The Kjernald Family Adventures: Guest Post from Cydil Waggoner...Advocating For Joel

ad·vo·cate

(

-k

)

tr.v. ad·vo·cat·ed, ad·vo·cat·ing, ad·vo·cates

To speak, plead, or argue in favor of

Orphan advocacy is something I approach with a feeling of great responsibility. To be a voice for

one who can't speak for himself means that if I don't speak, that individual essentially doesn't get heard by those within hearing distance of me. Rather than trusting in God's plan, I'm tempted to worry that if nothing comes from my sharing about a need, what does that say about me? Did I

share this information too late? In the wrong way? Will I disappoint those who have placed their

trust in me to be an advocate on their behalf?

I know that after coming home from our adoption trips we would share how much we wished we could find homes for all the kids in Ellie's and Reni's orphanages. While we would still love to do that, but I've only been given permission to share about one particular child (actually, I've been implored by Sister R for nearly a year -- though not released to officially do so until February) and the responsibility feels heavy. I know there are numerous websites that advocate for specific, adoptable children. It's honestly difficult for me to see those photos and read about those kids. Now that I've joined a Y*hoo group for families of children with limb differences, I DAILY receive e-mails of adoptable children with a variety of limb issues, many a lot less significant than Reni's, and my

heart hurts. What is my responsibility to do with that information? For now, we do what we can

to live out a testimony of the beautiful picture of adoption and pray that it touches others' lives to consider the need and open their hearts to that possibility.

Today, though, I'm going to share about one little one who I don't believe is being advocated for anywhere else. Would you join me in sharing about this little guy and praying that his family

finds him? You can e-mail me at the address listed on the sidebar of this blog for more information about him and the Albanian adoption process. cydilwaggoner@gmail.com

This little boy, Joel, turns 2 this month. He is being cared for by the Sisters of Charity in Elbasan, Albania. We met Joel the summer we adopted Reni, when Joel was just a few months old.

After bringing Reni home, Reni's sweet godmother and primary caregiver, Duzi (photographed

above in the pink scarf), 'adopted' Joel as her next 'project child' after Reni. Together, with the

special love of Duzi and Sister R (who was his primary caregiver during his first few months), Joel has made strides developmentally, though he still lags behind his peers.

Here is a list of some of his milestones (sent to me by the Sisters on March 15, photos captured on February 11):

He can walk around the wall of a room without help
He has started to take two steps alone.
He is excellent at climbing up and on a chair (we witnessed this in February, can attest to his agility, and have video)
He climbs out of his bed
He can hold things in both hands
He can hold a spoon, trying to feed others (but not himself)
He can hold a crumb of bread with 2 fingers
He points to things which interest him

He presses music toys with his fingers
He understands 'goodbye' and waves
He calls 'come' with his hand
He claps with hands when he is happy
He is starting to speak 'ga-ga'
He is looking for the companionship of bigger children
Most of the time he eats only mashed food, and small pasta soup (not able yet to swallow harder food)