It was 1 year ago this month at we went to China to get our Alison. What a difference a year has made! That shy 9 year old who had absolutely nothing is now a vibrant, happy, singing, spoiled 10 year old. She is an absolute joy.

Just yesterday we were notified that we have been approved to adopt another 9 year old, special needs girl from the same orphanage. Even though we applied, we didn't really think we would be accepted. But if God wills it, it will happen.

I encourage people to consider opening their hearts to one of these children. From personal experience I can assure you that they bring much more happiness than the minor incoveniences. To watch one of these children to blossom in response to being loved and cared for is indescribable.

So please celebrate with us about our new daughter. Then tell us of yours so we can celebrate with you too!

Families for the Children offers Orphan Awareness Seminars

These 1 to 2 hour sessions can be as formal or informal as you like.  Content can be adapted to the situation, size of group, and need.  Orphan Awareness is intended to introduce the hearers to the situation of the orphans of the world and the Christian response.  Response discussion includes adoption, outreach, and support.

Seminars are intended to mobilize God’s people to fulfill God’s command to care for the orphans.  Families for the Children is also available to talk with any group, large or small, about any subject that will benefit the children.

We are also happy to discuss Starting an Orphan Ministry.  Based on my own experiences in starting an orphan ministry, we will explore how to start a ministry specific to that church.  It can also be targeted to people with a passion to do more for the children but don’t know where to start. 

Northwest Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines want to help you and your new family member off to a flying start. Special Delivery^SM fares are available to families adopting children from any of our over 100 international destinations throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, India and the Middle East. (See NWA Website)

Adoptive and foster parents, birth parents and adoptees all need the same thing: connection with someone who understands. Laura Christianson, founder of Seattle-based Heartbeat Ministries, believes in the value of creating networking communities for those whose lives are impacted by adoption.  This workbook simplifies the process of building an adoption support network, providing step-by-step instructions and worksheets for how to develop a mission statement, plan a budget, recruit leadership, and create workshops, support groups, social events, and mentoring programs.  The book is intended for laypeople, clergy, and others who desire to launch an adoption ministry in their church or community. Endorsed by Christopher Padbury, Sharon Jaynes, Kristin Swick Wong, and more.

Review: Christianson’s writing style is clear and concise. She presents details in an easy-to-follow sequential manner so the most inexperienced organizer can successfully pull together their own adoption network.

Darcie Gudger TitleTrakk.com, July 16, 2007

(If you look real close you will also find Lynn Crooks’ name in the acknowledgements as a contributor.  It was an honor to help Laura with her new book.  I hope you will read it.)

"The question of how many kids we have always befuddles me… Who do you count? Do you count the step-kids you raised? The biological are a given… The adopted too… What about permanent foster who aged out in your care? What about foster who were supposed to be permanent who have reentered your lives as adults, saying your home was the only real family they ever had? What about kids who never really lived with you but spent more of their childhoods at your home than their own, who call you Mom/Dad, and who have relied on your parental skills throughout their lives due to the instability of their own homes? Do you count Godchildren? Do you count foster kids you wished you could adopt who might one day be yours permanently or may come back for guidance as adults? How do you draw the line? Where does the heart draw the line? We are able to give all we have to give to each child who takes a piece of our heart. We miss kids when they are gone, but thankfully they often come back and rejoin our family at later dates. Are they “legally ours”? Most are not… Yet, in our heart of hearts, they are our children…"

Rabecca Whalen

Inverness Vineyard Church in Birmingham, Alabama, has several aspects of ministry to Foster Care.  They encourage and equip people to be foster and adoptive parents.  They have training classes that have grown into a support group just from all the graduates.  But it doesn’t stop there.  “We’ve put together gift bags for social workers, too.  These folks are overworked and underpaid…everyone gets mad at them (birth parents, foster kids, foster parents, supervisors, the media, the public) and we just want to show them that we care about them and we value what they do.”  See Lifeline of the Vine at  http://www.invernessvineyard.org/foster/index.htm..