ABOUT US...
Twice a year,
LeAnn Dakake, mother of 6 children, (four adopted from Russia; one from Latvia; 2 as teens, 1 special needs)
travels with and leads small mission teams from
different churches to Eastern European orphanages during the
months of January and September.
The teams go into selected orphanages and take humanitarian aid
with them. Items include shoes, clothes, school supplies or
whatever the needs may be for the particular orphanage. Together
with the orphanage director and care-givers, LeAnn and the team
begin the interviewing process and get to know the children in
order to make the difficult decisions of which ones will
participate in the next hosting program. Typically, the team
will talk to each child, take a photo or two and watch them as
they interact with other children, the team members and their
care-givers.
They search for children who have a "resilience factor" in their
lives that helps them to overcome past obstacles and
difficulties. Mrs. Dakake relates, "All orphans have issues and
most have experienced "bad things" in their lives. But, why do
some overcome and go on and others cannot? A child that has a
gift of being an extraordinary artist, musician, athlete,
academics (especially language) or even a sense of humor--the
ability to laugh at oneself and move on---these are the
resilience factors that I have learned and seen first hand, that
help children to heal and move on with normal lives."
View our PowerPoint presentation
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Mrs. Dakake uses
some personal history and understanding of Attachment Disorder in the
decision-making process having adopted a teen daughter eight years ago from
Russia who was eventually diagnosed with the disorder. She states, "While there
is no sure-fire way to 100% know if a child has the disorder or not. research
based on classroom instruction, literature and books written by
Attachment Therapists around the country, and personal
experiences, indicate that certain children show particular
mannerisms, personality and character traits that typically lend them to being
suspect for Attachment Disorder. Children who exhibit AD traits are not
considered for participation in the hosting program. "Sometimes it's just a gut
feeling or personal trigger reaction I feel, that seems too familiar from the of
days raising our AD daughter", shares Dakake.
Since the team's time with the children is limited, they start with the
recommendations of the orphanage care-givers who know them best. Then, from this
group of children, the interviews take place and the group is selected.
Overall, the team is led by constant prayer...their simple request is "Lord,
please lead us to the children You already have in mind, and also lead the
families at home to the program...the ones that You already know will come...so
each child will be with the family that You want them to ultimately be with. We
pray that everything we do glorifies You and is Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen"
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