Hello ,

Joyce Daugherty, a member of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, traveled to an orphanage in Donetsk, Ukraine, and it was there that she saw 2-year-old Kristen. Her beautiful blue eyes framed the edges of a facial tumor, a hemangioma, but even that could not hide the baby's impish grin.

"Kristen's eyes were so alert that I just kept watching her," said Daugherty. "There was something special that tumor could not hide. I could have taken any of the children I saw home with me. At the same time, I knew if I adopted Kristen, she'd have more than a new start—she'd have a new life."

"These children are throw-aways in Ukraine," says Nancy Stanbery who has helped facilitate more than 130 adoptions in Ukraine. "Most Ukrainian families are afraid of a child with any kind of disability. Mothers take them to an orphanage or abandon them in a public place, walk away and never look back."

Daugherty chose Kristen. In November 2004, a Louisville surgeon removed the hemangioma. Thin scars healed and everything about Kristen changed dramatically. She chattered constantly—said, "I love you" over and over again to her momma.

In a similar way, while we were still unlovely, our heavenly Father chose us, adopted us, and gave us new life in his Son. And we love him—because he first loved us.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word