June 25, 2009 Update
On June 27 Alexandra and George will arrive from Moscow with two children, 3 year old Artem and 4 year old Elena, coming for life-altering surgery. Although Project Hope has brought many children for medical treatment, never has a child presented such a medical challenge or such an inspiring story as Elena. After aging out of the baby orphanage, she was placed in a home for the mentally-challenged based purely on her physical appearance. Without appropriate mental stimulation and interaction, her healthy mind would have been lost forever.
As a result of meeting last September in the Penza Baby Orphanage, Artem will begin a series of late stage reconstructive surgeries for the disfiguring burns he received as an infant. Dr. David Westberry at Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina has once again offered his talents and compassion to make it possible to obtain a medical visa. The Lord provided a loving host family with extensive burn experience.
Elena was rejected at birth due to grave facial deformities that will require multiple, complex surgeries. She was identified as a Project Hope child in January, 2009. Dr. P. Craig Hobar, a well-known and respected plastic surgeon, accepted the challenge of helping this little girl without reservation. Dr. Hobar founded the Leap Foundation, www.leap-foundation.org, which is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of people around the world by providing specialized medical and surgical services. Dr. Hobar previously operated on another Project Hope orphan and the results were brilliant. His skills, his faith and his passion for underprivileged children are unmatched.
While discussing Artem's needs with the National Burn Institute in Maryland, Project Hope was referred to Lesia Cartelli, President and Founder of Angel Faces Retreat, www.angelfacesretreat.org in San Diego, California. Lesia, a former burn victim, has been featured on Dr. Phil for living her life with passion and purpose. She concentrates her work and efforts on inspiring adolescent girls with severe facial disfigurements to achieve their optimum potential. Project Hope approached her with a request that she use her considerable national contacts and reputation to help a little girl just a few years before she could participate in an Angel Faces Retreat. Lesia humbly accepted and a few days later, Jim and Katherine Berend of Dallas opened their hearts and their home to this little one. The Berends have involved a considerable network of friends and supporters to ensure Elena is never alone during her many surgeries. We are thankful for the Lord's provision as many have joined the ministry with enthusiasm and their home is right next to the hospital.
It is not an accident that this phase of Project Hope has been embraced by people from coast to coast. In order to give these two children the chance to live, be loved and be healthy, we have been led to Christians who have given their time, compassion and talents to heal shattered lives. We prayerfully request the support of all our friends as the children arrive. Please pray for Alexandra and George as they travel in Russia and back to the United States with the children. Please pray that the Lord will give these little children peace as they leave their orphanages and that they will find comfort in the loving arms of those who have worked so hard to bring them here. We have seen God's hand guide this ministry in a divine manner and we pray that He will continue to bless us with His grace and presence during the upcoming months and challenges that are ahead.
