Arrival day!

 

Arrival day is less than 24 hours away! I will be taking a quick day trip to Miami to pick up JM and bring him home. This is the first time that I have had a host child return a second time. We are so excited! There is less to "get ready" but definitely just as much excitement. My boys can't wait. 

I have always wondered how much these activities affect my children. I know that it allows them to learn about other people, other cultures and expose them to other ways of thinking. But, just within the past two weeks, I really was surprised at how Hudson (my middle child) had not only recalled from our first experience but how much he had been able to discuss current events.

We had a guest over and we were telling him all about our crazy and chaotic lives. We talked about how JM will be coming to visit and stay with us for a few months. Hudson then talked about our first guests, N and Y from Ukraine. He spoke about who they are, where they live and how the ongoing war has affected them and us. I was very proud of him and his abilities to express concern for those kids, have a good understanding of why they cannot return and be able to express his feelings. 

These experiences are very much life changing, not only for the child we are hosting, but also for us. I continue to be in shock and awe about how my children welcome these children into our home, our family and our lives with open arms. Children really do have amazing hearts. They learn hate, and I am grateful that they are learning love. Yes, there are many ways that they can learn this but this is one way that we are doing it. 

I will be posting here throughout the summer, journaling our stories. If you want to learn more about hosting or adoption or follow any one of the other families hosting this summer, please reach out. All of them are either doing blogs or have private Facebook groups. Orphan hosting programs are short-term initiatives that bring children from international orphanages or foster care systems—often in Eastern Europe, Asia, or Latin America—to live with families in the U.S. for a few weeks, usually during the summer or holidays.

The goal is to give the child a loving, family experience outside of their orphanage or institution. Hosting helps raise awareness about the child’s needs and can sometimes lead to adoption, though it’s not required. These programs also give host families a chance to advocate for the child and support their emotional and developmental growth through love, stability, and everyday experiences.

It’s a life-changing opportunity—for both the child and the family. 

If you would like to support us, Financial contributions (directly to me OR if you would like to make a charitable donation on our behalf, please reach out):

Venmo: @Teresa-McCann-6

PayPal: paypal.me/teresamccann6 (last four of my phone number is x2993)