. 

No, I may not be her Momma - although I am still praying about that, but at least...at least I will know that I did something to make a positive impact for someone else.  You can be a part of that too!

I have created a Chip in where you can donate - right here!  just Click the chip in on the right hand side of the blog.  Or you can go directly to Morning Star's site to make your donation via PayPal.  But don't stop there...in order to make certain that it does go toward Faith's surgery, send a quick email to Bill and Lynsay indicating that you made a donation for Faith.  Or, if you want to send a check or give me cash, you are welcome to do that...just email me maxandemma@btes.tv and I will add it all in! I can't wait to see what we can raise - together - for Faith.  Any extra raised will also go to help babies at Morning Star!

Praying in FAITH that together we will raise this money!