Sunday, December 13, 2009

Pajamas for Orphans and Pictures






We handed off the pjs to our friend Christine yesterday. We were able to give her 145 pj bottoms and 48 pj tops. Other church groups and Christine's children also collected and made pjs and through all of these efforts she ended up with enough pjs so that each of the 300 orphans at this orphanage will have 2 pairs. Isn't that so heartwarming?

A special thanks to Shannon, Heidi, Janetta, Sally and Grace and Lynne and Sara for sending pjs to contribute.

Hearing Christine talk was a testimony to the power that one person can have. She's felt overwhelmed many times with the responsibility she feels in her heart for these children but it didn't deter her from trying to make a difference in their lives. And she's still going to help as much as she can. She spoke of visiting these orphans, they live "just about as far north as you can go" and hardly anyone knows that they're there since the disable are considered a stigma to society. She visits and they are all starving for touch and affection. She said she picks one child up and then 30 other faces look to her, wondering why they can't be held as well. When she leaves she described "peeling" the children off of her; they just want to be loved. I'm thankful for the chance to organize this help and pray for Christine for strength in all her efforts and for the orphans.

We are all so blessed.

9 comments:

Sally said...

That is just wonderful that you were able to help these beautiful children of our Heavenly Father. It is inspiring to see the difference people can make. Greg visited many orphans on his mission in Bulgaria and it is a heart-wrenching experience, but he echoed your friend's feeling that you just do what you can where you can and every little bit helps. God bless you all for doing so.

Torrie said...

i cried when she spoke yesterday and now i sit here crying again.
this was a wonderful project to be a part of. thank you for all you efforts in making it possible.
even though i don't know these children, they will always be in my heart. and i am blessed for that.

-::bee::- said...

I think what you all did (just the sheer amount of it) was so amazing. The work that Christine does is an inspiration to me to be quicker to show love and slower to judge.

Heidi Davies said...

I'm glad I was able to help out. Reading about it really makes me want to adopt a russian orphan. Or two.

Paige said...

That's sweet Heidi. Christine said that it is really hard to adopt a child from Russia. It seemed so sad when there are people who would be such great parents, who want to be great parents. It was great that you helped.

Shannon said...

You are right, Paige - we are so blessed. Thank you for blogging this and giving us a chance to be involved.

Sara McBride said...

Wow, what a great thing that each little one got two jammies....and what a sweet story you shared. It got me all teary eyed. Thanks for this blog post.

Kelsey K. Hartley said...

As heart-breaking as they are I appreciate you posting these pictures. I can't imagine being Christine.

Janetta said...

I am late to comment since we just flew back home late last night, but I want to thank you for posting these. Andrew went on his mission to Russia, and he spent a lot of time in the orphanages too. When he and Christine get together, it is very touching listening to them. Christine made a difference, and so did you, Paige! If you hadn't been touched enough to blog this, many of us wouldn't have been able to get involved. You are wonderful.