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Boy in wheelchair
This is the boy we used for our seating and positioning lecture. He is 12 years old. Day 4
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11-14
God has a plan for these kids.
Today we gave a lecture on seating and positioning. I was very thankful for a continuing ed. course I took this past winter in Fairbanks on seating and positioning, because after the initial introduction to the topic, I called a boy up as an example for all to see, and I couldn’t use my notes! As we attempted to evaluate him for his positioining needs. Although he was 12, he was the size of a 3 year old, and had fixed deformities in his legs, hips, and back. We instructed the caregivers on how to tell if his deformity was able to be corrected, and if he needed support. We got more of a response today from the caregivers than on any lecture so far. They asked us questions like, “was this boy born with these deformities?” The answer was, “children are rarely born with deformities. It is a result of inadequate care of his disability.” I think
Ella and girl
A 5 year old girl we used as an example for how children need to be sitting up to develop head and trunk control. She already has major deformities of the hips and legs. the caregivers were surprised.
We met a lady named Carol today, who is MTI’s fundraiser for central Asia. She is a very neat lady, with a big heart. We were discussing how MTI came to adopt the orphanage and where it is going. She said “I don’t know what God has in store- I just know he gave me these children.” This is inspiring to me because I know God has a plan here, in Tashkent, for the kids in this orphanage- for the first time today I began to see God’s bigger plan. It is exciting to be part of His plan in this place. The caregivers at the orphanage share in this as well, as one of them said on the first day, it is because of God that I am here caring for these children. For a woman who has grown up in a culture that shuts away the disabled, this is special, as it must be so difficult to be a caregiver for these kids who they know have small futures with little hope. The Uzbek people traditionally have locked away the disabled, and the disabled are the last ones to recieve funding from the
Teaching the caregivers
Demonstrating seating and positioning techniques government. There are things like this that are discouraging to see and learn, and seem quite hopeless. It is by the Grace of God and the compassion of God’s people that these kids are gaining a hope and a future. Several years ago, a man named Erik decided he would like to donate funds for an orphanage somewhere, and Carol helped locate this orphanage. Because of MTI’s extended efforts on this project and Erik’s donations, the orphanage has been remodeled, cleaned up, more and more staff have been hired to care for the children, and one by one children have been blossoming and given a future. There are still so many things that seem to be out of place though. For example, many of the children here come from the orphanage for the birth to 3 children, where they are neglected, resulting in severe complications to their already existing disabilities. MTI currently has no part in the birth to 3 orphanage, but many of the problems the children have in this orphanage could be prevented if there was better care for the children in the first orphanage. There are also lots of changes to be made in the protocols for
Ella and Seryoja
Seryoja is the bright boy with the impaired hand. We hope someday he has the opportunity for an education care of the children in this orphanage, such as the types and number of children who are provided with an education. We met a boy today who is at the orphanage for only one reason. He has mild cerebral palsy and his only deficit is increased tone in his left hand- he is even able to use it for some things. He is a bright boy but he is locked in this orphanage and appears to us as deprived of his future because of his situation. I'm sure there are others like him too.
The lyrics of a song “Love Them Like Jesus, by Casting Crowns- I think I’ll dedicate them to the Caregivers at this orphanage, who love these kids like Jesus:
The kids lie and wait in a room painted blue
Little blessing from heaven will be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey
As the little one slips away...
You’re holding their hand, you’re strain’ for words
You’re tryin’ to make- sense of it all.
They’re desparate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They’re looking to you...
Love’em like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, his
Boys posing for a picture
Some orphanage boys posed for a picture goofily as we walked through the orphanage grounds. burden is light.
You don’t need the answer to all of life’s questions
Just know that he loves her, and stay by her side.
Love’em like Jesus...
The Lord of all Creation holds our lives in His hands.
The God of all the Nations holds our lives in His hands.
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands,
He cares for them just as he cares for you...
So love them like Jesus
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amy
non-member comment
wesley and i just looked through this. so proud of you.