For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me. Mat 25:35-36 NIV
We are now signing up host families for our summer hosting. If you'd like more information or you're interested in hosting a child this upcoming summer, please contact Jennifer@SimplyForLatvia.org .
What is hosting?
If you want to impact the life of a child in a major, life-changing way, then hosting may be for your family.
If you are intrigued by foreign missions, but simply aren't able to travel, then hosting may be for your family.
If your family is ready to see God working in a mighty way, then hosting may be for your family.
During a hosting, Christian families, in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and West Virginia (other states, no problem), invite a child (or children) from an orphanage in Latvia to come and live in their homes for four to five weeks. While the child is in their home, the host family will love him and treat him as if he was their own. While the child is here, that family will show God's love by loving the child unconditionally. It may be the first time the child has ever experienced such a love. Our prayer is that by our example, these children will long for a close relationship with Christ, and will have hope for their own futures.
We host older children, ages 10 and older, boys, girls and sibling groups (sibling groups may include children younger than 10). Some of the children may be available for adoption. Some of the children will not be available for adoption. If a family (whether it be the host family or another family who has met the child) decides to adopt, we can offer personal advice and have many contacts in the country of Latvia. However, we are not an adoption agency. We do not handle adoptions, and we make no profit at all from the hostings or adoptions.
*If you plan to adopt, please be aware that adoption laws are changing. As of April 1, 2008, there are major changes in adoptions between the US and Latvia. If you have any questions, we'll gladly help point you in the right direction.
Some of the children speak English very well, some speak basic English, and some speak practically no English. While the children are here, host families will help the children improve their English skills, which will benefit the children.
Communication is always a concern for host families, yet seldom is a true problem. We have translators here in the U.S.. Also, a chaperone / translator from an orphanage in Latvia will travel with the children and visit the children and the host families during the hosting. You will never be alone throughout the hosting.
Costs
Hosting costs vary each hosting (mainly depending on airfare which is by far the greatest expense and ever-increasing), but are usually around $2000 - $2500 each child. Host families are responsible for the costs of the child / children they host. Again, you won't be alone. We'll help with fundraising and seeking support.
What we are not
We are not an adoption agency. We are not in the busines of adoption. We do not profit from the hostings or any adoptions. We do not guarantee adoptions and we do not require adoptive families to use any specific agencies. There are no hidden fees associated with any adoptions that may result from our hostings. Before you commit to host with any hosting program, be sure to ask about hidden fees or requirements to use specific agencies.
What we are
100% ministry. We simply want to help the children and families of Latvia.
How to Get Involved
If you would like information on the hosting, or would like information on the children participating in the next hosting, contact Jennifer@SimplyForLatvia.org right away.
If you'd like to consider a hosting in an area outside of Metro-Atlanta, please let us know.
If you would like to view our Hosting photo album, please contact Jennifer@SimplyForLatvia.org for a temporary password.