{who's next}

after taking cameron and andrew to foster homes and hearing the news that a family was committed to adopting brooke, my dad asked me, "who's next?" he knows that i often have (at least) one child that i'm strongly advocating for (beyond just adoption, but with some sort of unique medical needs); he wanted to know who the next one was.

at the time i didn't have anyone in particular. however, within the last 48 hours, two different children's need have come to my attention.

the first is a little girl with severe scoliosis who i'm gonna call esther. i actually met her a few weeks ago while traveling with some staff from nightlight. she was one of the children we interviewed for the summer hosting program.  

upon laying my eyes on her, it was clear that she needed an orthopedic evaluation and intensive physical therapy. not only was her spine contorted in a way that looked painful (although she denied), when listening to her talk or sing it was clear that her lung capacity was compromised from the curve as well; her voice was very soft and she needed to take a breath every 1-2 seconds to get the words out.

well, i got news this morning that a proposal is being put together for her to come to the states for the very purpose of medical treatment. (she lives in a province where leaving the country without being adopted/for medical treatment might be permissible.) the email was asking if i had any idea what the cost might be and for possible contacts at shriner's or other appropriate medical institutions. (i've already sent 2 emails.)  

the second is a baby girl (hope) with biliary atresia (similar to brooke) who is being housed in a neighboring city's orphanage. she too has been given a very poor prognosis (which she's already outlived) from the local physicians and, from the sounds of it, needs a life-saving miracle. the friend who met her is familiar with brooke's story and told me about her; we've been brainstorming ideas to help save her. (we should have updated labs and an ultrasound by tomorrow.) please read more about her and see pictures in link below:

http://itsamercifullife.blogspot.com/2014/12/knowing-hope.html?spref=fb

i have NO idea what god has in store for these 2 precious girls with very different medical needs. on one hand, doubt enters in and i question if god would do it again? would he move mountains and orchestrate details (that seem impossible) to provide them with life-giving medical treatment. but on the other hand, i've witnessed him do amazing things these past 3 months, so why should i (even for a second) doubt his abilities or, even more specifically, his willingness to do it again?

these two children weren't on my radar and aren't even at this orphanage, but i think esther and hope might be the answer to my dad's question of "who's next?" join me in praying for them while i work to network and help advocate for their needs.