But it just makes me so so so happy to have the whole body of Those Whose Hearts Have Been Turned rise up and pray, and share, and cry, and consider if they themselves just might be the ones who are supposed to Make a Difference to a child in need. (If you missed the comments to my last post on Sebastian, you should go back and read them--made my week!)
Advocates for Sebastian are of course thrilled, although we should all keep praying that nothing goes wrong in the proceedings in these last few days--sometimes families step forward and then find there is some reason they are disqualified or cannot proceed, even if they desire it. But those who were crying out for Sebastian are now trying to get similar attention for another boy who has come to attention, who has the same dire amount of time left!
This is "Joseph." Oh, how I wish his Reece's Rainbow profile was as detailed and winning as Sebastian's! We can't get a feel for this boy, just know that he wants to be in a family.
But that, to me, still says so much.
Just think about the almost 16 year old boys you might know. How many of them would claim to want the security of a mother and father? To want to place themselves under the authority of parents? Most kids I can think of would claim to want to be treated like adults--to strive for their independence. They imagine they are old enough and savvy enough to be on their own, making their own choices. Sure, they might fully admit they are glad to have a safe home and loving parents, but they have that fledgling spirit of Self, and are looking forward to emancipation, to adult freedom. That is their expected goal.
So for an almost 16-year-old boy (esp. one who has grown up already suffering the hard knocks of orphanage life and health issues) to say he wants a family, to put his heart out there in hope, even as he is reaching the point of his own emancipation. . . . This is a boy who has an idea of what the world will be like for him, and he knows it is not likely to be good. This is a boy who is admitting he desires love and safety and belonging, when so many boys his age would be boasting about their plans when they are finally out on their own.
I am especially concerned about his medical concerns. I have never heard of those specific diagnoses, but it says he has suffered from "reoccurring infections." Oh, that is a child who needs someone to be caring for him! To be in a country, a city even, where medical attention would be available to him. But I have a feeling there won't be. I don't even want to think about what that would be like, to be someone who needs medical attention and can't get it. . . .
It just occurred to me. If he is considered "special needs" then maybe he would not be emancipated, but institutionalized. If the state thought he would not survive out in the world, maybe in their mercy they would send him to an institution. . . essentially sentencing him to a life of imprisonment.
I don't know what this boy's future holds, but without a family, it is very bleak.
Can you all please join me in praying for Joseph too? Would you please share his face, his need around your social circles?
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