Pray for Pleven

With my 'Pledges for Pleven' fund-raiser coming to an end, I'm honestly in awe.  Though many of the numbers never got claimed God remained faithful.  During this fund-raiser I had an anonymous local donor donate nearly $300 towards Pleven!  Never before have I seen such generosity towards Pleven from someone locally, their outreach literally left me in tears and gave me hope that many do still care.  

$307 later and I am grateful for the hearts that God moved, and the hands who gave.  

I'm already at it again, a t-shirt fund-raiser this time.  Though I may have time to waste, the children in Pleven are already living on borrowed time, they needed out yesterday.  We got an update on Pleven a few days ago, many of the older children are being taken out of Pleven and being moved to a group home, which though it sounds beneficial it's disastrous.  The staff who will be running this group home are former Pleven owners, who hurt and abused the children in Pleven...they literally made it a Hell On Earth.  I'm horrified, sick to my stomach, and heartbroken for the children who are being taken to this home.

We can only pray, and yes prayer is very powerful but I still feel the urge to rescue those children from dangers grip, to take them somewhere safe where they will be harmed no more. So for now I will pray, that God will bring mercy to these children, that the US Embassy in Bulgaria will see that we are working to find families, and build a real group home for these kids where they can feel worthy, I will pray that God's hand is on everything, including this t-shirt fundraiser.  He is God, and He is sovereign, His plan is best, and I have to trust that...even when it's hard.  

If you are interested in buying a 'Pray For Pleven' t-shirt (they are available in adult, and children's sizes), you can use this link: http://teespring.com/PrayForPleven

92 Valentines

Fighting for the lives in Pleven Orphanage, in Pleven, Blugaria is where my passion lies.  For the past year I've wanted nothing more than to change the current state of Pleven...but I am just one and I can't do much.  Last night after reading some terrible news about a former Pleven child (who is now loved more than anyone could ever, ever, imagine by an incredible family.) the passion and drive in my heart were forefront and not going anywhere anytime soon.  I sat at my desk and cried, I asked God what I was supposed to do about the situation in Pleven, and how in the world I was supposed to do anything at all.  I was out of ideas, heartbroken, in tears, feeling hopeless...but I didn't give up.

Valentines Day is coming up, some are planning special dates for their wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend, others may be eating heart shaped candies, and spending the night with Netflix (which is totally fine, cause that's what I'll be doing!).  But what if you could do something more for the holiday that revolves around love, hearts, and all that gushy stuff.  What if (now bare with me, this seemed like a great idea in my head lets just hope it's as successful as I'm praying it is!) you could donate a dollar amount in honor of a child still waiting in Pleven? There are 92 children in Pleven (the last I checked that is.), and there are 92 numbers on the chart below.  If this is intriguing you, and you want to know more....well keep reading.


Pick a number, and which ever number you choose is the dollar amount you'll donate towards Pleven in honor of a sweet child still waiting (Comment after you donate so I know the number has been claimed).  Example: Jane Doe picks the number 21, so she will donate $21 to the donation button labeled Pledges For Pleven on the right-hand side of the blog.  Make sense?  It's literally that easy, no joke!  I've seen people do this fund-raiser before, it's always been successful, and I'm hoping this fund-raiser is just as blessed as others.   Though, I do want to ask you to pray for the children in Pleven when you donate.  I don't have names of all 92 children in Pleven, though I know a few faces, and I would love to see Pleven, and the children in Pleven be lifted up in prayer as a result of this fund-raiser and God's beautiful hand in it all.   I'm sorry that I don't have a spectacular prize for you to win, but I really hope that you'll consider donating out of the generosity of your heart, in honor of a child who is still in Pleven.

Once all of the numbers have been donated, and this fund-raiser ends ALL FUNDS will be donated to The Pleven Project.  These funds will help fund psychologist to evaluate the kids, as well as build the Medical fund.


When someone claims a number, and donates I will cover that number with a heart so we can see which have been claimed.  I will do my best to update the chart as frequently as possible. :)

Thank you, in advanced for every single one of you who opens their hearts, and contributes to the change in Pleven, and for Pleven.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Do You Remember?

Do you remember Abner? I blogged about him here, when I found out that he was soon to be transferred.  No, I don't come baring the news that he has a family, though I wish I could write that post.  I do however come with a new picture of Abner, that I promise will melt your heart.

Abner's profile: http://reecesrainbow.org/36175/abner

That face, his smile, do you have room in your heart for this little love?  Maybe, you're not his mama, but one of your friends is? I don't hold that kind of knowledge. But I do know that Abner matters and Abner is worth it.  Do you have it in you to love Abner?

"Abner is a happy little boy who does not speak but whose facial expressions are east to read.  Those expressions are generally of joy, especially when he is given love and attention. Occasionally I would see a different expression, one that would break my heart.  At 5 years old Abner is spending a lot of time in a wheelchair, unable to participate in playing with the kids around him, and the look of "I want to play too!" on his face broke my heart. When he had the opportunity to participate in playtime he always looked very happy and proud of himself.  This sweet little boy needs a family who will be able to help him reach his full potential!" - Update December 2014

I Am An Orphan Advocate

I am an orphan advocate.

I've said that sentence so many times, to people who are curious about my "hobbies" and want to know about "Alyssa". I tell them that I advocate, that I blog, all for children who have no hope, children that I love immensely. The response I normally get is somewhere along the lines of "Oh how cool!" and that's typically where the conversation ends.  Every time, after one of those short conversations, I'm left feeling sad because to me advocacy is so much more than just "cool".

I mean, I don't expect someone to have input on advocacy when they nothing about it, but I do wish people would ask more questions.  To me advocacy is currently my life.  I spend all of my time fundraising, sharing, blogging, donating, brainstorming, and praying over these kids.  I strive daily to know more about the orphanages, the living conditions, the needs, the outlets that I can use to help the urgent situations.

I started when I was 13 and I have been dedicated ever since.  My best friend Kaitlyn, and I have raised thousands of dollars for adopting families, and waiting children over the past 5 years.  We have gained no money, no publicity, no "higher rank", we have done this purely for the children and their families.  We fight, daily for these lives, because they matter and we see their potential.

Advocacy isn't easy, you can ask any advocate.  It's hard because sometimes you fight tirelessly for a child and they wait year, after year and sometimes their family never comes.  It's heartbreaking, and tiresome, to fight for a child and then to see them age out... Advocacy is not for the faint of heart.  Being an advocate means having your heart broken, picking up the pieces, and loving the next child.

There are joyful moments too.  Those joyful moments, when your child has a family, or when you get updated pictures and know your kiddo is doing 'alright', or when your kiddo finally makes it home after months of praying their family through the adoption process.  Those joyful moments make all of it worth it.  Because, you see, watching a child go from malnourished and broken, to restored, chosen and LOVED does something extraordinary to your heart, and makes you want to do it all over again.

Being an orphan/adoption advocate changes you.  It gives you a different perspective on life, and is a constant reminder of just how lucky we all are.  I know that for me, I am always cautious of the best way to use my money.   "Do I need this $12 shirt? No, this money can go to a child/family/urgent need."  I have literally had that conversation with my self hundreds of times, and I'm thankful for the heart, and mindset that God has blessed me with.

Advocacy has changed me, and I am grateful for that.  I am a proud orphan advocate, and I wish everyone could experience having a love, so strong for a child that you have never met, never held, never spoken too, never kissed, or loved on, but yet you fight, every day, for that life.  Because these children, they matter.