Improving the quality of life for the orphans of Jamaica 		  The_Beginning
       
       

The Beginning

Here is an excerpt from the first Embracing Orphans Newsletter in January of 2008. It was only days after my return from my first trip to Blossom Gardens when this letter was sent to my friends and family. This short story embodies the essence of Embracing Orphans - to show them they are loved, so that they may experience and understand the Father's love.

January 2008 Carl Robanske Embracing Orphans Newsletter

It was Friday, the last day before our schools winter break. I'd been looking for options to put my faith into action during this break. It didn't come together with a lot of time for planning, but God will take what you give Him and use it for His glory. And He did.

Blossom Gardens is an orphanage for children months old to age seven. In addition there are also children up to age ten who have mental disabilities. There are sixty five children at Blossom Gardens with the most attention being needed in the toddler room. Thirty five toddlers live in this room. Our attention was spent embracing, making faces, bottle and spoon feeding, and lightening the load of the care givers. The majority of the time two staff members tended to the needs of the thirty five toddlers including the five with Cerebral Palsy and five with Autism.

I'd like to share one story with you from my time spent at the orphanage. Nap time came at about eleven o'clock. Children were falling asleep on their colorful mattresses, but one looked uncomfortable, confused, and heart broken. Her eyebrows dipped and her lower lip stuck out as she looked at the kids around her. Then a single tear rolled down her cheek. I asked a staff member how long she had been at the orphanage. She responded, "Two weeks, she never talks". I could read the hurt on Monesia's face. Throughout the time I spent at Blossom Gardens she barely made a noise, until the last day. I took Monesia to the classroom upstairs. I got out picture books and read to her. I took out the stuffed animals and pretended they were talking to her and kissing her. I picked her up high in the air over and over again. She started to laugh. Much to my surprise as I embraced her she began to sing. In a still small voice she sang.

How often we forget that we are loved.

 Walla Walla Winemaker, Josh McDaniels, was inspired by this story and joined with us to create a wine label that shares this reminder of the need for love. The label Monesia's Song is being released in the spring of 2011. When purchased thirty percent of the cost is a financial gift to Embracing Orphans. Check out the website www.monesiassong.com

If you are a business that would like to share the vision of Embracing Orphans through one of your products please contact us.
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