Last night I had the privilege of being able to show Abby to 800+ Powerlife and the Catalyst Students at our church (www.hosannalc.org). Their offering money is going to Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) and I got to "bring it home" for them by showing them a child from India (Abby!) who was dramatically transformed through a cleft surgery. Did you know in developing countries there are 4.7 million unrepaired clefts?! A simple surgery that takes 45 min. and costs less than $250 is the only thing standing in the way. Operation Smile just returned from a 2 week trip in India where they fixed 200 clefts (500 applicants were screened) in two weeks. I was able to share with the kids that it not only helps in appearance, it transforms their lives socially. Most families are ostracized and the kids are not allowed to go to school. They are teased relentlessly..."cut lip". The best documentary on this is Smile Pinki which Smile Train filmed about a 5 year old girl whose life was transformed through a cleft surgery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CamEXQ8x72c).
I was on my blog designer's personal blog and saw a list of children she is advocating for (http://waitingchildreninchina.blogspot.com/). Seeing 3 year old children who have not been adopted and the only "special need" is their cleft lip/palate, makes me so sad. A child's unrepaired cleft can be intimidating to see, but really... it's ONE surgery and their appearance is transformed. It is a committment as far as ongoing care but OH SO WORTH IT! Just look at our sweet Abby and you'll agree! :)
I was on my blog designer's personal blog and saw a list of children she is advocating for (http://waitingchildreninchina.blogspot.com/). Seeing 3 year old children who have not been adopted and the only "special need" is their cleft lip/palate, makes me so sad. A child's unrepaired cleft can be intimidating to see, but really... it's ONE surgery and their appearance is transformed. It is a committment as far as ongoing care but OH SO WORTH IT! Just look at our sweet Abby and you'll agree! :)
Her hair is getting SO LONG! Such a little cutie! My son was born with some issues relating to his mouth/lip. It is not bad at all, but he sometimes gets rude comments. People can be so heartless!
ReplyDeleteI love that your church's youth programs are teaching teens to reach out to the least of these. That's how the next generations of missionaries, medical missions professionals, etc. are created. And your sweet little girl is already having such an impact on her world!
ReplyDeleteNancy