Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc.

HANDinHAND has just awarded a matching grant to help bring another son home to his forever family.  Brad and Tammy are hoping to bring their son home soon.  They just needed a little help with some of the expenses associated with getting him home to America so HANDinHAND has awarded them a matching grant to help make that happen.  HANDinHAND is  excited that we can help another little boy get home to his "forever" family.  Please be praying that the last details will come together smoothly to get this family together forever.

Well, Jason and Isaiah arrive home on Thursday, December 11.  It was obvious to us that Isaiah was extremely malnourished and was possibly dehydrated.  Please know that his mother did the very best she could for this little guy.  His severe hydrocephalus is the main cause of his malnourishment.  We brought him straight to Children's Mercy to be examined.  We were rushed ahead of a room full of patients.  Once they examined him and did a CT scan of his head, they admitted him.  His number one problem is his need for nourishment.  The neurologist said he will not even consider a shunt until he has some meat on his bones.  According to this doctor, a shunt will only make taking care of him easier for us as it will decrease the weight of his head significantly.  He feels that the most likely cause of his hydrocephalus was infection either while his mother was pregnant or shortly after.  The infection most likely began the destroying process of his brain and the hydrocephalus is completing the destruction.  His prognosis is that he will never recover and will always be totally dependent for everything.  His estimated life span was 5 to 8 years.  He felt like 8 years would be rare for him to live that long.  His environment will have a lot to do with it.  No matter what, he will be loved!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Jason landed on African soil this morning.  They are 6 hours ahead of us.  I haven't heard anything from him yet.

He should meet Isaiah and his mom tomorrow.  He will have his exit interview on Tuesday and will fly out of Liberia with Isaiah on Wednesday. He will arrive at the airport on Thursday evening.  We will meet them at the airport with open arms.

We are still planning on taking Isaiah straight to Children's Mercy to have him checked out.  We don't know at this point whether they will keep him or schedule his surgery for a later date.

Welcome to your "forever" family Isaiah!!

Jaylee's family is the first family HANDinHAND was able to help with our Matching Grant program.  Jaylee came home in February of 2008 and despite some hospital visits and heart surgery in July is going strong and as her mom says, is getting so big.  They do grow up quickly.  Continue to pray for Jaylee and her family.

National Adoption Month is held in November to celebrate family and to bring about awareness of the many children waiting to become a part of a "forever" family.

Though National adoption Month primarily focuses on children in our foster care system, we also realize that in addition to the 100,000 plus children in the U.S. waiting for a family there are 143 million orphans worldwide in need of the love and stability a family can bring.

James 1:27 tells us that "pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress refusing to let the world corupt you."  We belive as Christians we are commanded to care whether that be in becoming an adoptive family or financially supporting those who make that decision.

HANDinHAND cares by partnering with adoptive families to help carry the burden of the cost of adoption through grants and the raising of support.  You can care by becoming an adoptive parent or by financially supporting HANDinHAND as we help children become part of "forever" families.