The Story of the Starfish

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean." "I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man. To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one." 

I love this story of the starfish. As an adoptive family that advocates for the orphan, we are sometimes asked why we do what we do if we can't save them all. Well, let me tell you, I'm so glad Jesus doesn't have that approach with us. I'm so glad God didn't say, "I know they aren't all going to come to me, so it's not worth it to save any of them." 

Our Zoe was an orphan in the sea of the 147 Million faces, but she's not an orphan any more! She's our daughter. 

The first picture we saw of Zoe - March 2010

Zoe at Christmas 2012

"If I look at the masses, I will never act. If I look at the one, I will." ~ Mother Teresa

God has brought us another ONE to love. It's not the plan I had, but it is the plan HE had. It's in the form of an 11 year old boy waiting in Eastern Europe for his rescue. I believe in redemption. I believe in rescuing and freeing a heart. I believe that making a difference for the ONE is enough - it's worth it! 

Victors during his hosting in North Carolina - Christmas 2012

"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It's easier to pretend they are not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes." 
~ David Platt

It's time for a rescue. There's really no other way to put it. The future of an orphaned child in Latvia is bleak. This child asked his Christmas host mom to help him find a family. I cannot be okay in a world where children have to ask for families. It's not okay with me - please tell me it's not okay with you either. Let this be the thing that keeps us awake at night.
HE. ASKED. FOR. A. FAMILY. 

This was Viktors the day he arrived in North Carolina for his Christmas host program.
He looks so scared. His eyes look empty, but we know he's in there.

This was him with his Christmas host mom after being with them for only 3 weeks.
He looks so happy and his eyes and smile are just lit up! The boy God created
him to be is coming out!  

What a difference, right? That is redemption. That is healing. That is the face of a happy, healthy boy who is being nurtured and loved. That is what love can do in only three weeks. Can you even allow yourself to imagine what a forever family would do for this boy? 

Friends, I'm going to be blunt here. Let us not get wrapped up in the 147 Million Orphans to the point that we feel our actions are insignificant, and therefore do nothing. Let us remember the starfish and remember that we can make the difference for one. If you are not currently adopting or hosting a child, would you help us make a difference for this ONE? If you don't feel called to adoption or hosting, this is how YOU can make the difference in the life of an orphan. 

Viktors' hosting fees are $3,000. We will also have to provide food (LOTS OF FOOD) - this boy is hungry in Latvia. His host mom said their grocery bill doubled while he was there over Christmas. He will need clothes, and some other items while he is here. His adoption fees are near $30,000 and will require THREE trips to Latvia. But our God is the God of redemption; He's the God of Rescue. He's the God that can move that big 'ol mountain in front of us. Nothing is impossible with God and we believe that HE is going to use HIS PEOPLE to rescue this heart.

Please be a part of Viktors' journey to home. You can give via PayPal clicking the donate button at the top of our blog OR you can donate HERE and the money will go straight to New Horizons for Children for Viktors. (If you give via that link, your donation will be tax-deductible). Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support in this journey. 

          I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. - John 14:18 

~Paula