Money means life or death

"Hey, I need $5. Like, I need it bad. Would you help me?"

I feel sure that for most of you, if this were me asking you on the sidewalk as we chatted at the park or as we paused to catch up in the aisle at Wal-Mart, you would be happy to share that with me. You would gladly meet that little need I had, and I would appreciate it greatly.

But it's not life or death, usually. It's not about whether or not a child will survive or die a very lonely unpleasant death.

Too dramatic for ya? Yeah, me too. Usually. But not this time. Don't bail yet...give me 60 seconds and then it's up to you.

Little Lera has had families commit to adopt her and then run into unavoidable obstacles that made them unable to continue. I've not known any other child who has been waiting and on the brink of coming home so often only to once again go on the list of kids needing a family. Now her family is ready, all set, paperwork together. Praise God!

But the money is the problem. Not like, "Gee, we'd like some help so we don't have to take out a loan." But like, "If we don't have $35,000, in the next 3 weeks, we can't get her. Ever. Period."

Unreasonable? Well, welcome to international adoption, it seems.

She's already been transferred out of her orphanage, her home where she was at least cared for and fed. She's now in a mental institution where most children die within one year. They are with adults with various mental illnesses. Care is almost nonexistent. Food is not a guarantee. Interaction is almost unheard of, as I understand it.

But she's there. A little girl just like MY little girl. She should be in preschool or kindergarten but she's in a cold, dangerous place.

Still dramatic? Yes. It is. But it's true, and that's the saddest part.

Her family has been told that to proceed they must raise A LOT of money in a very few weeks. Please see Cathy's post below with suggestions about donating or raising funds. Lera's family desperately wants to bring her home, and they have thousands of dollars already available, but they need $15,000 more as of this posting. They MUST have it by the end of the month or Lera is going to be made to live out her life in the institution. However short that life may or may not be.

So yeah, it's dramatic. Not much I can do about it. So I'll ask again, "I need $5. I need it badly. Will you help me?"

Click here to go to Lera's family's blog and see an iPad and many other great items up for a fundraiser. There are links there to donate as well. Give $5, $50, or $5,000 if you can. It ALL helps.

Look at the little face below... that's from when she was in her orphanage, dolled up, smiling. I pray that she will be home with her forever family soon, all dolled up, smiling, and SAFE!

Lera

From my friend Cathy's blog...

Hello friends,

As most of you know, we have been knee-deep in emergency funding for Lera's adoption fund.

For those of you who do not know, Lera is an orphan in eastern Europe. She has a committed family, the Higbies. The Higbies have followed a bumpy road in their fundraising efforts. Some friends...ok...lots of friends, have gotten together to help them raise funds.

This fundraising is so important because Lera has been transferred to an institution...a MENTAL institution...with ADULTS. It's a sad fact that many of these children die within a year of being transferred.

The importance of these fundraising efforts was increased many-fold yesterday. Lera's parents were told in a conference call with their agency that if they could not show proof by Friday, that they had secured all $35,000 for her adoption, they would not be allowed to proceed. EVER!!!!

God heard our prayers!!! When Diane, Lera's mommy, called back and told them of our fundraising efforts and how much had been raised in 24 hours, they gave her until the end of the month.

While $18,000 in a matter of weeks seems daunting, we know that we serve an almighty God...with HIM nothing is impossible. In less than 48 hours, Lera's account has grown by $3000!!!!!!! He is MIGHTY TO SAVE!!!

God WILL provide!!! It might take some creativity though...

Here are a few ideas swimming around in my head (and Deanna's). Please post your comments and give us other ideas. I will add them to this list.

• Organize a dress-down day at your work (or school where kids wear uniforms) Donate $$$ and you can wear casual clothes.
• If you live in a warmer climate, organize a car wash. When I used to run these as the youth leader at my church, we collected the most money when we asked for a free-will donation instead of asking for an actual dollar amount.
• Make a collection jar...with Lera's picture and story on it...and put it anywhere and everywhere.
• Have a garage sale. Sell stuff on eBay.
• Do you have gift cards that you haven't spent??? Ask your friend, neighbor, or co-worker if they will "buy" them from you by donating the same amount to Lera's adoption fund.
• Organize a bake sale.
• Speak to groups at your church.
• Have a collection at your church for Lera.
• Talk to your Sunday school class/small group/Bible study/youth groups to get their input.

Whatever you do, do it FAST!!!!! This IS a matter of life and death.

If you haven't already donated, go to http://www.savinglera.blogspot.com/ and do so, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!