As many of you know, after I graduated from High School I went to Ecuador, South America to serve in the orphanages there. It's been nearly 7 years ago this March that I left. It was THE MOST fulfilling, rewarding, eye-opening BLESSING I have ever had the privilege of experiencing. I never knew ya know? I never knew a lot...and I learned so much. I realize that doesn't make sense, but it's hard to put in words. Ever since then children, orphans, and adoption have held a very dear place in my heart. And they forever will. In light of the recent tragedy that has befallen on Haiti, I have been feeling particularly heavy with heartache for the children.
Today I learned of more tragedy that has befallen upon this country and these beloved and blessed children. Because of the Trauma the country has suffered, an increasingly large amount of children are being taken to the Orphanages. Parents who fear their children will starve take their beloved little ones here in hope of giving them the only thing they can...a chance of survival. To them, the orphanages are a Godsend.
Yet the conditions of the orphanages often consist of concrete floors, and broken windows. There is no electricity, or running water. Due to the quake, the conditions are only worsening. More and more people are homeless and left with what they feel is no other option than to take their children to these orphanages. With this is arising more problems. Children are coming and going without paper-work etc. Because of the large numbers inhabiting and overwhelming these orphanages, authorities fear that some are taking advantage of the numbers and the chaos and selling children as servants and sex slaves. Trafficking is a multi-million dollar criminal network. It is real. My heart is breaking, I feel an actual ache for these sweet and perfect children. Sometimes I think we like to live in unawareness, and naivety, and it's OK. Other times, I think it's appropriate to realize the conditions of this world. Bend down on your knees and thank God for the life you have. And while you are there, will you please join me in saying a prayer for the Children?
7 comments:
Hey Ashley, I found your site through a friend of a friend and just read your post on Haiti. You have the biggest heart, ya know that? I love this post, and the fact that you are not afraid to post real pictures, and real truth. Unimaginable things have happened, and I pray for all those affected, especially for the children. Thanks for the reminder, and lets hope that as our prayers are offered up, the more blessings can rain down on this devastated city.
~A.
I wish we could do more, but one thing that our ward is doing is to make hygiene kits to send Haiti. Just doing something makes you feel like maybe with our prayers and our little efforts we can help. You can also donate on your tithing slip under humanitarian. The nice thing about this is that you know 100% of your money goes to help these poor children. Anyway, I agree, it is heartbreaking to see them suffer. Thanks for the reminder that we can all help.
I can't even imagine what these little ones are going through... my heart goes out to them. I know that our Father in Heaven is watching over them pray that they can endure this trial in their lives.
It breaks my heart too. I always wanted to serve in the orphanges, but my life took different turns. Someday I will.
Congrats on the new camera!! Mike got me a Nikon D90 for Christmas and I have been having a lot of fun playing with it.
It's so hard to understand all that has to happen and that does happen. Our community did a shoe drive and we got a TON of shoes to send their way. One thing, is with these innocent children they are totally innocent and Loved so greatly from our Heavenly Father. A family member of a friend of mine adopted a little boy from there and got to go and get him just after the tragedy. She is so overjoyed that nothing happened to him and those he was with. Prayer goes a long, long, long way!
So true! It's so sad for these little one's & all the people there. We will definitely remember them in our prayers :)
It is such a sad, sad, situation. I am so grateful for your post. I think helps people to remember what tragedy is out there. You know that this is close to my heart.
We felt so strongly that there was a little girl three years ago waiting for us in an orphanage. Their isn't a price you can put on the blessings and love that comes from helping one of these children. We love our daughter so much and I often think of what would have become of her if we hadn't been able to get her.
I also love this song. I first heard it shortly after returning from China. I am crying now as I listen to it because it is 'so close to my heart'.
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