New Orphan Care Facility in Ethiopia

It’s always exciting to hear about how others are helping orphans.  There is a wonderful new orphan care facility being planned in Ethiopia.  It is sponsored by Christian World Adoption.  The facility will care for orphans by providing for orphans who are waiting to be adopted.  There is a blog post about it here.  You can also read more about it by going directly to CWA. 

 

 

Is Adoption Really a Christian Duty?

CBNNews.com by Charlene Israel- The Bible tells us to care for the orphans and that task grows tougher each year. Right now, there are an estimated 140 million orphans worldwide.

How can we stem this tide? A group of Christian organizations and churches are working together to find the answer.

Images of children singing and dancing with joyful hearts are not usually associated with orphans. 

But that is just one focus of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, a group working to heighten awareness and motivate Christians to care for orphans.

More than 600 church and ministry leaders met recently in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for an adoption summit to spread the word to the world.

Che Walters is the president of Caring World.

“Originally I’m an immigrant from Camaroon, Africa,” he said.  “I’ve seen the big need for the world to join together to help the orphan kids and I think part of my mission is to join this global fight.”

800,000 Children in U.S. Foster Care

Bethann Richard came all the way from Joshua, Texas to attend the summit. 

“When you’ve had an opportunity to watch a child get water to drink from the same pond that animals are drinking from and standing in it changes you. You realize there’s a world out there that needs your help,” she told CBN News.  “It’s important for me to be here to learn how to help those kids.”

Disaster, disease and neglect have put more than 143 million children in a desperate situation. The Burma cyclone and the China earthquake have left thousands of children orphaned in just a matter of days. According to recent statistics, every fourteen seconds — an AIDS-related death takes a parent away from their children.  Some 800,000 children pass through America’s foster care system each year.

Maridel Sandberg is the co-founder of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.  She believes the Church is the answer to that problem.

“We’re just encouraging the whole body, everybody,” she told CBN News.  “Not everybody can adopt.  Not everybody can go to China.  But you can be here as a resource.  You can care for a foster child.  You can provide resources,” Sandberg explained.  “You can provide respite for a foster family, who just needs a break from their kids.  It’s what God is doing and we get to benefit, because we get to be along to watch him work right there.”

Kay Warren, author and wife of renowned pastor Rick Warren, issued a stirring challenge for the Church to do more about caring for orphans.

“Six years ago, I became a serious and permanently-disturbed woman,” she said.  “This is what it will take for orphans for the Church to respond. The Church must become — not this — ‘God, yes,  I surrender,’ but so disturbed that we are compelled,” Warren explained.  “We must act.  It no longer becomes optional.  It no longer becomes something we do if we have time, if we can fit it into our schedules.”

Celebrities are also joining the fight to save orphans.  Eduardo Verastegui, one of the stars of the pro-family movie Bella, credits the film for changing his outlook on life.

“My goal and our goal should be to empty every single orphanage in the world,” he said.  “Children don’t need to be there.  They should have a family who loves them. If more people think about adoption, if more people know about what adoption really is, no children would be in orphanages. Instead of orphanages, we need to have the children placed in families that care for them and that’s what I want to do,” Verastegui continued.

Focus on the Family’s John Fuller says a growing number of Christians share the same sentiments as Verastegui.

“I think what we’re seeing here with 600 or more people is just the start of something and in five or 10 years it’s going to be pretty uncommon to not adopt or not care for orphans,” he said.  “I think the norm will be for Christians to be engaged in more than just giving, but in going and in helping kids.”

Jedd Medefind is Deputy Director of the White House Faith-Based Initiative. He sees more Christians getting involved in adoption.

“All over the country Christians in particular, are saying this is a central call of my faith and we’re going to engage adoption issues abroad.  But often what’s exciting is as they’re engaging need overseas, they’re beginning to see the needs in their own community with foster care,” Medefind explained.  And so we’re seeing on all those levels just a really sweeping engagement of the church in orphan needs.”

Orphans Promise

CBN’s Operation Blessing is behind a new initiative called Orphans Promise.

Natalia Khomyak is the spokesperson for Orphans Promise.  “We’re trying to be the hands and feet of the Lord to these children,” she said.  “We are trying to be the parents they do not have.”

CBN partners Christian and Colleen Bunse are helping to spread the word about adoption and Orphans Promise.

“Right now, our heart and our vision is to incorporate churches,” Mrs. Bunze said.  “Mobilize churches sharing the same heart for orphans and coming alongside churches and helping them build an orphan ministry through Orphans Promise.

“Orphans Promise has a vision that is big and it is a vision that can help all these kids,”  Bunze told CBN News.  “As we came to this orphans summit, we realized that there are other organizations that have the same vision — how do we work together as a team to help all the 143 million orphans around the world?”

Like a growing number of Christian couples, Andrew and Alisia Buckner of South Florida have answered the call to adopt. The couple already have four children from previous marriages when their church inspired them to adopt four more.

“The need is such that if there are a hundred kids out there for adoption, the number of infant white babies is really small,” Buckner said.  “So if you’re waiting for that you’re going to miss out on this great opportunity.”

And when asked if adoption was something they prayed about, Mrs. Buckner had this response.  “It was absolutely something we prayed over, because left up to us we would have talked ourselves out of it.  We would have been too scared.  Then there’s alway the questions of are we going to have enough money and what it this going to do to the children living at home?”

People attending this summit and events like it are becoming more equipped and better prepared to care for orphans not only in America, but around the world.  As the church becomes more involved, the hope is there will be more doers of God’s word and not just hearers.  After all, Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me.”

Two bright lights…

Sometimes we all need a reality check.  I got a big one last weekend.  It came in the form of two very special house guests.  Their names are Sharon & Flavia.  They are 2 members of the Ugandan Children’s Choir that we had the privilege of housing Saturday night.  The choir is touring this summer to raise money for the Royal School & Orphanage in Uganda. 

Flavia (age 11) and Sharon (age 12), come from a world of poverty.  Their visit made me think about all the things I take for granted - electricity, running water, a refrigerator full of food, excessive amounts of “stuff” and (I hate to admit this one) my family.  It’s amazing how certain experiences will cause us to look at our lives with fresh eyes.  I know I am blessed, but don’t always think of my blessings in the way I should.

These two girls shine the light of Jesus - through their smiles, attitudes and songs.  You should have seen them praising God with the rest of the choir.  It still gives me chills to think about it.  Unashamed, unhindered - pure worship.   

I am now even more committed to God’s call to care for orphans.  My prayer is that God would continue to prick my heart so I will be fully obedient to His will.

Sheri - Hands of Hope coordinator

A Wonderful Opportunity

Become a “Sweet Dreams” Bed Sponsor

 Sweet dreams is a wish for every child, but some of the children who come to Baptist Children’s Homes have never experienced a restful night. Their nights have been filled with fear and scary sounds, shivers and dampness, nightmares and long hours lying awake in the darkness.

At Baptist Children’s Homes, children find rest. Every evening they sit at dinner tables and enjoy good, nutritious meals. They bathe and dress in clean bed clothes. They fall asleep in warm, comfortable beds.

Christian men and women wrap their arms around children with a loving touch. They help them feel safe and encourage them to trust in a loving God who will keep them for all eternity.

Introducing a new giving oppor-tunity – become a “Sweet Dreams” Bed Sponsor! You can become an inaugural 2008 Bed Sponsor for a gift of only $120.00. Or sponsor a room with two beds for $240.00. Sponsor all the beds in a cottage for $1,200.00. This inaugural sponsorship is for the remainder of this year. In January 2009, you will have the first opportunity to renew your sponsorship for the year with a one-time gift of $300.00 a bed or a pledge of $25.00 per month per bed.

One thousand bed sponsors are needed during this inaugural offer.

Your sponsorship entitles you to have your name engraved on a plaque and the plaque mounted on a child’s bed for this introductory time period. Each night, your name can serve as a reminder to a boy that you are remembering him as he slips away to “sweet dreams.”

Your bed sponsor gift entitles your plaque to be a reminder until 2009. If you choose to continue to be a “Sweet Dreams” Bed Sponsor, your gift next year will assure that your plaque remains as a reminder to a child of your love and care for an additional 12 months. Gifts can be made in honor or memory of a special person.

Each plaque is a minimum 3 inches wide and 1.25 inches deep. Names are engraved. Imagine a child tucked into her bed and as she slips away to slumber every night your gift reminds her that you love her. She will be set for an evening of “sweet dreams.” Make your gift now! This inaugural offer is good only until July 18.

To become a “Sweet Dreams” Bed Sponsor, contact Brenda Gray at 336-474-1230 or bbgray@bchfamily.org

From Baptist Children’s Home website

God’s Heart for the Orphan

Getting to know someone well is hard work. It takes time and persistence. We must discover new things about their character, their likes, and their dislikes.  It means learning what pleases them and angers them. It means finding out what their priorities are—what really matters to them.The same is true for God. Knowing God requires discerning what He likes and dislikes, what pleases Him, and what angers Him. Knowing God requires finding out what really matters to Him. In his book, Fields of the Fatherless, C. Thomas Davis writes, “If you searched the Bible from front to back, you’d find many issues close to God’s heart. But you’d also notice three groups of people coming up again and again. They appear so many times, in fact, you have to conclude that God mentions them purposely to make sure they are at the top of our priority list.” Who are these three groups of people? They are orphans (or fatherless), widows, and aliens (or strangers).  It is inescapable that these three people groups especially matter to God. Deuteronomy 24:19 illustrates God’s care and provision for them, and His desire to see His followers acting as His hands and feet in meeting their basic needs: “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” In Proverbs 23:10-11, God’s concern for the fatherless is evident in these words of warning:  “Do not move an ancient boundary stone, or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; He will take up their case against you.” God doesn’t stop at caring for and defending those close to His heart; rather He places care for the least among us at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ.  In fact, in James 1:27, God defines pure religion in the context of orphan care: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Not only has God commanded that His people care for those in need, but He has also ordained and modeled the institution of adoption. Anyone who has placed his or her trust in Christ has been adopted into God’s family, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Ephesians 1:4b -5 tells us: … “In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will…” Caring for the fatherless does not simply consist of compassionate and kind acts, nor is adoption an additional means of growing our families to meet our own desires. Rather, caring for the fatherless is at the very heart of God. Caring for the fatherless is about obedience … it is about knowing the God whom we serve.    “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” —Psalm 82:3

From familylife.org

Chatting With Kids About Adoption

Adapted from an article by Michael Monroe originally posted at www.AdoptiveDads.org on Tuesday, May 29, 2007.

 

Misconceptions About “Adoption Chats”

I think there are several misconceptions when it comes to talking or chatting with your

kids about adoption. One is that it’s the mother’s job – that somehow and for some

reason “adoption talk” will more likely (and more appropriately) come up between moms

and kids rather than with dads. That certainly has not been my experience – nor the

experience of many of the adoptive dads I know. For a variety of reasons, every time

our oldest boys (ages 7 and 5) engage in any “adoption talk” it is most often with me. It

will certainly be interesting to see if this trend continues and how it changes with our

twins (age 3), one of which is a girl.

Another misconception is that “adoption talk” is always a serious matter. While some

questions about adoption require an air of seriousness, many more do not. It is

important not to be too serious about adoption, even while taking the matter very

seriously. For us some of the funniest (and sweetest) things our kids have ever said

have been adoption-related, as their creative and sponge-like minds process the world

around them and force it through the adoption-tinted filter which for them is perfectly

normal and commonplace. One instance in particular stands out. Grant (age 4 at the

time) and I were walking on the trail behind our home and were noticing our neighbor’s

backyard. Grant asked why there were no toys or swings or the like in their yard, to

which I replied, “well maybe they don’t have any kids.” Without missing a beat Grant

replied “looks to me like they are going to need adoption.” And with that he had started

an adoption chat. As usual with Grant, it only lasted 30 to 45 seconds before he lost

interest and changed the subject. That exchange was a fairly typical adoption chat for

Grant and me – and I love every one that we have.

Yet another misconception is that you “tell” your kids about adoption – as in a one time

event when you sit them down at the kitchen table and break it to them in dramatic

fashion. In past generations a single moment of “telling” may have been the norm, but

now this is often simply not an option whether due to the race, age or any number of

other characteristics of the child or circumstances surrounding their adoption. For many

children (though certainly not all), the “cat’s already out of the bag” so there’s no need to

schedule a time and plan to “tell” your kids about adoption. For the most part you may

not even need to go out of your way to force the conversation. Instead, just let them

bring it up or look for natural and comfortable ways to work it into everyday

conversation. For my oldest two boys I’ve made it an occasional part of our bedtime

routine for years now. We will get out their “special books” (which are scrapbooks or

lifebooks of their early years filled with pictures and brief captions) and just chat away

about whatever comes to their minds as we tell and re-tell the story of how we became

a family. I have found that over time these conversations build on themselves as

children develop an ever-evolving understanding of themselves and their family – and

how the two came together in a very “special” way.

 

 

Support for Foster Teens of America!

The Orphan Foundation of America provides much needed programs and services to foster teens nationwide.  Check them out at www.orphan.org to learn about:

• Scholarships for college and post-secondary education
• Education and Training Voucher (EVT) funding in North Carolina and eight other states
•  A virtual mentoring program linking students with experienced adults to help them succeed, using a state-of-the-art Internet portal
• Internships for valuable workplace experience in business, government and agency settings
• Care packages sent 3x a year to boost students’ morale and give them a sense of family-like support

College Help for NC Foster Kids

Do you know of someone 25 or younger who meets these criteria?

–Aged out of North Carolina foster care at age 18

OR

–Was adopted from North Carolina foster care on or after their 12^th birthday

If so, they will be happy to learn about the North Carolina Reach Scholarships, which give financial assistance to adoptees and foster youth. The program came online in 2007 after the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation authorizing funding.

Check out www.NCReach.org to apply and learn more!

On NPR: Aging out of the foster care system

On National Public Radio’s All Things Considered:

Shirley Diaz grew up in foster care. Now almost 21, she’s on the verge of aging out of the system. As part of “Radio Rookies,” a project at WNYC that teaches teenagers to tell radio stories in their own words, Diaz takes listeners into her world as she looks ahead to an uncertain future and back to the violent tragedy that shaped her teenage years.

You can listen to Shirley’s heart-wrenching story, 13 minutes long, by visiting the appropriate NRP page, here. 

Yes … you CAN make a difference!

Volunteering in the foster care system really can make a difference, as Michelle Wright shares in her article entitled “Woman Publishes Foster Care Memories.”

“Running laps in the hot Florida sun, being hit with a wooden spoon and living with 15 other children in a cramped 1,200squarefoot trailer are vivid childhood memories for Ashley Rhodes-Courter.

However, most of the 14 foster homes she lived in by the age of 12 are a blur of forgettable faces and names for the now 22year-old.

But one woman stands out, Rhodes-Courter told a women’s philanthropic group at a presentation in Oxnard last week. The woman was a volunteer among the 200 paid case workers, foster parents, psychologists, attorneys, judges and others who came and went from Rhodes-Courter’s life. She stands out in the former foster child’s memory because she fought to win Rhodes-Courter a better life. The woman attended every court hearing involving Rhodes-Courter and eventually convinced the young girl’s mother that her daughter would be better served if she were allowed to be adopted.

Rhodes-Courter wrote about her life in “Three Little Words,” a memoir published by Simon & Schuster in January.”  

You can read the rest of Wright’s story here:

 http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2008/0404/Health_and_Wellness/031.html