I have an interesting update to this story. One of Meridian's Readers contacted me to tell me that she had been adopted from the same orphanage, the Concord House of Jesus! She asked if I could help her connect to anyone at the orphanage. We tried for several weeks to find a connection, but the orphanage has been shuttered for many years and no one knows of any way to find the previous owners. It reminded me of the movie, "Lion" and of the Book, "The Orphan Keeper". In both of these true stories, adopted children from India found their birth parents against all odds. My prayer is that this young lady will have the same blessing. We still have out feelers in India for any hint of the previous owners or workers at this orphanage. I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as a coincidence!
Son of NunSeptember 10, 2016
I am from Iraq, and once saw an orphanage where all the babies laying directly on the courtyard floor, some totally naked!
I tried contacting an NGO, but was told that they were overloaded with caring for such babies. Apparently there was no war that some of these babies could be helped or adopted. Personally, I was unable to return to Iraq as my family and I had already escaped as political refugees!
Short of prayer, I am not sure what we can do for babies/children who are uncared and unloved? I fear that they will be suffering during their mortality until death brings relief. I often pray that when they pass through the veil of death there will be a good welcome for them in the Spirit World., or in the Celestial Kingdom.
KathrynSeptember 10, 2016
Becky, thanks so much for the update on Jennifer, and for making us aware of the great need. Thanks, too, for your wonderful example in serving these children!
Sally LeeSeptember 10, 2016
Aloha. My heart is crying for the children in this world who are suffering and who do not have the affection, touch and sincere care that we all need in life. Thank you for reminding us that there are forlorn souls who need our love and kindness. They are right "under our noses" in our wards, schools and neighborhoods. We must look for them, reach out and act as Christ would act.
Becky DouglasSeptember 8, 2016
Thank you for the several responses wanting to know what happened to Jennifer. We had gone to this orphanage to obtain their help in assisting me to adopt another orphan from another orphanage. This little orphanage Jennifer was in, had an international adoption license--a very difficult thing to obtain in India. They were unable to help me, as their license only allowed them to place children who were handicapped. They told us that each of the children there had adoptive parents waiting to receive the child, but that the adoption process could take up to years in India. As my own journey to bring a child to the States took another course, we lost contact with this orphanage. I hope and pray that Jennifer was indeed adopted into a loving family. In my own case, it took another two years before I was able to bring the beautiful young lady into our home that I had been working to bring. Beautiful Esther became our tenth child and has brought untold joy into our lives, for which we are eternally grateful.
Roberta and Don HarrisSeptember 8, 2016
Thank you Becky for such a beautiful article. You have inspired us for so many years and our connection has been life altering. Not only have the poor, downtrodden and forgotten been uplifted in India but you have reminded us of the worth of every soul right in our own wards.
Thank you for everything
KathrynSeptember 8, 2016
Yes, please tell us what happened to Jennifer! What was the outcome of the meeting? How I pray she can continue to receive the love she got just a brief taste of. Otherwise, what will her little spirit conclude after she is abandoned again?
Don PritchardSeptember 8, 2016
This story brought tears to my eyes. How important is the one? It also reminds me of another story, about boy who was throwing star fish back into the sea after hundreds had beached themselves -- and would soon perish. A man asked the boy how he could possibly expect to save them all. The boy answered with wisdom beyond his years that he couldn't save them all, but if he could just save one, that would make it all worthwhile.
Grammy T.September 7, 2016
This story made me want to go get Jennifer immediately if not sooner. My heart is breaking for all these little ones. I will do what I can which is to pray for them.
BeckySeptember 7, 2016
There are so many that need our love and attention. We don't always know how to give it, but I pray that more of us will. This hurt my hear, that there are children in these situations. Any idea what's become of Jennifer?
Penny m Parker-SmithSeptember 7, 2016
Becky, What an inspiring parable and lesson. I have to admt, though, that through my misty eyes, I was waiting for the ending where you whisk her up and adopt her on the spot! My heart ached at how hard, nearly impossible and gut wrenching, to walk away....
LisaSeptember 7, 2016
It makes me want to go find Jennifer and adopt her. I wonder what ever happened to her. She reached up, wanting to be loved in the end.
DebrahSeptember 7, 2016
Great story. Now I wonder was an opportunity made available to offer assistance to the orphanage you visited?
Glen DanielsenSeptember 7, 2016
My gosh, what a potent article. Thanks so much posting this. It leaves me emotionally out of breath.
One HereSeptember 7, 2016
We have 2 sisters in our ward who meet this criteria. I will increase my efforts to "touch" them. I can make a difference for them.
Comments | Return to Story
BeckyJanuary 17, 2018
I have an interesting update to this story. One of Meridian's Readers contacted me to tell me that she had been adopted from the same orphanage, the Concord House of Jesus! She asked if I could help her connect to anyone at the orphanage. We tried for several weeks to find a connection, but the orphanage has been shuttered for many years and no one knows of any way to find the previous owners. It reminded me of the movie, "Lion" and of the Book, "The Orphan Keeper". In both of these true stories, adopted children from India found their birth parents against all odds. My prayer is that this young lady will have the same blessing. We still have out feelers in India for any hint of the previous owners or workers at this orphanage. I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as a coincidence!
Son of NunSeptember 10, 2016
I am from Iraq, and once saw an orphanage where all the babies laying directly on the courtyard floor, some totally naked! I tried contacting an NGO, but was told that they were overloaded with caring for such babies. Apparently there was no war that some of these babies could be helped or adopted. Personally, I was unable to return to Iraq as my family and I had already escaped as political refugees! Short of prayer, I am not sure what we can do for babies/children who are uncared and unloved? I fear that they will be suffering during their mortality until death brings relief. I often pray that when they pass through the veil of death there will be a good welcome for them in the Spirit World., or in the Celestial Kingdom.
KathrynSeptember 10, 2016
Becky, thanks so much for the update on Jennifer, and for making us aware of the great need. Thanks, too, for your wonderful example in serving these children!
Sally LeeSeptember 10, 2016
Aloha. My heart is crying for the children in this world who are suffering and who do not have the affection, touch and sincere care that we all need in life. Thank you for reminding us that there are forlorn souls who need our love and kindness. They are right "under our noses" in our wards, schools and neighborhoods. We must look for them, reach out and act as Christ would act.
Becky DouglasSeptember 8, 2016
Thank you for the several responses wanting to know what happened to Jennifer. We had gone to this orphanage to obtain their help in assisting me to adopt another orphan from another orphanage. This little orphanage Jennifer was in, had an international adoption license--a very difficult thing to obtain in India. They were unable to help me, as their license only allowed them to place children who were handicapped. They told us that each of the children there had adoptive parents waiting to receive the child, but that the adoption process could take up to years in India. As my own journey to bring a child to the States took another course, we lost contact with this orphanage. I hope and pray that Jennifer was indeed adopted into a loving family. In my own case, it took another two years before I was able to bring the beautiful young lady into our home that I had been working to bring. Beautiful Esther became our tenth child and has brought untold joy into our lives, for which we are eternally grateful.
Roberta and Don HarrisSeptember 8, 2016
Thank you Becky for such a beautiful article. You have inspired us for so many years and our connection has been life altering. Not only have the poor, downtrodden and forgotten been uplifted in India but you have reminded us of the worth of every soul right in our own wards. Thank you for everything
KathrynSeptember 8, 2016
Yes, please tell us what happened to Jennifer! What was the outcome of the meeting? How I pray she can continue to receive the love she got just a brief taste of. Otherwise, what will her little spirit conclude after she is abandoned again?
Don PritchardSeptember 8, 2016
This story brought tears to my eyes. How important is the one? It also reminds me of another story, about boy who was throwing star fish back into the sea after hundreds had beached themselves -- and would soon perish. A man asked the boy how he could possibly expect to save them all. The boy answered with wisdom beyond his years that he couldn't save them all, but if he could just save one, that would make it all worthwhile.
Grammy T.September 7, 2016
This story made me want to go get Jennifer immediately if not sooner. My heart is breaking for all these little ones. I will do what I can which is to pray for them.
BeckySeptember 7, 2016
There are so many that need our love and attention. We don't always know how to give it, but I pray that more of us will. This hurt my hear, that there are children in these situations. Any idea what's become of Jennifer?
Penny m Parker-SmithSeptember 7, 2016
Becky, What an inspiring parable and lesson. I have to admt, though, that through my misty eyes, I was waiting for the ending where you whisk her up and adopt her on the spot! My heart ached at how hard, nearly impossible and gut wrenching, to walk away....
LisaSeptember 7, 2016
It makes me want to go find Jennifer and adopt her. I wonder what ever happened to her. She reached up, wanting to be loved in the end.
DebrahSeptember 7, 2016
Great story. Now I wonder was an opportunity made available to offer assistance to the orphanage you visited?
Glen DanielsenSeptember 7, 2016
My gosh, what a potent article. Thanks so much posting this. It leaves me emotionally out of breath.
One HereSeptember 7, 2016
We have 2 sisters in our ward who meet this criteria. I will increase my efforts to "touch" them. I can make a difference for them.
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