Prayers for a special boy

Oh, how I would love your prayers for this special boy. This is Robinhio, and at 9 years old, he is the oldest child at Rivers of Hope. He has been at ROH at least as long as Jonathan has which is 3 years. There is something about him that you can't forget. His smile is endearing and he speaks with such respect and sincerity which is a soft contrast to the tall, strong, healthy rambunctious boy that he is. He has worked very hard to learn English so that he can talk with families when they come to ROH. He goes out of his way to formally introduce himself and ask for your name. Based on the conversations we had, I think he is approaching fluency.

He is watching as his creche brothers and sisters are 1 by 1 going home to their families, but he still does not have a Mama Blanc or Papa Blanc. When Jonathan brought his backpack to ROH to show the kids the clothes we brought for him that were packed inside, the kids gathered around and watched with excitement as Jonathan pulled each item out of the backpack. The only one not excited was Robinhio. He watched and he was happy for Jonathan but the look on his sad face broke my heart. I can only imagine what he was thinking and questioning.

There is a family in the states interested in adopting Robinhio. Rachel has gone to IBESR (Haitian social services) and pleaded with them to match Robinhio with this family, but IBESR is giving no indication that they will approve the match. His paperwork is ready, all that is required for him to have a family is a yes from IBESR.

Rachel doesn't say it but I know that if Robinhio doesn't have a family soon, she is going to have to find another place for him to live. He is already much older than what she is set up for at ROH.

We watched Rachel lobby for Robinhio hard when she had the ear of one of the IBESR leaders. Pray that Monsier Guillaume will find Robinhio's file and put it at the top of the pile of folders on the IBESR desk Monday morning and somebody will look at it and move it along. I really think his referral could come any day if IBESR says yes.

Please pray for this kid. He deserves a family who will love him. He needs to know soon that he has a family before he loses hope. Just to know that he has a family would reassure him as more of the kids are getting closer to going home.