As of right now, this blog has had over 13,500 hits from over 35 countries since Wednesday. It's been translated and printed in Russian. I've been fielding calls and emails for interview requests from worldwide media. I can barely keep up with that much less the endless comments.
I want to say this to the Russian people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are good people who want the best for your country. The comments I have received are overwhelmingly positive with only a few negative mixed in. My heart is with you!
I never could have imagined all of this! This isn't because of me. This is because of God! He is my father, and he is the father of the fatherless! If you do not know Him, I'd like to introduce you. Just leave me a comment!
He is the reason I am clam. He is the reason I have strength to continue on and fight for my daughter. He is the reason that though I'm scared beyond words for the safety of myself and my daughter, and for the fate of all orphans, I will continue to press on and fight for justice. We have an enemy in Satan. But we have victory in Jesus!
That's how we got here.
And as I predicted, President Putin signed the bill banning American Adoptions as I slept last night...committed to keeping all of my electronics turned off!
I haven't had time to cry since I awoke before 7 am PST.
So what's next?
It is my understanding from the current news reports in Russia that SIX children whose adoptions have been cleared in court will be able to come home. That would make my Polina one of six. For that, I rejoice. For the remaining 700,000 plus orphaned children in Russia, I weap that the number of families able to adopt them is being reduced and I pray that President Putin will make it possible for more Russian citizens to open their homes, and that you would answer the call to do that!
Russian people, you are amazing people. I pray that you would adopt your children into your homes. I believe that being adopted by Russian parents is good for them! I know the process is long and hard. I pray that your president makes it more smooth and possible for you. I know that your infrastructure isn't set up well for handicapped children like Polina and that it makes it difficult for families to care for them. Please understand that there are children in the "home for invalids" that are completely capable - far more than Polina. They can walk. They are smart. They understand far beyond what we give them credit for. Don't pass them up. Check them out!
Even if you can't adopt, you can help. You can foster. You can visit. You can volunteer. You can love. You can pray.
I wish I could write more now, but I have some other things that I need to attend to. But again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. You have mine!
First comment!
ReplyDeleteПоздравляю Вас на хороших новостей! (which, being translated, means I congratulate you on your good news. Or, more shortly, YAY!)
Thank you for this, Kendra. You have our support. Be sure.
ReplyDeleteYou are not ENTITLED to adopt a Russian kid; it's a priveledge. Keep in mind the US governemnt has NOT held up its end of the US Russia adoption treaty, specifically by: denying Russian officials access to Russian-born kids who've been absed in the US & not providing information on abused/killed Russian-born kids to Russia in a timely manner.
ReplyDeleteThe US broke the law. Russia may well be breaking the law by refusing to let Americans in progress complete their adoptions (and is well within their rights to do so).
Did you really, truly think it was OK for the US to refuse to respect an international treaty and for Russia to say "oooh, no worries! you can keep adopting our kids!!".
What the heck are you talking about? There's no politics for kids!
DeleteGo and explain the kids that were up to be adopted, that 'politics' is why they won't be adopted.
Symmetric response means symmetric response - go and prohibit american people who you think break people's rights and liberties from entering Russia.
You, guys, are such jerks...
first, you are lying. and second, you do it here, in this certain blog which is held be devastated person. who could you? как тебе не стыдно, мразь? как же тебе не стыдно так нагло врать, сука?
Deleteэто неправда, идиот
Deleteнаш собственный депутат говорит, что когда он был губернатором красноярской области, он отправил человека в США проверить, как там поживают приемные дети из его региона - и ему показали все семьи
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHbzVR7UeCE - вот он об этом говорит...
у нас за убийство ребенка дают родителям лет 5-6, в США - 10-20, почувствуй разницу. и за наших столько давали, кроме Димы.
что до привилегий - сначала сам поживи в наших домах инвалидов, а потом рот открывай, мразь...
CTraanter you are lying!!! In the first line and you are supporting KGB putins Russia criminals in power. Shame on you bloody CTraanter.....
DeleteAnton Kalinin!
dear Kendra, I am Russian and I hope your posts will be evidence on a trial against those government bastards. Please stay strong, and I do hope things will change and you will be able to hug your daughter.
ReplyDeleteKendra—I am in Colorado until January 10th. Is Polina in or near Moscow? Can I bring back anything for her? I could also go see her, if I'm allowed, and try to explain anything you want me to tell her. Please, truly, let me know if I can help.
ReplyDeleteSincerely yours, Tamara Smith
Tamara, is there any way to donate money or goods for the children? Iwould be interested in helping, is there an organization who sends things like toys and clothing?
DeleteSincerely,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie. Unfortunately the same law, which abandoned US adoption, also ban US donations to Non-Commercial Organization. NCO can be closed, and it's funds conficated in case of US support or US citizen as a member.
DeleteThank you for your kindness, for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for your family! May God bless you!
Sonia, Russia.
Dear Kendra, keeping my fingers crossed for you. All the people here who are not brainwashed hate this immoral bill which turns to be a law...
ReplyDeleteCTraanter, have you adopted "a Russian kid" yourself? Or are you simply interested in taking political sides? Can you even see past the politics of American government versus Russian government? I doubt it. Clearly NO child should be abused, much less die in an adoptive family. Neither should any child be denied a loving family and left to grow up in an institution. Every child is "entitled" to love and a positive future--ensuring that should be the focus of both governments' actions.
ReplyDeletethank you!
Deletegood evening
ReplyDeleteYour blog entry dropped into the middle of the fight over the orphants like a bomb. It is, however widely, circulating so far in the online media, not exactly being "printed". Those are the Russian analogues of liberals who are calling and mailing to you with their support.
The real, non-digital Russian looks at impersonified you as polled and dissected here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/12/28/the-real-reason-russia-wants-to-ban-adoptions-by-dangerous-american-families/
my heart leaps for you and your family. As an international adoptee myself and having watched several families adopt from russia i can unequivocally say there is no greater gift...
ReplyDeleteBoth her (and your) lives will never be the same. Thank you for your dedication and faithfulness to this beautiful little girl.
Congrats on your new forever family.
As I read this at work, I fight to hold back my tears. My heart hurts for these precious children (and all children suffering around the world) I pray that you get to bring your daughter home soon!
ReplyDeleteFucking putin.....
ReplyDeleteDear Kendra, Jason and Carter!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and brothers, we are all the children of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Polina's story touches the hearts of Russians. I want your know, we are not indifferent, we are fighting for Freedom of Russia. Valery Panyushkin said "Only two organizations in the world scare their enemies by harming their own children: Hamas and the United Russia party." https://www.facebook.com/panyushkin.valery/posts/10151298793023724
Putin, and his friends – thieves and killers torment Russia. They killed Sergey Magnitsky and now they are going to kill childs.
I wish Polina will be an American citizen and be proud her parents! She will know the greatest words in the Humans History, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"!
Marry Christmas and the Happy New Year!
P.S. Kendra, please watch and share video, other important information about very good russian man and lawer Sergey Magnitsky http://justiceforsergei.com/video.php?id=1
America!
ReplyDeleteAnd all the people of all the round world!
Forgive us, the regular people of Russia for these freaks!
We are struck with shame very much for these knuckleheads !
But they are our knuckleheads therefore we are struck with shame very much for ourselves !
Forgive us!
Kendra, I'm sitting here heartbroken for your little girl and your family. With all the sadness in the news, few things have made me cry lately but, thinking of your little girl encouraging you, I'm sitting here bawling. I'm keeping your situation at the top of my prayer list.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and Polina, I pray she will come home to you soon. This is all so sad for the orphaned children of Russia. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, the negative commentors seem to forget there are real live flesh and blood humans who are being affected by this horrible law. For you, my wish is that you will get your princess home soon. I can't wait until the day we hear about that homecoming.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a strength and willing to use your voice to help these children. Your heart is strong....and God will guide you and your voice to continue to be able to speak with love towards the Russian people and help the children that need homes. I respect you so much for what you ahve done. Praying always.
ReplyDeleteI was so broken-hearted when I heard you may not be able to bring Polina home. We have other friends in the same position right now and it is SO SO SO wrong! We are behind you and have your back if there is anything we can do to help! Praying Polina is home safely and SOON!
ReplyDeleteDear Kendra. I am Russian. I would like to say you thank you from the bottom of my heart. I cry every time reading your blog. People in Russia don't support this shameful law, they just can't do much under Putin's regime. Stay strong and I will pray with you that on 29th of January pollinator and you will go home together.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. Do you get to take her home or not? Please let us know!
ReplyDeleteKendra, know that the majority of Russians with you. We are not against adoption of sick children. We are shocked by the law. Honestly. So help you God. He will not leave neither you nor the other children. I believe. I beg you - Pray for Pauline, and for the other kids. I'm Russian and live in Russia. And I am ashamed of my government. For my president. But almost the entire country is on your side.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your daughter.
ReplyDeleteIrina
I just want you to know that I am part of a prayer group on Facebook with almost 3000 members, largely based in NWA but with members all over the country. I have posted a link to your story and we are praying for God to open doors and allow your daughter to come home.
ReplyDeletePraying in faith, believing she will be home soon.
ReplyDeletethank googdness you will be able to take your daughter home. As a russian citizen, i am ashamed of our corrupted government, i am heartbroken and devastated by what they are doing to these families who are in the process of adoption, and more so for our children who will never know what a family is. There is no cure for them, there is no God for them, i honestly was never full of hatred towards human beings, but those "things" are not humans, they are heartless politicians who won't stop at anything.....bless your family, and i prey that you get to see your girl very soon.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMay you get second citizenship?
ReplyDeleteYou're a very good woman. God help you!
ReplyDeleteKendra, cheer up! I hope your daugher will be with you soon. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteNadya from Moscow
Beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of us.
Good luck.
I'm happy that your Polina will be able to make it. That she will be one of those last few who will have a shot at being normal - not invalids.
ReplyDeleteBut make no mistake about it - others won't. There's no way Russia will be able to care for those kids in any foreseeable future. None. Moreover, Russia won't even try. With this law, the government shows that they just don't care.
You are a good women.
ReplyDeleteWhile i was reading your wonderful words (yes, they're really wonderful) my eyes was wet.
I'm from Russia. Politicians made all of those kids as a means in their disputes.
I hope it'll all come out in the wash, God is on your side (although I don't believe that he was somehow it affects)
Kendra, thank you very much. Im sure you are gonna be a great mother for little Polina. People like you give me strength to keep fighting against our goverment.
ReplyDeleteVadim, St. Petersburg
wow.. congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI`m sorry(((
ReplyDeletepUTIN needs to kick in disgrace.!
My name is Slava and I'm from St. Petersburg, in Russia. Dear Kendra, many Russian people support you and Pauline and other orphans. We, I have a right to speak so strongly against this law and we ask you to forgive us for what we were not able to defend our and your children. We are all children of the Lord. Forgive us! You are a brave man and my prayers are with you, my dear Kendra. God bless you and your family, our Lord Jesus Christ. God's blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteYour Russian Orthodox friend.
OMG I'm so happy for you! I've read the post and thought that the "law has no backtime force" (I don't know how to translate it correctly into English) meaning the court decisions may not be affected by the new laws, that were taken after the cour decision has been made.
ReplyDeleteAnyway my best wishes for you and Paulina
Dear Kendra, may all the good luck be with you and your dearest Polina on your way home.
ReplyDeleteAs many had said before, I'm ashamed of my government, of my president and of all those unhumanly things who call themselves "parlament". I'm really fighting for the freedom of Russia and for the wellbeing of our children, as many do. So please, forgive us for we are not so good at fighting, we try really hard, and I assure you - the majority of Russian people would NEVER support this terrible law.
Stay strong and feel all the love we send to you and your little girl.
Varya from Moscow.
Dear Kendra,
ReplyDeletePraise God you can take Polina home. Although I am not Russian I am from one of the former Soviet countries (Belarus). I am sure the Lord will bless you beyond imagination. Please, don't pay attention to what some people say here, they just have no clue what it is to love, what it is to help and to be a blessing to those children who are desperately need love and family. My mom fostered one boy and shortly after adopted a girl. I've been involved in Christian charity missions to help orphans, as well as to play with them, to teach them and just to spend some time with them. Unfortunately things that are taking place are not for good. And all those politicians will be responsible before God one day.
I wish you many blessings from God! Be strong! I am sure you will look after Polina! Many blessings!
Fedor
Dear Kenda,
ReplyDeleteI am atheist, and cannot attribute it to god, but I am exremely happy for you and Polina.
We have been trying to adopt a little guy with HIV and stand with you in prayer for these children, first of all that they will know the love of a Saviour, for we know this world in temporary and short. We too will pray for you and continue to pray that the Lord will place these "lonely in families" Thankyou for sharing the Lord's wisdom and truth and gracious love with the world- He is good.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteAnna, Russia4