Hosting entails so much more than I ever realized. I'm excited about all of it, don't get me wrong, but it's much more than "hang out with a child for a few weeks." As a hosting family, we are to provide clothes, luggage, some simple toys/items, a dental visit and eye exam, follow ups if either of those prove to require work, mandated group activities if other host families are close by, weekly reports... A lot to take in, but it all makes sense, just things I hadn't thought of previously. And I'm excited to do it! :)

Of course there's also the financial commitment. In addition to the clothes, luggage, and small personal items (the dental and eye exams are usually donated), there is also the cost of travel and fees to bring them here in the first place. For us, that translates to $2500-$2750, depending on how the travel works out for his return flight.

In order to raise hopefully a portion of those funds, we are holding a pretty cool (I totally stole the idea!) fundraiser. We are going to be purchasing a 500 piece puzzle this coming week. For each five dollars donated, we will write the name of that donor on the back of one puzzle piece. Donate $20 and we will write your name on four pieces. Then, the completed puzzle, each person coming together to bring Davids to the US for this life-changing experience, will be presented to him as a gift while he's here. I plan to use this to show him how very much God loves him, how each of those who donated money to bring him to us love him and are sharing the love of God with him through their donation. I think it will be an amazing and very real representation of God's work in this world.

If you would be able to donate even five dollars, you would be helping to provide that opportunity to this child. God has ordained that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27) While not all of us may be able to host or adopt ourselves, we can all empower others in this ministry by donating. Please consider prayerfully if God is leading in this area.

If you would like to donate, you can donate safely through the paypal button on the right of the blog. Paypal does take a small portion of your donation for their fees, so if you'd rather not lose that portion you can email me and if I "know" you I will send you my address and you can send a check instead. For each $5 donated in any way, your name will be placed on the back of one of the puzzle pieces which will be given to Davids when he arrives. I will place a picture of the puzzle on the blog once it's purchased. Thank you SO MUCH for your support!!!

Remember, even more important than financial support is your prayer support. If you are at all praying and supporting us, PLEASE leave a comment and let me know so we can be praying for you and yours as well! God bless!