Send up those prayers!

I just got off the phone with Patty and she had a VERY positive meeting with the acting Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Nothing is for sure yet, so we need a lot of prayers going up that those with the power to do so will grant Alvin permission to go!

Alvin is still experiencing chest pains. Our goal is to have him out of here on Wednesday. Please, please, PLEASE pray this happens!

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Alvin and Secret

Alvin is hanging in there...though he is still experiencing chest pain. Please continue to pray that he will get over this infection and be able to sleep in the night (that is when he is in the most pain). Thankfully he has been eating well and appeared to be in good spirits when I visited him today.

(Look at that face... I can't imagine suffering what he is going through!)

Unfortunately there were no major breakthroughs today. Alvin is miraculously hanging in there and AOH keeps plugging away at everything that needs to be done for him to be adopted.

Alvin was thrilled today to see his passport! It is a tangible step in the right direction for this 13 year old. I was able to visit Alvin today and read him a few chapters of a book I gave him the other day (actually a children's book my mom has written about Liberia). He seems to be enjoying the story and is very happy for visits from those he knows.

Patty will be meeting with Lydia from the Ministry of Health tomorrow concerning Alvin.

In this fight for Alvin we are not forgetting about Secret, one of our abandoned special needs babies that was placed with us by the Ministry of Health. Secret has hydrocephalus, a very serious medical condition that will lead to his death without medical intervention that is not available in Liberia. Secret is also running out of time. He has an adoptive family waiting to bring him home. Despite the nationwide moratorium on adoption, we hope the government will have compassion on Alvin and Secret, and any others like them, before it is too late.

Please remember our fund set up for Alvin to assist with the many expenses involved in this process and his care. Also we still have not been able to find a good flight option. Please continue to keep all these things in your prayers.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

"I want to live. Help me live."

Alvin is still experiencing chest pain (most likely an infection). He had trouble sleeping again last night due to this new problem that developed a few days ago.

It seems that with each step we make forward, Alvin makes a step backwards in his health. Acres of Hope is making progress but the government of Liberia is going to have to move fast if Alvin is going to make it to the US on time.

Last night Patty met with Honorable Gaye, who is the Chairman of the Health and Social Welfare Committee in the House of Representatives. They discussed Alvin's situation, then went together to visit the boy at the hospital. Though it is great that Honorable Gaye has expressed concern, there is still a lot that needs to happen before Alvin has completed the necessary steps to make it to his new family in the states. We are praying Honorable Gaye uses all the influence he has, especially considering Alvin and Honorable Gaye are from the same village.

I personally have been very impressed with all Alvin's mother has done to save her son's life. Alvin and his mother are the ones who asked Acres of Hope to advocate for them before the government. Alvin has called officials himself, begging them to do what is in their power to get him the help he needs. When Alvin met Honorable Gaye last night he bravely told him "I want to live. Help me live." Can you imagine fighting for your own life like that? And at 13!

Our organization has continued to be in contact with the appropriate government offices and officials. Some good news is we now have his passport! Roland with Water of Life and Alvin's mother were able to get the passport today in record timing! We are so grateful to have Roland around, specifically today by driving Alvin's mother around. Alvin's mother is actively taking part in this process in the hopes that Alvin will finally make it to America. She knows the only possible way to save her sons life is care outside of the country, specifically life long medical care in the United States.

An independent journalist has also been following Alvin's case and is writing a story about the sadness of losing a little special needs boy named Matthew, in the hopes that Alvin's case won't be a repeat of this tragedy.

We have been looking into emergency flights for Alvin and so far what we have found is shockingly and impossibly expensive. Keep praying that we will find a feasible option for Alvin's flight, for when he is granted the approval to go.

Again remember to pray for Alvin's health, the approval that Alvin still needs to receive before adoption, and that we would find a safe and speedy way to get Alvin to his family in America.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Alvin Update

Alvin is dying.

Have you thought about Alvin like that? As you see his picture in the comfort of your home, from the screen of your computer, has that hit you? As it is we don't know how Alvin has survived this long. But last night Alvin was awake - and crying - most of the night due to a new pain. Chest pain. No doubt he has developed some infection in his chest due to the many hours each day he spends lying down. He is receiving care from a hospital, and we advised him on the importance of spending as much time as possible sitting up (can you imagine sitting when your butt and hips were in that condition???) but the fact remains, Alvin is dying. Each day his risk for not making it is increased. Each day his health becomes more precarious. Each day he cries his little heart out, as his dream of a long life filled with family, friends - a future, dwindles along with his health.

What if this were your friend, your relative, your brother…your child? What lengths would you go to ensure his survival? How much money would you spend and how much emotional energy would you expend just to save his life? Alvin's birth mom is doing everything she can to save the life of her little boy. In the end, supposing Alvin survives long enough to be adopted, she will always - always - miss him. But "missing" him is far better than watching him die. Than knowing you did everything you could…yet it wasn't enough. To ACHE for your loss. This is the horrible dilemma far too many parents in Africa are faced with. But by God's grace, there may be a way for Alvin to be saved. By God's grace, Alvin's mother knew of some place to go for help. Acres of Hope. Acres of Hope and other similar organizations in Liberia are fighting to save the lives of desperate children. Many, many, many of the children don't make it. Sometimes help isn't found before it's too late. Sometimes they don't make it out of the country to better medical care in time. Right now many people are fighting for Alvin. We are doing everything we know to do to save this child. Will you join us in this fight? Will you pray for Alvin and the many children like him who are desperate for help? And when Alvin either dies or makes it to the states with his adoptive family, will you fight to save the others? God has allowed Alvin to suffer this terrible condition for a reason. Search your hearts…go before the Lord in prayer. Ask yourself and God what reason He has allowed you to stumble across Alvin's story.

"The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern."

Proverbs 29:7

Yesterday I was able to meet with Alvin again. I wanted to get him ice cream, which is sold in carts around town, but I had to meet with one of the ladies I am counseling before meeting with Alvin. When I got to the hospital lo and behold - there was an ice cream cart! Needless to say Alvin was happy to get the treat! I spent about an hour with Alvin sharing stories of Jesus, his love for those in need, and how he stooped down to heal those in the most desperate condition. How he touched the diseased with his bare hands. How he loves his children immeasurably. Though Alvin sees people fighting to save his life, his condition is so horrible and

something he has to deal with every moment of every day, it is easy for him to get discouraged. Alvin needs to be reminded daily of how much Jesus loves him and how Jesus is fighting for Alvin, even when he may not be able to see progress from day to day. Right as I was finishing Patty and my mother showed up! You should have seen the grin that spread across Alvin's face when he saw his Grandma Patty walk in! He loves her so much…and Patty loves Alvin like her own child.

Roland from Water of Life arrived last night. He and his organization are ready to do whatever they can to help get Alvin the help he needs. What an encouragement for Alvin to see this person who has come all the way from America to help him.

Also super exciting for Alvin was to receive pictures and a Bible Story book sent by his new family.

Alvin is a very, very strong boy. As his body wastes away day by day, he still manages to put a smile on his face. As his bare bones are being sprayed with alcohol during the changing of his dressings, he gasps and grunts, but doesn't cry. He is a fighter. He wants to live.

Please do what you can to help him. Do what is in your power to help us, who are on the ground, save him.

The first thing all of you can do is PRAY. Pray for Alvin and the process that needs to be completed before Alvin can make it to life saving medical care in the US. Pray for his health. That he would gain enough strength to travel to the US. That is chest pains would go away and is intestines would not actually fall out of his back (they are visible now, but still in his body).

You can GIVE. Donate towards Alvin's needs through paypal by clicking here.

Finally, don't be afraid to shoot an EMAIL to aoh.savinglives@gmail.com with any info you have that could be of use for getting Alvin to the US. Specifically we are in need of an emergency flight, a more direct flight, or any form of air transport that will get Alvin the most speedily and safely to the US.

Please become a part of Alvin's story.

"Learn to do right!

Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.

Defend the cause of the fatherless,

plead the case of the widow."

Isaiah 1:17

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Keep Praying For Alvin!

We continue to work very hard on Alvin's behalf. Patty has been to many offices, called many prominent individuals, and written many letters. Alvin's birth mom has gone personally to some of the most important offices to advocate for the life of her precious son. At least one other organization is officially stepping in to help us. We are doing everything we know to do...We just pray in the end it is enough to save Alvin.

I (Melodie) was able to spend about an hour counseling Alvin today. I am trained in Biblical counseling and it is my joy to bring hope to the hurting. It was hard at first for little ol' me, who has faced little to no "real" suffering in my life, to counsel Alvin on suffering and the Believer, death, and Heaven. Yet thankfully I am counseling from the everlasting truths of the Word of God, and not my own personal experiences. I teared up at the beginning (being more sensitive after seeing his dressings being changed) and then his mother started tearing up, and then Alvin, in classic teenager fashion said "You aren't going to cry again Mom, are you?" Alvin is very intelligent and I spoke to him as if he were an adult. He really listened to what I had to say, was alert and responsive to my questions, and had a really good question of his own at the end. What a privilege to play this small part in Alvin's story.

The sore on Alvin's lower back has deteriorated to the point that some of his intestine is visible and the nurses have to be extra careful when dressing the sores so the intestines don't come out! A wonderful nurse's aid, who happens to be the wife of a very dear friend of my family (who we know from the Baptist Mid Mission's Bible school) came back to work from sick leave and immediately took up the task of changing Alvin's dressings - a job the rest of the nurses refused to do (the doctor had been changing them up till now). What a blessing for me to walk in and see Lucy caring so tenderly for this special boy. I can really see God leading many people to help Alvin.

Alvin has been so sweet during all of this. He called Patty today telling her how worried he was about how hard she was working to fight for him, how he thought she was loosing a lot of weight and clearly stressing about Alvin's condition. Here he is, wasting away, worried about the healthy person who is trying to save him! He really is such a sweet boy.

We would like to emphasize again the fund we have set up for Alvin. The money received will go towards things like his medical care in country, travel expenses to get him out of the country, and medical expenses in the US. Click here to donate.

Please continue to pray for Alvin:

-That he will continue to be strong and corageous through this horrible trial.

-That he will not deteriorate any more physically, and he would gain more weight and become stable enough for travel.

-That those fighting for Alvin will know who to go to and what to say.

-That God would move the hearts of those who have the power to let Alvin travel to the USA.

Thank you for following Alvin's story and for keeping him in your prayers!

-Melodie (AoH Volunteer)

Alvin Update

Praise the Lord, an adoptive family has stepped forward for Alvin! While this is wonderful, we are running out of time. Alvin's condition is deteriorating rapidly and this is a holiday weekend, meaning it will be hard to get any paperwork done (already we have faced difficulties regarding this). We are looking into any option we can to get Alvin the medical care he needs, whether that means flying him to another African country first, medevac or a new idea. We don't think he would be able to travel far in his current condition. Please continue to pray for Alvin! He really wants to live and it is breaking his heart to hear, yet gain, that we have not been able to find a life saving solution to his problems.

If you know of any information or organization that may be able to help, please email aoh.savinglives@gmail.com right away.

-Melodie (AoH Volunteer)

EMERGENCY! Please Help Alvin!!!

WARNING - Graphic medical pictures below-

This is a little boy named Alvin who is in critical condition. Alvin is 13 years old and previously had Tuberculosis of the spine. Alvin was successfully treated at the TB Annex in Congo Town but due to complications of his illness, remained there much longer than his treatment required. While Alvin was so sick, lying in bed for so long, he developed bedsores. These bedsores grew and grew until the flesh was eaten away and now bone is visible! Alvin has bedsores on both hips, his lower back and between his knees. His bed sore on his right hip is so bad that all the muscle has wasted away, his hip has been dislocated, and his femur bone actually slips out of his body about once a day and has to be pushed back in by a doctor! I don't know how Alvin is even still alive.

Alvin is available for adoption and is in need of an adoptive home. He needs help ASAP, which means the family needs to be homestudy ready and have a hospital and insurance lined up for his care. Patty has been working very hard to save this little boy's life and has put together a plea for him here in Liberia. Thankfully, the government is ready to push his case through if we can find an adoptive home.

If Alvin can't leave Liberia soon, an American surgeon feels he should remove Alvin's right leg at the hip, since the ball and joint are no longer together. He also said he would use the skin from the leg he removes to cover some of the other bad areas that need skin grafting.

Alvin is a very sweet boy. He is smart, can read, and loves school and learning. He is described as a peacemaker and knows the Lord as his personal Savior. Based on what we know of Alvin it is clear he is a very special boy and would be a huge blessing to an adoptive family.

Right now he is grieving because he was told that his leg would probably have to come off. Please pray for this young man that God would give him the strength necessary to face the challenges of loosing his leg, if it comes to that. Also pray that if it is God's will, He would provide another way to save Alvin's life, and that he would one day have complete healing. If you can help Alvin or know anyone who might be able to help, please send an email to aoh.savinglives@gmail.com as quickly as possible. A fund has been send up to support Alvin's medical needs. Click here to donate towards that through paypal, or email the address above for more details or another form of payment.

Below are some pictures of Alvin and his condition. We did not know if we should share these pictures since they are so awful, yet - this is Alvin's reality. Why should you sit comfortably on your computer by not having to look at something so nasty, while Alvin has to face every moment of his day suffering like this?

The watermark I put on the blog pictures says "Acres of Hope...where new life begins..." Please pray with me that Alvin would have a chance for new life...

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

"Right Over"

The kids at our orphanage LOVE playing outdoor games.

The Laird family has been coming over on Saturdays to play with the kids (which the kids love, of course) and I go over every Wednesday with my 13 year old brother Jared and 14 year old sister Heidi. When we go over on Wednesdays our time with the kids involves game time:

story time (the kids also really enjoy stories and looking at pictures):

and then spending time holding and playing with the babies in the baby room.

Probably the kids' all time favorite game is Red Rover. Now in Liberian English (which is actually quite different, in my opinion, than American English), and with a Liberian accent, Red Rover is very hard to say. So the words that actually come out sound more like "right over" then "red rover". The other day as we were playing this game, the kids were shouting to their friends "Right over, right over, we call Mercy over!" and I realized they think the game is called "Right Over"! After all, what is a "red rover" anyway, and why wouldn't the game be called "right over" since that's what they are doing; calling someone over to their side!?

-Melodie, AOH Volunteer

We have a blog!

Welcome to the Acres of Hope blog! We decided to start a blog to keep adoptive parents, supporters, and anyone interested in our ministry, regularly updated on our day to day activities. We hope to post at least once a week. Thanks for stopping by!