Little Yanise passed away in Haiti on December 13 after a brief hospital stay. We had only slightly before that received word that a family was beginning the process to adopt this beautiful little girl. We are grieving with the adoptive parents, who never got the chance to expres their love to this little girl, or even hold her in their arms. And we are rejoicing that Yanise is now free from all pain and suffering and that she is safe in the arms of her loving Father. Please join us in praying for the adoptive family and in praising God for His wonderful provision in the lives of His special ones.

Tina Maria Castro died in Guatemala on January 10, 2007, while waiting for her forever family to come forward. We don't know the cause of Maria's death nor why she had to die so young, without having known the love and security of a family. But we know the God who called her home, and we trust that He has all of these confusing and painful circumstances woven into the tapestry of His perfect, loving, and righteous plan. As we have said so many times in similar circumstances, please do not stop praying for these little ones, that God would bring them into families who will teach them about Him and give them all of the things a family can provide, to the glory of His name.

Lauren, waiting in Guatemala for the completion of her adoption, died on August 11, 2006 as a result of complications following open-heart surgery on August 10. Lauren suffered from at least six identifiable heart defects, comprising tetralogy of Fallot with additional complicating factors. This beautiful child touched many lives during her too-brief time here on earth, and her adoptive parents---of Hamilton, Ohio---look forward to the day when they will meet her again and talk with her, face to face, in the presence of the heavenly Father.

"Our dear, sweet Nicoleta went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 28, 2006, at 11:50 pm. Her short little life was so full of pain, and [we] take great comfort in knowing that she is comfortable in the arms of our Father... Everything she lacked on this earth is remembered no more, and she only knows pure peace and contentment." (From an update sent by Alison, our Medical Ministries Coordinator, on July 31, 2006) Nicoleta was only five months old and had spent her entire life in the hospital. However, she was continually presented before the Throne in prayer during her brief life, and, as Alison said in that same e-mail update, "I don't think we will ever know how much healing, protection, and supernatural comfort [Nicoleta] received because of the many people who were on their knees for her."

Erick, waiting in Guatemala for the completion of his adoption—which was nearing its final stages—died in his sleep on Sunday afternoon, February 19, 2006, at his foster home. Erick suffered from cranial stenosis, but the precise cause of his death is unknown. His adoptive parents, of Lubbock, Texas, grieve deeply at the loss of their tiny son. It is difficult for many people to understand the love adoptive parents can feel for the children they have never met, but that love is real and it runs deep. It only grows deeper and more real with each day that passes, once these parents realize the child is theirs and make the commitment to move heaven and earth to bring him home. When adoptive parents lose a child who belongs to them in their hearts but who hasn't come home yet, they face the added grief that comes with the knowledge that they never had the opportunity to hold their baby—to stroke his face, smell his hair, comfort him when he was scared or sick. Erick is now in the arms of Jesus, and though we all miss him and miss knowing him, we rejoice that he is truly home, home with his Forever Father in heaven.

On Sunday morning, September 11, 2005, little Ricardo went to be with the Lord. Ricardo had been brought into the hospital in Bucharest, Romania, suffering from pneumonia, when he was only a few weeks old. For roughly two weeks he struggled valiantly against the illness and his own weakness, often giving Alison, our Medical Ministries Coordinator who was in Romania at the time, his full attention and his beautiful smiles. On that Sunday morning, as his caregivers suctioned his airway before giving him his morning bottle, they noted that his lungs were full of puss. After they finished suctioning him and he took his bottle, he just stopped breathing. The medical professionals attempted CPR, but to no avail. After a brief struggle, the angels came, and Ricardo was delivered from his suffering. We can now clearly imagine this beautiful baby with his huge eyes, laughing and playing at the feet of our Lord, where we all in truth long to be. Many of you prayed for this precious child, and we know that your prayers were not in vain.

On October 28, 2004, little Flor de Maria, who was waiting in Guatemala for her forever family, was ushered into glory. Maria was born with spina bifida and suffered from the common complication of hydrocephalus. She had a shunt in place to drain the excess fluid from her head, but apparently that shunt failed sometime late in October. On Wednesday, October 27, Maria was taken to the hospital because of seizures. All efforts to help her were in vain, and on Thursday, October 28, Maria died. Maria had been on our Web site for over a year, waiting for a family. We thank God that now she is with her true forever family, free from suffering and pain. Thank you all for your prayers for this beautiful child, and please don't stop praying for all of the Marias in this world.

On October 22, 2004, precious little Manuel, who was waiting in Guatemala for his forever family in Ohio, passed away and now is in the arms of Jesus. Manuel was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth and had contracted pneumonia; he was in serious condition and in the ICU for several days. On Thursday, October 21, Manuel took a turn for the better and was taken out of ICU, but he still had 'round-the-clock supervision from nurses in the hospital. Then, the next day, he slipped away to where there is no more pain or sickness, and where he will forever live in the eternal love and presence of his Forever Father. Sweet Manuel touched many, many lives, and he was a very wanted and prayed-for baby. The preciousness of his life was recognized by many. We are all praying for the God of all comfort to comfort Manuel's waiting family and surround them with His peace.

We are very sad to announce the passing of Brenda, who was in Guatemala. She underwent heart surgery on August 14, 2004 to correct her congenital heart condition, known as tetralogy of Fallot. Although she survived the initial surgery, she passed away soon after. The family pursuing her adoption is grieving deeply, but they are uplifted in the knowledge that Brenda is now in the arms of the Savior. Please join all of us at The Shepherd's Crook in praying for this family who so loved this beautiful but frail child.

"On September 3, precious Seung Ho passed away due to complications of a brain hemorrhage. Seung Ho had Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome, an inherited disorder characterized by eczema and increased susceptibility to infection. A blood cord donor had been found and he was preparing for surgery to correct his condition when the hemorrhage occurred. Seung Ho spent his final months at Eastern's Baby Hospital and was deeply loved by the staff. His former foster family and the staff of Eastern Social Welfare Society are devastated by his death.

"While we are saddened by his death, we are rejoicing that this precious child is no longer in pain, will never know suffering again, and is truly with his Forever Family in heaven."

This write-up was taken from the Heart and Seoul website.

On August 22, little Denis---renamed Samuel by his adoptive family and still waiting in Bucharest for his adoption to be completed---went home to be with the LORD. This is the first death of a Shepherd's Crook child whose adoption was in process, and we are all mourning him deeply. We know that the pain of his family must be far greater. If a person who had never adopted were asked to say when a child really belongs to his family, he might tell you that it happens when the last form is signed. Or perhaps he would say that it is when the child comes home to his new house. But those who have adopted know that it happens much earlier. It begins when adoptive parents first hear their child's name and see his picture. Before long, they think about this child who is still oceans away as often as they think about the children already living in their home. In a very real way, Samuel's family has just lost their son, and we ask you all to pray that God will help them through their grief. Eric and Kim, we want to tell you how much you and your children have blessed us. Even through your pain, you have been a model of Christian suffering and an encouragement to us all. We mourn with you, we love you, and we so look forward to meeting Samuel with you in Paradise.

This article can be read in it's entirety in our Winter 2004 newsletter.

For those of you who have prayer cards for little Nguyen Thi Ut in Vietnam, we received word two days ago [March 21] that she has died. We know now that since our last communication with Vietnam, she has been in and out of the hospital and suffering much. We are so sad to ever think of any child suffering and dying alone without a family to hold and love her. Sometimes the work God has given us to do seems way too big and sad and heavy. Then we remember that, of course it is too big for us, but not for Him whose work it truly is. We come back to the Amy Carmichael quote we love so much, "God has called us to serve in this work alongside Him -- not the other way around." We cannot understand His ways, but we can trust Him and believe that His unfathomable love for these children is far greater than ours can ever be. We are so grateful to all of you who took her prayer card and committed to pray for her. We are thankful that she left this world covered in your prayers.

This write-up was taken from the March 23, 2003 TSC update.

We received word this morning that one of the babies listed on our Web site died last night. Little Alexandra is ... one of the reasons that we will fight until we can't fight any more for these weakest of the weak among the infinite number of fatherless children in the world. Fortunately, God knows Alexandra's true worth; she is now cradled in the arms of her true Forever Father and no longer has need of our meager efforts to improve her painful life here on earth. Please don't stop praying for the children who need help---the ones that God has brought across our path---the ones for whom we continue to seek families.

This write-up was taken from the November 5, 2001 TSC update.