Another Christmastime Adventure . . .

Last Christmas we were split between our home in Coon Rapids, and Dave's work in Eau Claire. The year before that we were bringing Vanya home from Russia. The year before that Karin and her mom were visiting Vanya. The year before that we were in Russia meeting Vanya for the first time. This Christmas we are going to welcome two Latvian boys into our home for a 4 week visit!

Having seen first-hand what it is like to live in an orphanage, and knowing that there are just so few opportunities or experiences available to the orphans there, we wanted to do what we could this year, and give two of them the experience of living with a family for a while. It may be that you have to understand very well what it means to grow up in an orphanage in order to see why this is a significant thing to do, so allow us to say briefly why we feel this is significant.

Imagine not having parks to visit, or museums to go see and learn. Imagine not having anyone to take you away on vacations. Imagine no sleep-overs at your friend's house, no riding your bikes around the neighborhood, and nothing at all that you can hold on to and say that it's yours. This is why we are welcoming two boys a chance to come and have "a big sleep-over" (as we are telling our boys).

This is our chance to show Vlad (age 14) and Dima (age 8) what it is like to live with a mom and dad who watch out for them and care for them. A chance to take them places they have never see, to teach them things they might not have even imagined, and to share with them the immeasurable love that our God and Savior has for each of us! It is a chance to begin what could be a deeply significant relationship in the development of two young boys. It is an opportunity for them to learn significantly about many things, including English.

Answers to some common questions that you might have at this point:
1) This is a "Hosting" experience for us; this is not a "pre-adoption placement" kind of deal. They may be available for adoption (they live in an orphanage, so maybe) but we don't know for sure (as of today).
2) Yes, perhaps we are gluttons for punishment! :-)
3) There is a cost to us for doing this, and we are fund-raising. We need to raise $2,800 for their travel and administrative expenses (chaperones, paperwork, insurance, etc). Please visit us at http://www.active.com/donate/2009Christmas/bergstrom
4) Your support to us in doing this is tax-deductible!! New Horizons For Children, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization! If 28 people can donate $100, we will have all that we need!
5) Yes, we are a bit scared at what could happen, perhaps even realistically scared. We have just decided that we were not going to let our fears block us from doing what we believe is important, because "God has not given us a spirit of fear..." (2 Timothy 1:7).
6) Vlad & Dima will be arriving in mid-December, and staying until mid-January.
7) Some fear may be realistic, but there is still much excitement between us as we prepare for this adventure!
8) There are a variety of physical things that we will need to provide for them (clothes, back-packs, a visit to the dentist, etc.), and we will be posting a more detailed list at another time.

God has blessed us with so much throughout our lives, and we want this Christmas season to be a time where we can share some of that with these boys, but nothing is greater than the love that he has shown us through his Son, Jesus. If you can give, we ask you to give, and partner with us in providing for what we hope will be a truly wonderful experience that will shape the lives of two boys significantly. If you can pray, we ask you to pray with us, for us, and for Vlad and Dima too. If you can talk, we ask you to share this opportunity with others that you know who might be able to give or pray for us. Thanks for your friendship, prayers, and support. If you have any questions, please ask! We will share with you as much as we can.

Luke 18:16 (NCV) "But Jesus called for the children, saying, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children."