(: Introducing Elijah :)

Introducing Elijah Garrett Hanks!

(Circa May 2015)

His is the sweet face for which we've waited. He was abandoned near a gate in his village, likely before he reached one month old. He was taken to the police station and then to a local orphanage, where he has spent the rest of his precious life thus far. Elijah is 16 months old and has cleft palate. Orphans that are never adopted into a family become outcasts of society. This young child, full of potential, needs a new beginning.
Elijah is described as "a quiet boy who has a ready smile and is very obedient." His nannies wrote: "He is a cute boy. We all like him and hope he could find a family who loves him, makes him feel the love of parents, and have a happy childhood and bright future. We believe he could bring more happiness to his future family." Even his nannies know that an orphanage is no substitute for a family.
We are incredibly excited to bring Elijah home and make him part of our family! We've waited so long to meet the boy that stole our hearts long ago. He needs parents to take him in a warm embrace, read stories before bed, snuggle after waking, give him guidance, provide for him, and create a sense of belonging. He needs family to enjoy fun activities, cheer him on, take him on vacations, and encourage his dreams. He needs a community to help educate him, model citizenship, and demonstrate leadership.
But before all of this, Elijah needs to make it home. He needs to learn trust of parents he has never met. He needs surgery for cleft palate repair. He needs to learn to speak, and in a language he has never heard before.

(Circa October 2015)

We are so grateful that you've joined us on this adoption journey. We are asking you to be part of his new family, new community, and new identity. One day he will ask us why he was abandoned, why he was born with a problem, and why he spent well over a year in an orphanage. He will ask us why we persevered through the long paper chase and why we chose him. He will ask who helped us through this journey and who wanted him brought home to the Hanks family. To help him see the big picture, we will give him piece after piece, trying to show him just how much he is loved.

Please be a part of Elijah's puzzle. Phillip and I will write your name on the back of a piece to be treasured forever. One day Elijah may realize he doesn't have a birth story or even an accurate birth date. He may notice that he doesn't have a baby book or know his first given name. When Elijah starts to forget how much he is loved and where he belongs, we can pull out this puzzle and assemble it again and again, to show our collective affection for this cherished little boy.

Elijah's Puzzle Page
(Donations are tax deductible)

This puzzle fundraiser is to help pay for the $10,000 trip to China to bring Elijah home. Elijah appreciates your generosity! We are thankful for your prayers!