June 22, 2007

Today we went to the baby house in Vladimir. The baby house serves as a home to 108 babies from birth to 4 years of age. I didn't know what to expect today, but I knew it would be a difficult visit emotionally. When we drove up to the site, I could see the cribs and children standing in their cribs. It's then that my heart starting sinking. How could such beautiful babies be left without parents to care for them?

Once we entered the building, we broke into groups and our group got to tour the facility. We all had to put on blue booties over our shoes. I was once again amazed at the cleanliness of the facility. The director gave us an in-depth tour and talked about the on-going needs of the facility..the need for medication and diapers is huge. The Baby House only has a few cupboards of medications for over 100 babies. The government only gives orphanages $1 per day for all of their needs. Please pray that the government will allow orphanages to receive more funding for medications.

After the tour, we got to go in three different rooms to see children. In the first room, I took on to a little girl. I don't remember her name. She had crossed eyes and the caretaker said that she has Down's Syndrome. Alot of the children in this facility had physical and mental handicaps. This child had a pacifier in her mouth that she wouldn't let go of until the last 5 minutes I was there! She was so precious. She wasn't strong enough to hold up her head yet. I did not want to let her go.

In the next room I was yet again drawn to another girl with Down's Syndrome.

When we entered this room the children were getting ready to eat so we didn't get to spend alot of time with them.

In the very last room we went in, we got to see older children who were 2 through 4 years old so I got to build with blocks with this girl.

It was hard leaving the baby house today and wondering how many of those children would be adopted. When we were there, in some of the rooms, the caretakers told us that babies are adopted from this orphanage...one was going to France and one to the US. Pray that each of these children will be able to be raised in a loving home outside the walls of an orphanage.

After lunch we went to the Vladimir Regional Center for Families and Children. It has over 40 children and 30 adults. Unfortunately this site was a short visit. Their "folk group" children performed a dance and song. Their outfits were beautiful! Here are two of the girls with their CarePacks that we gave them.

We were unable to do any presentations with this group. For some reason, after we handed out the CarePacks everyone left the room. We were able to minister though through providing the center with items they requested.