We Make A Difference

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When our children are sick, we wish we can take it away, don’t we? We want to take their pain/suffering on ourselves. What happens to the children in other countries and even in our own who are not able to get the medical care they need?! There is an incredible organization, Healing the Children and we have the opportunity to hear from the executive director of the Florida/Georgia chapter, Arlene Rhodenbeck.

For Arlene, it began when she was a young girl and her mother, then a Mary Kay representative happened upon a person from Healing the children back in 1979. She was so touched with the story that she wrote to the founder and began to send money. Eventually, her heart strings were being pulled… so she asked her children for their support in being a part of Healing the Children. She started the Northeast chapter in 1980.

It was two years ago that Arlene also felt the pull. She accepted the position as the executive director and plans to continue this path until God gives her another direction, she says.

There are three core programs with Healing the Children: Local kids programs, an international/inbound program and a medical missions program. They also have relief programs overseas to bring medical supplies to other countries.

Families have many ways to help out. We can donate our time by contacting local chapters and helping out in the office or with families. We can also become a host family for any of the children who are coming from around the world. There is a thorough application process, a background check, references, and a home study to ensure the safety of the children coming. The average stay is 3-4 months in your home and your family is basically the family that the child does not have. (Normally, the parent does not accompany the child.) When I asked about language barriers, Arlene simply stated that as long as the child feels love and safe, they oftentimes leave the United States knowing English!

So, Moms and Dads… if this episode speaks to you and you feel so inclined in your heart of hearts to volunteer as a parent or a medical professional or even be a host family, please log onto www.healingthechildren.org and you’ll find all the information you need. All you have to do is to look into their eyes, Arlene said and you’ll know…

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