INVISIBLE

Have you ever felt invisible?  I was a shy child growing up and often felt invisible. As I stood on the sidelines at recess, lunch time and parties I often wondered "Does anybody see me?"  I dreaded PE because I was not athletic.  When it came time to pick teams, I was without fail among the last ones picked.  When I was at a roller skating party and it was time for "couples skate," nobody noticed me.  Perhaps you too have felt invisible at times and can identify.

The older children at the orphanages experience this feeling of "invisibility" day in and day out.  When they first come to live at the orphanages and see the new mommies and daddies come, their hearts start beating faster and they ask themselves "Is it me, is it me?"  Sadly, the new parents walk right past them as if they were not even there and reach out for a cute little baby or an adorable toddler.  So the older child gets back in the line and hopes that maybe next time, a new mommy or daddy will come and pick them.  The days go by and babies and toddlers come and go.  The older child, still standing in line, becomes downcast and that glimmer of hope slowly dies within them.  "Does anybody see me?"  Does anybody know who I am?"  "Does anybody care?"

Our agency has had 3 older boys (T, L, & Z) who have been waiting over a year for a forever family. Can you imagine how it would feel to watch other children come and go as you wait and wait to be picked?  People often overlook older children, especially boys, out of fear.  A younger child seems more safe and with less issues.  (I know we had some of the same fears but God helped us look past them when He showed us He had two older sisters for us instead of one girl toddler.)  Yet these children need homes just like all the other children.  Here are how T, L, & Z are described:

T – T is a quiet boy who likes to play with his friends. He has a calm and friendly personality that one might see as being shy, but after he warms up to someone he is more outgoing, kind and friendly.

T likes to be active and play soccer with his buddies. He is good at sharing and is kind to the younger children at the Care Center.

L-L is an adorable little guy who loves to have fun! He can be shy around adults but is friendly with the other children. He loves to play cars and enjoys trying to make one-on-one conversations with visiting adults. Showing off what English he is learning.

Z-Z is a very compassionate boy. He is always looking out for the younger boys at the Care Center. He is seen as a big brother to every one there and is sweet to every one.

Z is fun and loves to play games with his friends. He is not over powering for attention but is willing to wait his turn.

Fortunately, T, L, & Z have been noticed by a few parents with compassionate hearts who have met them in Ethiopia.  These parents have joined together to help these precious boys.  They are hosting an online silent auction to raise money and provide a grant to any family who will step up and provide a home for one of these boys.

Please go to http://tlcfortlz.blogspot.com/ to see how you might help these boys find a forever home.