FACING EMINENT TRANSFER
Those are words that should never be written about a child. Especially one as frail, tender, and lovely as Janna.
Janna is living on borrowed time at the orphanage. She is 8 years old, which is years beyond when most kids get transferred to mental institutions.
I have never personally seen a mental institution in Eastern Europe, but the first hand accounts I have read about are horrendous. And those of you who have read about our Daniel know that a "laying room" is already horrible enough, if you wonder how it could get worse for a child you can read this post and this post or watch this documentary.
This is quite possibly Janna's last chance to have any life outside the bars of a crib. And I have no idea if she would even survive the inside of a mental institution. I wish I were exaggerating, sadly I don't think I am.
FACING EMINENT TRANSFER
I will never forget reaching slowly in her crib to touch her and watching her whole body flinch as if I were going to hit her. Could it be that she was so afraid of human contact? Once she accepted my touch it was as if I could feel her relief. I still, even a year later, struggle to find the words to articulate how she reacted to gentle touch. It was like her whole body melted in relief and appreciation. I still cry thinking of it. How could a child be so starved for affection?
You can read more about my time with Janna here but there is one thing I firmly believe, she would be a beautiful addition to someones family. I know it can be confusing and scary considering adopting a child with a more 'severe' special need. The last thing I want to do in this post is make it sound easy, it is not. But as I sit here and watch Daniel build a tower with blocks, I can say it is a journey worth taking. For any family considering adoption Janna (and please Father, may there be families) I want to tell you that despite her melancholy look in her pictures, I did see some spunk in her. She was eager to smile. She was eager for touch and attention. I never once saw her get upset. She had such a sweet and gentle disposition. When she was given a chance to move around she loved looking at herself in the mirror and found delight in it. She looks so frail, but she is stronger then she appears.
If anyone reading this feels even the tiniest desire or stirring in their soul to help this beautiful child, please pray about adopting her. Here is her profile on Reece's Rainbow and right now she has a $6,078.81 grant to help a family adopt her. I would be happy to talk more with anyone about her, just comment below. I have to approve comments so I will not make public any one's comment looking for more info on her.
Someone considering adopting her is, I believe, literally considering saving her life.
What sweet mansions and streets of gold this precious girl has waiting for her in heaven ~ "So the last will be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16) ~ but what an extra special blessing it would be for one of us to show her the Father's love here on earth.
FACING EMINENT TRANSFER
Learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow's cause.
~Isaiah 1:17
