Pure Religion

James 1:27 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

So maybe you're like me: you have a heart for orphans...for the fatherless.

Except you know that adoption is not your calling...maybe not right now...maybe not ever.  Maybe you are single and looking for that special someone to start a family with.  Maybe you have eight kids and are struggling to make ends meet.  Maybe you have two but you are maxed out!  Maybe you are too young.  But you are still looking to make a difference...but how?

Across the world from here, child after child is being relinquished from their parents.  They are being abandoned on street corners.  They are witnessing their parents die from horrible diseases or starvation.  They are scavenging the grounds of the dump trying to find scraps of food or clothing.  Children are raising children.  And somehow, by the grace of God, some of these children end up in an orphanages, or loving care centers like Hannah's Hope, which provides beyond exceptional care for these young ones.

Our little T is one of these children.

Hannah's Hope is considered a "Transitional Home", closer along the lines of a foster home than an orphanage.  The children there are under the custody of the government-run or government approved orphanages.  Hannah's Hope is run by our agency and considered the best care-wise for these children.  But a transitional home is only as good as the donations given by families like us!  By bringing donations with us on our trips to Ethiopia, it ensures that not only our daughter will receive excellent care, but all the children Hannah's Hope will care for after she comes home and joins her forever family!  Our little T wouldn't be getting the excellent care she is currently receiving if it wasn't for the generous donations of those who went before us...and we want to pay it forward!  It's not an obligation, but a privilege!

How does this relate to YOU?

If you are one of those people who is wondering how to make a difference in the life of a child (or many children), I would ask that you would consider donating.  Some of the needs (listed below) are as affordable as $1-2!  Some things that we would consider necessities, are not even available to purchase in Ethiopia (or would cost a fortune).  Your next trip to the dollar store could make such a big impact for these children.  We would be happy to transport them on both our trip in May and our trip to bring T home (hopefully in June).  And if God blesses us with more than we can take...we will happily pass it on to the next family traveling!

How can you get donations to us???

-Local families are welcome to drop things off at our doorstep, mail them to us, or depending on when or what I'd be happy to come pick up the donation(s)!
-Whatcom County residents, you can feel free to bring donations to either of our parents homes and we will find a way to get them here =)
-Those of you who don't live on Washington state can feel free to ask for our address to mail us donations, or even a gift card to go purchase items for Hannah's Hope.  You can also feel free to donate via paypal (on the right side bar) and specify that you want it to go towards Hannah's Hope donations and we would be happy to purchase some much needed items on your behalf.

What are the needs?

Infant Needs
***Diapers of all sizes (including preemie-sized)--cloth or disposable (Almaz has stated they have enough cloth diapers to share with the surrounding orphanges, which is GREAT! Please keep donating so we can continue to help them. Disposables are always a great need for when children are sick or when they first get to HH)
Plastic pants to cover cloth diapers
***Baby Wipes (Always needed.  Think of how many they go through a day, wow!)
***Organic Flaxseed Oil (Used for malnurished babies) 
***Organic Unground Flaxseed 
Bibs
Infant and Children’s Vitamins 
Powdered Similac Formula (regular, vegetable– and ****soy-based*** --> cannot get in Ethiopia and many of the kids are lactose intolerant)
Avent Bottles (8 and 12 oz sizes)
Rice Cereal
Diaper Rash Cream (Desitin is preferred, A&D ointment or Butt Paste is also useful)
Baby Shampoo
Baby Oil
Lotions specifically for dry/ashy skin 
Age Appropriate Developmental Toys for infants and toddlers

Medications:
Hydrocortisone cream
Neosporin (or generic Triple Antibiotic)
Clotrimazole cream
Infant and children's multi-vitamins

Miscellaneous 
Shampoo, Conditioner, and Lotion for older kids - fortified for curly hair 
Hand Sanitizer 
Towels (blue or pink, regular size)
Kids and Adult's toothpaste (do NOT need toothbrushes however)
Kleenex Boxes
Braun Thermometer Covers 
Sidewalk Chalk
Bubbles
Twin Sheets (mainly flats in pink, purple, red, blue or green—solid or printed)
Blow-up balls/outside toys
Children's DVDs and CDs

Children's Clothing Needs - Must be New or Like New (please consider slim clothing)
*At this time, infant clothing is not needed*
Toddler Clothing and Shoes
Light Jackets or Sweaters for all ages
Shorts and Tanks for tall, skinny kids
Boys' Clothing - Age 6-10 - especially pants and pajamas
Girls' Clothing - Age 6-13 - especially pants and pajamas
Underwear for all ages
Shoes for all ages, but especially older boys and girls (age 4-13)
(The popular "Croc" is great for these kids as well as sneakers)

Needs for Special Mothers and Staff

Adult-sized slippers (They don’t wear shoes inside)

Crocs for Adults in sizes 7, 8, and 9 (Easily cleaned for special mother's)

Scrubs (White, size medium, for the special mothers caring for the children)
Good quality electric shaver
Rechargeable camping lanterns (for when electricity is out)

In addition to these needs, my dear friend Angela has started ROCK THE ORPHANAGE to provide rocking chairs to Hannah's Hope.  This all began after her first visit to HH and she realized that the limited seating HH already had was offered to the visiting adoptive families leaving the special mothers to sit on the floor!  (Ethiopian culture is very generous!)  But on top of that, they didn't have ONE rocking chair at the time to help soothe all these babies!  Because of Angela, there are now SEVEN (of the ten they are aiming to provide) rocking chairs at Hannah's Hope, and we are excited to help deliver one more!  By supporting Angela's cause, you can help pay for the rocking chairs, provide an amazing bonding opportunity for the children at HH, and give these amazing special mothers a BREAK from hard floors!

Thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.  I can't wait to see the smiles on their faces! =)