Formal Bloopers

Many of you have probably seen the pictures that we post here every couple of months. You know the ones, where the kiddos are sitting nicely, smiling beautifully and generally beaming.

Well this month, we're giving you a sneak peak into what goes on between those smiles. :)

First, there are the generally unimpressed...

Then there are those that are genuinely unhappy with the situation...

Still others just can't bring themselves to stay seated...

And some really want out of their costumes...

Then we have our shy guys...

And the girlies who interrupt someone else's photo session...

There are those who decide to leave early...

Or show off their best cheesy smiles...

Next are those who take "open your eyes" quite literally...

And finally those who just can't get enough of each other... 

Children of the Promise has given explicit permission for the posting of photos on this site.  Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.

Little Boy

This is a post that comes with strings attached. Because if you are reading it, I am praying that you will take action. What that action looks like is not up to me; I cannot pretend to know your situation, your heart, your ability. But what I do know is this - you are about to read the story of a little boy with incredible potential. A little boy who never ceases to entertain. A little boy who needs to know his value, his place, his future. 

A little boy who needs people praying for him… 

A little boy who needs people sponsoring him… 

A little boy who needs people who will always be there for him…

One day in January of last year, a little boy was admitted to COTP. He was typical in every way but one. He had spina bifida and so he could not walk.

I don’t want to write this story to invoke pity. I don’t want you to see him as a child with special needs. I want you to get to know him for who he is and who he was made to be.

Because when we see this little boy, we don’t see a disability or a diagnosis. We see a little boy who is the same as every other child. A toddler who blesses our lives like crazy.

Little boy loves to be a good friend. He is quick to console those who are hurting and will offer a pat on the back or a kiss on the cheek without hesitation. He seeks out his friends and knows who his people are. He might even get into a little trouble with those friends. ;)

Little boy loves to talk. He is constantly chattering and telling stories. Before he was actually verbal, he talked so much that visitors were convinced he was fluent in Creole and nannies were convinced he was fluent in English.

Little boy loves to play. He can ride his plasma car like a champion and is quick to help his friends learn. He loves books and repeating the words. He loves coloring with crayons.

Little boy loves to improve. He is always pushing himself, seeing if he can make his legs work to climb up on the bench or ride the tricycle. He loves to practice standing and try to take some independent steps.

Little boy loves to laugh. He loves to play tickling games. He loves to cover his eyes and play, “Where are you?” finishing with a big reveal of his smiling face.

Little boy loves to cuddle. He always wants the first spot on my lap, even trying to tell me that the child in front wants to get down so that he can move forward.

We love this little boy. We are praying for sponsors to prayerfully and financially cover his stay here at COTP. And we are praying for his future.

He has blessed our lives so much and we want nothing but the best for them. Every day he is with us, we will love him, hold him, and pray for him. He is incredible and so much fun. 

Little boy is looking for some more sponsors to regularly support him. To learn more about this opportunity, check out the following link: http://childrenofthepromise.org/child-sponsorship/

Children of the Promise has given explicit permission for the posting of photos on this site.  Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.

J's Story

J was abandoned at a local hospital when he was a baby. Like so many of our kids with special needs, his family probably started to realize that his development was not like other kids. At a year old, he wasn’t taking his first steps, saying his first words or starting to feed himself. 

He was different. And as is so often the case, J’s differences were not seen as a good thing. His family was probably told, over and over, that J’s special needs were the result of sin or a curse placed on his family. Neighbors probably mocked, questioned and judged. Even those who didn’t were likely to recommend orphanage care for J, recognizing the challenges, but not understanding the potential.  

I have no doubt that his parents loved their little boy. That they had big plans for him and wanted the absolute best for him. But they had no resources. No specialists to help understand J’s special needs. No support groups to talk through their experience in parenting him. No equipment to help support J’s sitting, eating or bathing. No school programs to help him learn.

And so they made the heartbreaking decision to give away their little boy, leaving him in the hospital with the hope that someone would take him and raise him. With the hope that someone, somewhere would be able to give J everything that they couldn’t. With the hope that they were making the right decision.

J came to us when he was just a year old. Last month, we celebrated his eighth birthday. We love celebrating J, but every year, especially on that day, our hearts are a little sad because we have to acknowledge that it is another year J has spent without a forever family. And if we’re being really honest on these birthdays, our hearts are also a little doubtful that J will be one of the chosen ones. It’s what we want for him. It’s what he deserves. It’s what he needs. He was designed for a family and we want that so much for him, even though we doubt sometimes. We want someone who will claim him as their forever son and will love him and advocate for him with everything that they are.

J has been with us longer than any of our other kids. If you’ve ever been to COTP, you’ve probably met him, and he’s probably smiled at you. J is an absolute sweetheart who is almost always happy. He may not be able to talk, but he is an excellent communicator. If his friend K is sick for a few days, J smiles less. If you don’t greet J when you walk into his house, he’ll watch you until you do. If you are sitting with him and put him down before he’s ready, he’ll cry until you pick him up again. If you give him medicine and he doesn’t want it, he will spit it back out. If you sing, “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” he will instantly grin. If the other kids offer him kisses on the cheek, his face will light up with a smile.

This little boy is definitely a blessing. He is pushing us to do more, to be better. He is teaching us to love well, advocate passionately and pray continually. He is so much more than just a child with special needs. He’s a little boy created in the image of his God and we absolutely love that about him.

 



Children of the Promise has given explicit permission for the posting of photos on this site.  Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.