The Caste System

Meredith lives in a country that operates on a caste system, where people are classified into groups based solely on their genetic make-up. I know, there are people in the adoption community, who look at Meredith and say, she's in no danger of going to an institution and we want to help a child with the most desperate need. Let me explain some things about the caste system and then you tell me whether you think Meredith's need for a family is desperate enough to shake you from your complacency. God forgive us, for placing a higher value on one child's life over another.

Meredith finds herself on the lowest rung of the caste system in her country. She would be a part of the Dalit group, also known as the "untouchables." Does that seem strange in the year 2012? That anyone would be deemed untouchable? That's where her fate lies. If someone from a higher class of people were to touch Meredith, then the belief in her society is that the person is "contaminated." She would not be allowed to drink from a common water source and clean water is scarce in her country.

What does the future hold for Meredith if she is not chosen? She's in a good place, right now, but what about if or when she ages out? She would be forced to join the population of people who live in the slums and scour the trash for enough food to survive. Would she be taken advantage of by people who seek to prey on the weak among us? Most surely. Her need is desperate. She needs a family. She needs to be chosen. She cannot wait forever...

This is the most recent photo I have of Meredith.

Please, consider Meredith. Rise up, Church! Show the world that every life has value.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Just waiting...

I've had some people asking me what about Meredith? Meredith's country is closed, right now. So, we're just waiting on it to re-open. Meanwhile, please keep joining us, as we stand in the Gap for Meredith. Keep praying. Meredith's grant is still receiving donations, so feel free to give, too! I'll keep you updated and let you know as soon as Meredith's country re-opens.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

GAP Moms...

I was sharing with a friend about Meredith and how very heavy she's been on my heart the past few days. She's always there in my thoughts, but there are times when God floods my soul with the need to pray for her. To hold her up before the throne. To "mind the gap" for her.

If you've ever ridden the subway system in London (AKA: the Tube), especially at rush hour, you have heard the phrase, "mind the gap." The gap is the hole between the station platform and the subway car you're boarding. Sometimes, there are even workers with white gloves shoving as many people into the Tube as will fit. It's an interesting experience to say the least. I digress.

I told my friend, who also loves a child she cannot bring home, right now, that we are the GAP Moms for these little ones. Not only are we standing in the hole making sure they make it from birth Mom to adoptive Mom, but we are Giving, Advocating and Praying. That makes us the G.A.P. Moms for our littles. We are "minding the gap" for them.

I want Meredith to no longer need me as her GAP Mom. I want her to have her very own Mama, who will love her to the moon and back. Who will be able to cross an ocean for her and love her MORE than I already do. She will be that Mama's daughter forever. The gap will close and she will be securely in the arms that God always intended. In the meantime, it is one of my greatest privileges in life to "mind the gap" for this precious little girl.

Please, take a few minutes to read about Meredith, either here on our blog or on her Reece's Rainbow Profile. Could you be her forever Mom? You see, I'm only her GAP Mom. She needs YOU to come for her. Please, share Meredith's story and let's find her forever family, together.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Happy New Year?

Wow! Where did this year go? Does it feel like it flew by to you? I'm betting that it didn't seem so quick for our girl, Meredith. Another year of waiting to be chosen. Another year with no one to call her own. I'm packing up our Christmas decorations, but I can't put Meredith's ornament in a box. I'm searching for the perfect place to hang her picture, so we remember to pray everyday for her family to come. Maybe you'll join me in making praying for Meredith's forever family to find her part of your New Year's Resolution.

We often resolve to do great big things and fail miserably by January 15th. Here's something we can succeed at. We can join together and pray and share Meredith with everyone we meet, so that her family will be found this year. Will you join our family?

Thank you to everyone who gave to help Meredith reach her angel tree goal. It has been and continues to be a privilege to advocate for this sweet girl. Continuing to believe for Meredith's Miracle in 2012!

Blessings,
Mandy

I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning. My friend, Julia helped carry the load of raising Meredith's Angel Tree funds. I hesitated to commit to being her Christmas Warrior because I knew we'd be in the middle of travelling to meet our boys. God knows, I love this little girl. I committed and intended to focus the last three weeks in December on Meredith, raising the $1,000 needed for her Angel Tree goal. Thanks to Julia the goal has been met!

You can read the celebration post on Julia's blog. There you will find some other babies who have not met their goal, yet. Please, consider donating to one of them. Help us find their families by sharing their faces and their stories with your friends and family. I'm thankful to Julia for answering God's call to help the orphans and for making my burden lighter this Christmas season. Now, we can focus on finding Meredith's family. Donations are still encouraged and will go a long way toward helping her forever family bring her home. I cannot wait to write the post that says Meredith's family has found her!

Still praying for Meredith's Christmas Miracle and thankful God allowed me to be a small part of it.

Blessings,
Mandy

Simply Amazed

My friend, Julia (I'm claiming her as my friend) has a giveaway going on for The Passed Over Babes on her blog. She chose 13 children from the Angel Tree who have been listed the longest with no families still. Meredith is one of them. Her giveaway is amazing and there are lots of prizes to be won.

Then, this morning I read that in addition to the prizes on Julia's blog, my other friend, Patti is going to join in the fun with over $1000 in additional prizes. You can read about that in the post called Noticed. Since Julia started the giveaway 33 people have participated and that means 33 people that may never have seen Meredith before have seen her precious face now. Julia and Patti together will reach thousands of people and I'm so grateful they have hearts broken for the orphans.

Everyone of the 13 babies on that list NEED a family. More than they need anything else in this world, they need Mama's and Papa's. Please, get involved and share the giveaway. The more people who go there the better chance we have of their families finding them.

Please, continue to pray for Meredith's safety and for her family to find her a fall in love. She's waited far too long for them to come.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

We've stalled.

It's time to rally the troops! Meredith's grant on Reece's Rainbow grew to $435 during the first week of the Angel Tree and now, we're stalled. You can donate through the chip in on the right hand side of the blog and for any donation over $10, I'll send you a brand new Veggie Tales DVD.

If you donate $35 or more Reece's Rainbow will also send you an ornament with Meredith's picture on it for your Christmas tree. If you use the chipin you'll receive the ornament and a DVD. Let's see if we can push Meredith over the $500 mark, today! Please, share with your friends and let's see if we can find Meredith's Mom and Dad.

Check out this link to read more about Meredith and the requirements to adopt her.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy