Harder Family

Harder Family

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Saying Good-Bye is Hard

Job 6:8 "Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope"

Job 11:18 "And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security."


Today was a hard day. Although I didn't shed any tears until tonight, I felt sick to my stomach as we drove up 294 to O'Hare Airport. As hard as it was to say good-bye, we left Piano Man with the hope that, Lord willing, we will see him again in a few months. Other parents, like DJ's host mom, took their host children to the airport knowing that they have a family pursuing them, which helped a little with the sadness. These advocate families have loved on someone else's future child. It is an amazing thing to love on a child that you know will never be your own. I just want to thank Michelle and her family for loving on DJ this last month. When we Skyped, I could see that he was in a great environment, one that loved Jesus as much as we do and one that loved him deeply. Through the last month, I have received pictures and texts that demonstrated just how much DJ has blossomed in their home. Words cannot express our deepest gratitude to Michelle and her family for loving on DJ so well. 


Some of the other host parents were not as fortunate when they left their host children at the airport. They had to leave these sweet kids that they had fallen in love with not knowing if any family will ever step forward and make this child their own. Wayne and I helped at O'Hare today transferring children from the Atlanta flight to meet up with the main group at the international terminal. We were blessed to have a chance to spend a little time with DJ before his flight to China since he was in this group.

The group of kids we transported we great. Let me tell you, if we could adopt more kids, we would quickly adopt these kids. They were amazing!!! I cannot believe that many of these boys have been sitting waiting for a family to choose them for 10, 12, or 13 years. Their special needs seem to insignificant to their amazing, friendly, happy, persevering personalities. For almost 11 years DJ has waited for a family because he is missing some fingers. To me, that is just wrong. Two other boys we met today, that were unbelievable, have cleft lip. Tell me why a repaired cleft lip is worth a child sitting in an orphanage for 12 years?? These kids waiting have so much to offer. My heart just breaks for all of those waiting in China, and around the world, for parents to call their own.




As heartbreaking as it was for each of us to leave the kids, I know that those with unmatched kids have even worse broken hearts. Please check out these amazing kids that are waiting. Maybe you have room in your heart and your home (you can always make room!!), for these amazing kids! For more information about each of these kids, you can see my previous post: Summer Hosting 2016






Leo: age 12. SN - PKU (needs a special diet)


Micah: age 13 (ages out soon!!). SN - Cleft lip/Cleft Pallet 


Ming: 13 (ages out soon!!!). SN-prosthetic limb


Shu: 8 years old; SN-eyes


Please contact Meredith Chambers at meredith@gwca.org or 512.323.9595 ext. 3032 if you have questions.

We are praying that every child we saw today will end up with a family. They are amazing children who just want a family to call their own. 

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