Last week, while giving an ultrasound to a girl living in a Liberian orphanage, our visiting doctor from Oregon (who wishes to remain anonymous), suddenly realized that she could very well be one of the same girls he surgically repaired four years prior, after she had been victimized from a brutal rape. 

This doctor is a gynecologist and urologist who had volunteered twice on a hospital ship, repairing women who had major internal damage due to complicated childbirths as well as abuse and rape victims who were damaged beyond what the Liberian doctors could repair. Because of their physical conditions, these women had lost all respect from those in their communities. He was able to repair many and restore their dignity. Now, four years later, the doctor came to volunteer with Orphan Relief and Rescue to check out our children and staff who were in need of a specialist’s opinion. 

As he was examining each woman, the doctor kept thinking about the one girl he had seen that day, as well as four years prior. He was deeply moved by the realization that life had come around full circle. He felt this was a destined moment for him to be able to see how the surgery he had performed then had made such a huge difference in this young girl’s life. She is now a thriving and beautiful young lady, who has only the internal scars from the surgery as proof of the horrible ordeal she had once gone through. 

Physically this doctor had done his part, and emotionally we had done ours. Through our Child Development Program, our staff saw her through to full emotional health by showing her the value and worth she has to us and to God. We hardly knew any details from her past before coming to the orphanage; all we knew was that she was deeply hurt and wounded and would have sunk into despair without us investing into her life.

It took a hospital ship and a doctor willing to sacrifice his time and give of his skills. It took others, such as yourself, supporting Orphan Relief and Rescue financially and prayerfully. It took a selfless staff who was willing to invest their energy and life in this work. This all takes a team. Together, we are that team! Thank you for your continued partnership which allows us to make a huge difference. Please continue to help us in these efforts.

Tim and I (Rebecca) just returned from Liberia this week. These trips are never easy, yet they are always so rewarding. The hard part is seeing so many children in distress. The highlights are seeing all the lives that have been rescued.

Our field team in Liberia, our Benin partnerships, and our Seattle-based staff continue to do a great job with what they are entrusted. It is an honor to have each of them on our team. We are looking forward to another wonderful and successful year of seeing more children rescued and continued good health for those whom are no longer suffering.

2013 Focus Areas:
 

• Getting a transition/safe home up and running for those in horrible, abusive orphanages that need to be closed.

• Helping our last two core orphanages in Liberia become self-sufficient through small business endeavors. We have already graduated two of four.

• Help the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare write and implement foster care policies for the displaced and needy kids in Liberia.

• Continue our Greater Opportunity Assistance Program. Helping the children aging out of their orphanages.

• Continue to support the infrastructure of the orphanage/safe home in Benin.

• Continue Relief and Child Development programs: Wells, showers, and latrines are being dug. Kids are being fed, schooled, and tutored. Children are being taught that God loves them and desires a relationship with them.