Alvin in America

Now that Alvin is in America and safe with his new family, we will not be able to update the blog frequently like we were when he was in Liberia. But I will share any info I do come across. I know personally I really love to hear how the adopted kids are doing, and whenever possible, I have visited them in the states. Alvin's story is not finished yet and as I do receive updates I will be sure to post those here.

Alvin was able call Patty the other day and he just couldn't believe how clean the hospital was.

"Grandma, you wouldn't believe how clean it is!"

"Yes, I know, it is very clean."

"No, it's CLEAN."

Patty has been in many, many hospitals in her day, so she does know how clean an American hospital is, especially in comparison to a Liberian hospital! Alvin was also thrilled to have a TV in his room and enthralled by the wonder of a remote control.

Recently Alvin's adoptive mother shared that Alvin is in OK spirits but is missing his birth family and Patty. Alvin's new family is also hoping that he might be able to be moved to their home while he heals and waits for his reconstructive surgeries.

So now we know a little more specifically how to pray.

Alvin is a 13 year old so obviously completely remembers his life before he was adopted. He has a wonderful story to tell, and being adopted is his dream come true, but he will of course take some time to grieve the loss of his previous life. Please pray for a quick healing of his heart and that he will bond smoothly with his new family. Concerning his health, I can imagine the idea of a seemingly endless hospital stay is not very appealing to anyone right now. Also, the best way for Alvin to get to know his new parents and siblings is to be in a home setting (and it is much more interesting spending your days at home, as versus a hospital room). So pray with us that it would work for for Alvin to be at home while he gains more strength and waits for the doctors to make a decision on how to address his multiple open wounds.

Thanks again for following Alvin's story and to those of you who have prayed and donated financially. I know they still need money to be coming in towards the flight, so donate if you are able to. I will be sure to update the blog when all the money needed has come in.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Alvin's Miracle

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside,

and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,

but they shouted all the louder,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them.

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

(Matthew 20:30-34)

When Jesus came to earth as God made man, his purpose was to die on the cross for sinners - every human being that has ever lived. The sacrifice of a perfect person was the only acceptable offering for a righteous God. Because of Christ's suffering everyone who confesses their sin and accepts Jesus as their personal Savior can be saved from eternal damnation and look forward to an eternity with God in Heaven.

In Jesus' first recorded sermon he said

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

(Luke 4:18-19)

Christ accomplished so much during his time on earth (before he died on the cross, then was raised back to life, and soon after ascended back to Heaven). Miracles were a major part of his ministry.

The purposes of Christ's miracles were twofold. "First, they revealed the sovereignty, power, and glory of God and of His Son. Second, they revealed mankind's desperate need. His healings expose the devastation caused by sin, as well as God's power and will to repair such sin-wrought desolation and wretchedness." Another way to look at the first purpose is that "miracles are the testimony of God as to the nature and person of Jesus Christ." Miracles confirmed that Jesus was who he said he was.

While Jesus is not walking the earth in visible, human form today, he is every bit as much present and involved in our lives as he was with the individuals he healed in the Bible.

When a 13-year-old boy from Liberia, West Africa, lay dying in a tuberculosis sanitarium, it seemed this child had been forgotten. When his bed sores had eaten away his flesh to the point that he bones and internal organs were visible, he could no longer walk, use the bathroom, roll over, or simply lay in a comfortable position, Alvin's future seemed hopeless, and death just around the corner.

On one of Patty's first visits to Alvin she thought he would die within a few days. Alvin asked Patty to sleep near him in the sanitarium (on the floor beside the bed) so that if Jesus came, when he saw a white person, He would be inclined to stop and see Alvin. Patty explained to Alvin that Jesus showed no preference for black or white skin, and then led Alvin through the plan of salvation, so that if Alvin were to pass away in the night, Jesus would indeed bring him home with Him to Heaven. Alvin accepted Jesus as his Savior that night and Patty slept on the hard cement floor beside him.

Alvin and his birth mom had been praying a long time for some way that Alvin's life could be spared. Some way for him to live the future he dreamed of and recover from his constant suffering. Through the ministry of Patty Anglin with Acres of Hope, Water of Life, various missionaries on the ground in Liberia, and a loving Christian family in America, the present day hands of Christ reached out to Alvin to save his precious life and bring him to a place where he can receive the most physical recovery possible on earth. Through this, along with financial donations, and the prayers of thousands of people, God has worked a modern day miracle in the life of a little child who thought he had been forgotten. Who thought Jesus only came to white people. Who thought his dreams to see life and a future in America would never come true.

Christ is still alive and well today, working in the lives of the great and the very, very small. I hope Alvin's story has convinced you that Jesus Christ is who he says he is, and he has great, great love and compassion for the physically suffering and spiritually lost.

As I stood watching Alvin's plane taxi toward the runway last night I realized I had just experienced one of those "once in a lifetime" days that you never, ever forget. Sometimes I just can't believe I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the hearts and lives of people here in Africa.

Here is Alvin's departure day in picture:

The flight ended up coming in late so Alvin left the country at about 5:50 PM (Wednesday, the 12th of August). It was raining most of the afternoon.

Unfortunately Patty was not able to actually come to the airport to see Alvin off as she had previously scheduled a really important meeting for Wednesday. This is the Alvin/Patty good bye picture. I love this one!

Leaving ELWA hospital.

Boarding the AOH ambulance.

He was very excited!

Roland from Water of Life saying his good byes.

Roland will see Alvin again soon since they

are (now) both from Greenville SC.

Alvin crying as the time approaches to

say good bye to his birth mother and siblings.

There it is!

Buster/Greg from AOH meeting the pilot and crew.

The pediatric nurse meeting Alvin and David, and discussing details.

The paramedic meeting Alvin.

Alvin's least favorite part.

Time to board!

One last smile for the camera before saying good bye.

The Jet ICU team was incredible and I know Alvin was in great hands.

This was Alvin's miracle.

Please remember to pray for Alvin's physical healing. He has a long road ahead of him. Also, continue to contribute to the flight fund, if you are able.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

In One Month

Almost exactly one month ago a desperately ill 13 year old boy asked Patty Anglin if she could help him.

Almost exactly one month ago Patty thought Alvin would die and prepared him to meet Jesus.

Almost exactly one month ago Patty cried in my living room for a precious little boy she didn't know if she could do anything to help.

Yesterday Alvin's dream came true when through Patty's tireless efforts combined with the partnering of many other individuals and organizations, and most importantly, a wonderful adoptive family, Alvin flew home to America.

This picture was taken by Patty almost one month ago.

And I took this one yesterday, as Alvin laid in the bed on the air ambulance right before he left.

Alvin's story is a true testimony of what can happen when the Body of Christ comes together in obedience to the Bible's many commands of caring for the suffering, the needy, and the orphaned. And while Alvin's life has been saved (provided he recovers in America), we are also changed by our obedience.

The internet was down last night and I am working on writing up a long post of Alvin's departure day, but I wanted to share this with you as soon as I could.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Alvin's Flight Home

The emergency medical flight is scheduled to come in at 2:45 this afternoon and should be leaving with Alvin approximately one hour later, after refueling. We are all so excited that Alvin is finally going home! This is truly a modern day miracle. Alvin leaving Liberia is the end of the beginning of Alvin's story.

I will be going to the airport with the Alvin in the AOH ambulance and plan to share all about the day (with pictures, of course) later this evening. God is so good and I am humbled to be a part of this amazing story.

Please remember to pray for Alvin on this last, though major, part of his journey home. He will be in the very best of hands on the air ambulance, but flight can be hard on the body and Alvin's health is very precarious. Also pray for wisdom and alertness for the flight crew, and strength for Alvin's biological mom as she says good bye. Only one other person is allowed to travel with the patient, so that will be Alvin's adoptive dad.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

We Have The Visa!!!!

Praise the Lord we have Alvin's visa IN HAND as of just a few minutes ago! It was processed yesterday and Acres of Hope just picked it up. This means Alvin is free to leave the country and enter America! The air ambulance service has been notified and hopefully Alvin will be able to fly out tomorrow!!! I am really hoping I can be there to see Alvin off and of course take pictures that I can share with all of you who have become a part of Alvin's amazing story.

GOD IS GOOD!!!

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Orphanage Life

Here are some pictures of our kids in their everyday lives.

The babies during playtime on the porch:

The kids during a rousing game of "Red Light Green Light":

Listening so nicely during story time in the morning:

Beating the drum for song and dance time:

Chillin' in the nursery:

Marveling at themselves in the screen of my sister's camera:

Game time in the courtyard:

Drawing a masterpiece on the magnadoodle:

Hanging out with friends:

Sitting at their cute desks:

I will be posting more pictures like these from time to time to give you a little glimpse into the lives of our orphans.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Alvin's Visa

(This post was prepared for Friday night but due to no internet (again), it is late. My apologies.)

On the list of things to do today was to pick up Alvin's visa medical report, and then head on over to the embassy to process Alvin's United States visa. Well, as Patty was at the hospital picking up the report, the embassy called and said to head over as fast as they could as they would process Alvin's paperwork in 20 minutes (the embassy is about 20 minutes from this hospital, with zero traffic). Since this case is an emergency, and Alvin's paperwork represents Alvin the person, Patty felt this would be a time to use the AOH ambulance. So they were able to speed through traffic, park right in front of the embassy, and jump out. Only to be told sorry, they changed their minds and would process Alvin's paperwork on Monday instead. Patty reminded them that this was an emergency, but still they said it would have to be Monday. Oh well...at least they will be processing it at all (considering the nationwide moratorium on adoptions).

At this point we are hoping for Alvin to fly out on Tuesday, as it simply can't happen any sooner than that. The good news is we only have one more thing to do (acquire the visa) before Alvin will be cleared to travel to the US.

Again I ask that you would keep all these things in your prayers:

-Alvin's continued health

-That they would receive the visa on Monday as promised

-That the flight would arrive and leave as scheduled

-That the funds for the flight would come in

Thanks again for following Alvin's story. One day when this little boy, who thought he was forgotten, learns of all those who were fighting to get him home, he will realized how valued he is by God and us, His children.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Quick Flight Update

Sorry there was no update last night. The internet was down (this is Africa, after all).

I just wanted to quickly update you on the emergency medical flight situation and hopefully later today I will have a more substantial post.

The flight plans are now final, only the plans have changed again. But this is good news since now the cost is only (only...wow) $79,000. Continue to share Alvin's needs with your friends and family and get the word out that Alvin is worth it!

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Flight Update! The Good And The Bad

We have an emergency medical flight secured!! This is the good news. The bad news is the cost is $140,000. Unfortunately the other flight situation we were pursuing for much less is not going to work out. So get the word out! We need to raise much, much more than we had anticipated. If you are able to donate even $5 it will make a difference.

Alvin's adoptive dad, along with Patty (and possibly some other AOH staff) will be flying home with him on the emergency medical flight.

Paperwork is being processed and we are hoping to have Alvin out of here on Saturday. Alvin is hanging in there but as I mentioned before; he could take a turn for the worse at any moment. But we are trusting that God will spare Alvin and that he will be able to make it to his new family and the care he needs in the US. We are trusting that the staggering amount of $140,000 raised will be a great testimony of the Body of Christ coming together to save one of God's precious children. We are trusting that Alvin will grow to be a great testimony of God's goodness to the least of these, the seemingly forgotten. Don't loose your opportunity to become a part of this amazing story! Click here to donate now (specify "Alvin's Flight").

ALVIN IS WORTH IT!!!

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)

Levi

Meet Levi. Levi Hope, as Patty named him.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare placed Levi with Acres of Hope in March of 2007. He was abandoned in a local hospital. Abandonment of children, especially special needs children, is all too common here in Liberia.

(Levi, March '07, right before he was placed in our orphanage.)

Levi still does not have an adoptive family.

We don't know exactly how old Levi is, since he was found abandoned, but when he came to us

almost two and a half years ago, doctors said he was about 18 months old. Levi has been diagnosed with moderate to severe cerebral palsy, along with extreme developmental delays and microcephaly (and a few other possible problems). In my observation he behaves like a 2-3 month old. He is easy to please, eats a lot, and loves to be sung to. Levi's adoption fees have been reduced by $2000.

(Levi in October of 2007.)

When a Liberian mother of a child with severe special needs realizes her baby is not developing normally, and he is getting bigger and bigger, she has to find a solution for his care. (There is no way your average poverty-stricken Liberian woman can make an honorable living while having to care for a severely handicapped child at the same time). Healthy, normal children are abandoned as well, though this is not as common and usually it is small babies. Teen mothers, or simply those who feel they are unable to care for their child, will abandoned their babies under market tables, in boxes floating down rivers, or even on garbage piles or buried in a hole in the ground. It is a very sad reality. Poverty brings people do to do things one would never imagine in good conditions. Illiteracy, and a vast lack of Biblical training makes the options for these desperate women seem very few. Those who abandon their babies in hospitals actually love them. They know that the child will probably be placed in an orphanage, which is much more loving than leaving them on a garbage pile where they will die if no one finds them in time. (A newborn baby in our neighborhood was abandoned on a garbage pile a couple years ago. Unfortunately no one discovered her in time…)

The wonderful thing about adoption is that it gives these desperate single mothers (and sometimes fathers) a loving option for their children. Some people are surprised to learn our orphans usually have one living (or present) parent. But as you can see, adoption in Liberia is offering a loving option to those mothers who feel there is no way they can provide their child with the care they deserve and need to survive (like Alvin's mother). Adoption truly saves lives.

Though physically Levi's body is broken, he is a beautiful child that God has created for a purpose. His handicaps were not an accident and God has a plan for this little boy's life. While Levi will never be "normal" he is a testimony of God's love for the least of these, as his life was preserved, he was placed with an adoption agency, and God's children have become His hands and feet to care for this needy little one. The family who adopts Levi will be storing up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) as they give to someone who will never be able to repay them (Luke 14:13-24), as they reach out to the least of these with God's love (Matthew 25:40), and as they seek justice for the orphaned (Isaiah 1:17). Those who live in light of eternity are the wise ones on this earth.

Because of Alvin the Liberian government has decided to start processing special needs children for adoption, in spite of the moratorium. A homestudy ready family could bring Levi home very soon, if everything were to go as speedily and smoothly as we hope. Do you know of a family who could bring Levi home?

Is it you???

Contact Patty at aoh.savinglives@gmail.com for more information.

-Melodie (AOH Volunteer)