Welcome! Please "come in" and meet our 2008 Winter Hosting Children. We would like to introduce you to Andre, Vlad and Tonya. These brothers and their sister will be visiting with us from December 2008 to January 2009 through an orphan hosting organization called New Horizons for Children.Through one of my co-workers (David); Randall and I were introduced to the New Horizons ministry which facilitates the hosting of orphan children from Russia and Lativa for four to five weeks. This is our second time hosting Tonya and Vlad. We met Tonya and Vlad this summer during the Summer 2008 hosting program. They are awesome kids. It was amazing for us to personally witness God's hand in these children's lives as well as our own. Our God is awesome. This summer we ran into complete strangers that were literally answers to our prayers. Complete strangers who happened to speak Russian and/or wanted to support the children by buying the kids needed school supplies. These little coincidences or little blessings happened on at least five different occasions where complete strangers just so happen to show up at the right time and in the right place. We met these "angels" in the check out line at Wal-mart, at Burlington Coat Factory, Pizza Hut, and in a small bakery in the town where I grew up.
This Christmas, we were led to host again but this time NHFC asked if we could host Tonya and Vlad's older brother as well. God has placed a calling on our hearts to host all three children. God answers prayers. We have been praying for not just for Tonya and Vlad, but for Andre as well. You see, three years ago when I was first introduced to NFHC I could not host. My father was undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. I went to the informational session at Fortified Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, GA. It is there, we "met" these three kids in a picture. They touched my heart, and even though I could not host...I could pray. I prayed for these children especially. We felt led to host with David and Sara, but I could not. I prayed that God would cure my father's cancer so we could host with out potentially exposing him to any illness. When my father received a clear bill of health Tonya and Vlad were able to come however Andre was not able to come. Ironically, David and Sara's host child was not able to come. A year later, things just "fell neatly into place" for David's family and ours to host together.
When Vlad and Tonya arrived in Atlanta, it was like a wirlwind. We took time off from work to take them camping, Six Flags, World of Coke, Stone Mountain, the Georgia Aqurium, the Delta Airlines Musuem, The Atlanta History Musuem, Dave & Busters, Chuckee Cheese Pizza and a great deal of swimming. It was through the assistance and prayers of our parents, our family members, our friends and our co-workers that allowed us to help these children. It would not have been possible with out them. We were also able to fulfill the mission of NHFC by exposing these children to the American Culture, the English language, the love of a Christian family, and more importantly to the love of a savior. This Christmas season we have the distinct honor of hosting Tonya, Vlad and their older brother Andre. As we prepare for this season. We humbly ask for your prayers. If you are interested in making a tax deductable donation to help pay the costs of airfare and visas please visit http://www.active.com/donate/orphanchristmas2008/vanhorn2008
If you are interested in the hosting program check out http:www.newhorizonsforchildren.org
