Two Families—Opposite Sides of the World

First of all, if you want to look at any pictures full size, just click on Photo Gallery on the right, then go to My Gallery. The images are spread across 3 albums (#1 being the first batch, #3 being the last batch, including the farewell). I can’t figure out why sometimes the photos will enlarge when you click on them, and sometimes not.

During Madina’s first week with us, Deborah Young, a photographer in Cornelius, kindly donated her services and took pictures of all the children. We had a portrait sitting and wonderful picture of our little short-term family. Then, a couple weeks after Madina left us, we received an email photo that someone took as she got off the plane at the Kabul airport. The picture is of her family—Mom, Dad, and twin brother (baby sister wasn’t there I guess). What struck me was how much her Dad resembles Joe! They have the same hairdo, height and body shape... very interesting.

Many people have asked and no, I don’t think I’ll ever see her again. All I can say is that if it’s in God’s plan, then it will happen. I also don’t know if we can correspond. There isn’t a Fed Ex, UPS service that can deliver a package at the door of the orphanage. Afghanistan is a country at war and many things get stolen or never make it to their intended destination for whatever reason. I spoke to the interpreters about this and was told I can send a care package to one of them that lives in Islamabad, Pakistan. She will make sure someone drives it safely across the border to Kabul. This was very important to me because in packing her suitcase (and limited to 50 lbs.) we made certain she had the winter clothing and other humanitarian relief supplies first. There were so many of her dolls, puzzles, books and other toys that just weren’t a priority and we couldn’t pack them. Also, I designed a photo book and had it printed and bound for her. I just received it last week. I took over 1,800 pictures while she was here. I just couldn’t help it... she was so darn cute! I had a hard time choosing, but my book ended up 96 pages. It is beautiful and she has no idea that it’s coming. I couldn’t figure out how to communicate that to her. Anyway, my care package is now ready to send to Pakistan this week! I hope there is someway I will know if she receives it.

There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by where I haven’t thought about her, wondering what she is doing. I wonder if she thinks about us. I wonder if she misses me. I wonder if we accomplished our mission in showing her the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. I wonder does she see hope for her future now. Only God knows and that is good enough for me.

To her family on the opposite side of the world, thank you for sharing your precious little girl with us, complete strangers in your eyes. Know that she is deeply loved and prayed over by many. She was a blessing to us and we will never forget her. Ever.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to host a child from Afghanistan this summer and sending the perfect little sweetie to our family. Thank you for giving us this experience to love and care for this child in our home. You know how much we want to be parents and you gave us a little preview of what’s to come when we get our little Ruby in China. We pray that Madina knows that you are good and that she is loved not just by us, but by You and Jesus, your son, our Lord. We pray she will know hope and strive for a better future. Please bless her and keep her safe always. It is in Your Name we pray. Amen.