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What Love and a Family Can Do

Just over two years ago, Liz Larson traveled to China to meet and bring home 2-and-a-half-year-old Ellia. A child and family counselor, Liz felt confident and well-equipped, although a bit anxious, to begin the journey of bonding and healing with her daughter.

Today, Ellia is thriving in her mom’s care. In just two years, Ellia has grown from a shy and quiet 2-year-old to an energetic, outgoing, silly 4-year-old who is secure and so loved. Liz says adopting as a single parent is “the hardest thing she has ever done on purpose,” but also the greatest gift.

Liz encourages all hopeful parents — whether married or single — to consider adoption.

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Lonnell Urgently Needs a Family!

A family who loves to explore and has a good understanding of older child adoption would be the best for Lonnell.

Lonnell is an outgoing, intelligent and active little boy. At 8 years old, he loves to meet new people and play sports with his friends!

When he was 6 years old, Lonnell received an operation for an inguinal hernia. Since the operation, his health has improved significantly. He can now run, jump and play with other children his age.

Lonnell has a strong curiosity, giving him the excitement to explore and learn more about the world around him. He openly communicates his thoughts and feelings, and he is always polite and positive.

He also excels in the classroom and loves to ask questions. As a problem-solver, Lonnell strives to understand whatever lesson is put in front of him. In 2017, he received an award for being an outstanding student at his school!

A family that loves to explore and has a good understanding of older child adoption would be the best fit for Lonnell.

Could you or someone you know be the right family for Lonnell? Please contact Alycia Fahr-Zarlons at alyciaf@holtinternational.org or view his photolisting profile for more information.

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2018 Urgent Need Update: You Changed Their Lives

At the end of 2018, we shared with you about three children in our programs who were experiencing the most heartbreaking, hopeless and urgent needs: Linh, a 13-year-old who became pregnant after a violent assault; Shenaz, a little girl in India who was grieving her father’s death and living in extreme poverty; and Jun Jun, a boy in China who desperately needed a surgery for his cleft lip.

Your outpouring of support and care for these three little ones amazed us. You gave generously. And because of you, Linh, Shenaz and Jun Jun’s lives have changed.

Keep reading to see just how powerful a difference you made in these children’s lives!

Linh.Linh | A Mother at 13, She Needed Help

Continue reading “2018 Urgent Need Update: You Changed Their Lives”

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From Ashes to Beauty

Given the strength to overcome her own struggles, child sponsor Karis Feezell strives to help others overcome theirs. 

Hello, my name is Karis Feezell. I am a determined, strong and compassionate 19-year-old artist who has struggled with physical issues all my life. I have cerebral palsy, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and birth defects in my hands and feet. When I was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, resulting in lack of oxygen for eight minutes until I was revived. During this incident, my cerebellum was injured, causing constant, shaky tremors. The tremors make it a struggle to control my hands, particularly opening them.

That I have these issues, and can still draw and paint, is proof to me that God is still working miracles today. Continue reading “From Ashes to Beauty”

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Jun Jun Urgently Needs a Cleft Lip Surgery

In China, children with special needs who are living in orphanage care often go without — or wait too long for — the medical care they need. These are children like Jun Jun…

Jun Jun is a child with special needs who is living in an orphanage in China.

Jun Jun’s cleft lip should have been repaired months ago. Most babies born with cleft lip and palate get their first surgery at 3 to 6 months old. But Jun Jun is nearly a year old.

His orphanage can’t afford the procedure. Continue reading “Jun Jun Urgently Needs a Cleft Lip Surgery”