We're BACK!!!

And excited to get back to posting!!! We developed a facebook fan page and have been doing more updating there than the blog, but that's all about to change. And you wanna know why?!

We're BEYOND EXCITED to announce that our little ministry is growing!  JHAAM is partnering with Joy's adoption agency Children's Home Society and Family Services to advocate for their waiting children!!!  That's right!  We will be featuring waiting children on our blog on a regular basis!  Sharing photos, profiles and information on these precious children that are waiting on their forever families to find them.  For God to bring them together.  And what an honor to be able to serve in such a way that we may be the ones He uses to help these little cuties find their new mommy & daddy!

We are overjoyed to have been asked to advocate for these children with CHSFS and hope you will check back on a regular basis to view the waiting children!  Who knows......  your future son/daughter may be just a post away!

Visiting Orphans

WOW!!!  Yep, you read that right!  You can win a FREE mission trip to a country of your choice!  Visiting Orphans is giving away a free trip to one lucky winner, and it could be you!  I have to throw in..... I hope it's me! But hey, anyone that can receive an opportunity to practice "Pure Religion" (James 1:27) would be incredible and we live for nothing more than to serve our Lord.

We've had the chance to serve in missions work in Haiti in 2009 and oh what a blessing it was.  Just when you think you are going to help and serve someone else (which you DO!!) the Lord surprises you and blesses you beyond measure.  Some of you have read my posts before on our trip and you can certainly look through the archives and read them.  But what I can tell you is this:  "Once our eyes have been opened, we can't pretend not to know...." (Proverbs 24:12)  Your life will be forever changed and your heart for the orphan will burst with a desire to better serve our Lord.  You will learn exactly what it means by feeling able to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)  

Please visit their site and enter to receive a chance to win. Click HERE to find out how.  You can also check out MY CRAZY ADOPTION and enter the giveaway that's going on there to receive more chances to win!  Good luck!!!  I'm anxious to see who will be serving with visiting Orphans in 2011!!!

So....where will you decide to go?  El Salvador, Costa Rica, Haiti, Ecuador, Honduras, China, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, India, Ukraine 

See what Amanda (the girl in charge at VO!) has to say about WHY they are giving away this trip!

Visiting Orphans Heart from Amanda Lawrence on Vimeo.

Won't You Help Us?

The following was shared by the Joint Council on International Children's Services.  We believe this needs to be shared, read and others need to stand up and do what they can to ensure international adoptions continue! The children, God's children, need us!  Please pass this forward or complete the steps to share about your adoption experience!  Thanks and God Bless!

We Are The Truth

 

A Campaign and Call to Action

 

 

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children.  The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems.  The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption.  Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.

 

You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families.  You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child.  You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive.  And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and an entire life without a family. 

 

You, the adoption community know the truth.  You live the truth.  You are the truth.

 

Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe family.

 

 

What You Can Do

 

1)      Sign the letter to President Medvedev and President Obama: The letter asks both Presidents to ensure that intercountry adoption continues uninterrupted and to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of children.  You can sign anytime, but doing so before Tuesday night would help us get the letters to both Presidents before President Medvedev leaves the U.S.   To sign the letter, click here.

 

2)      We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know.  It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international.  Let the world knowyour truth! 

 

 

3)      Tell Your Truth with Video - make sure the world sees, hears and feels the thousands of successful adoptions from Russia by:

1. Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption video via email to alexa.m@jcics.org. 
   • Video should be a maximum of 3 minutes.
   • A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your video. For a copy of the release, click here. 
2. Joint Council will translate the video into Russian and post it on our YouTube Channel. 

 

4)      Tell Your Truth with Words and Photos

1. Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption story via email to alexa.m@jcics.org.  Send us your stories through:
   • Photos (please do not send more than 10) 
   • Essays (maximum 500 words)
   • A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your story and/or pictures.  For a copy of the release, click here. 
2. Joint Council will then compile the stories and pictures, translate them into Russian and post them on our website and/or blog.

 

5)      Share Your Truth

1. Joint Council will post, forward and share your stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.   Joint Council will be updating our YouTube Channel and Facebook page as the stories get compiled and translated, please subscribe to us on YouTube, Twitter and Fan us on Facebook.
2. You do the same by posting on your Facebook, Twitter, blog and website!

 

Want to help more?

• Are you willing to speak to the media about your Russian adoption?  If so, please email betheanswer@jcics.org with the following:
  • Your name(s)
  • City, State of residence
  • Contact Phone Numbers
  • Contact Email
  • Short 4 sentence bio about your adoption
• Do you speak Russian?
  • We are in need of individual volunteers who can help our staff translate the videos and text quickly.   If you are interested in helping, email Joint Council at intern@jcics.org.
• Do you live in the Alexandria, VA area?
  • Joint Council is in need of short term volunteers over the next two weeks, email rebeccah@jcics.org if you would like to volunteer.

† Update on Haitian Adoptions

The following link is the latest update by the State Department on Haitian adoption. Please read it carefully!

http://adoption.state.gov/news/children_affected_by_natural_disasters_conflict.html

There has become a lot of interest in adopting from Haiti due to the crisis situation. It has even opened new hearts to adoption and people are stepping up and wanting to be adoptive parents where they never considered it before. That is awesome and definitely the work of an amazing God touching hearts.

While there is interest and people want to help these orphans we must remember that the adoption process is not 'totally' revamped due to a crisis situation. There are still guidelines that need to be followed to ensure children are in fact orphans and that child trafficking does not become an issue. Sad as it may seem, there are people who will try to profit from such a situation. Haiti also has many orphanages that house children who are not eligible for adoption. Haitian parents will bring their child to these special orphanages so their child can receive an education, vocational training and be fed a regular diet that they are unable to provide. These children are raised to be educated citizens with the hope of bringing a brighter tomorrow for their country Haiti.

If you are new to adoption or just considering it and want to apply to adopt be prepared for some disappointments. This will come with any adoption as well as the overwhelming joy that it brings. Please bear in mind until government buildings and such can be restored in Haiti there will probably be a hold on any new Haitian adoptions. People are being led to believe that because of the orphans we've seen on TV that have been flown out of the country it should be so easy for everyone. NOT TRUE! Those children were already matched with families and in the last stages of the adoption process.

Do not attempt to travel to Haiti with the hopes of bringing children back. This is illegal! It can also cause unnecessary problems with relief aid at this time.

Please, research any agency before applying for adoption, as well as country information you can find from the state department. If you are confused and feel overwhelmed that is what we're here for! Don't hesitate to contact us by e-mail or phone if you have questions about the process or what can be done to help your family adopt.

† For His Glory

An Urgent Call to Act on behalf of Haiti's orphans and "For His Glory Adoption Outreach". Click the link or the photo to read more information on what you can do to help more of Haiti's orphans to their forever families.

As some of you may know if you are keeping up with the situation in Haiti some of the children from the orphanages are being brought out of the country and united with their adoptive families in the U.S. This of course is being done with humanitarian waiver/parole for children who are already in the adoption process. All I know to say is, "Merci Jezi!" (Thank you Jesus! in Creole)

Those wanting to adopt from Haiti or who have had their heart changed by the disaster and now wish to adopt will of course not be this fortunate in the process. But there is always hope that laws and red tape can be changed for the future of Haiti's orphans.

Continue to pray for the country and it's people. This will be a situation that will not be remedied within a few weeks or even months. They need our continued support for a better future.

* UPDATE: Also just wanted to let everyone know that we have heard from our friends that Celissa (the girl posted below) has been found and is safe and alive! Another Merci Jezi!!!! We don't know all of her story yet, but are just thankful that she has been found.

† Orphan Sunday • Day 9

Was an incredible day. Joy, Melinda and I have worked so hard to bring this day together with our open house and sharing with the community what we had planned.

We started our day at First Assembly where we were invited to speak. The message given by Pastor Randy was awesome. I was so impressed that we made such an impact on his heart and his church that he shared a message devoted to God's heart for the orphan and widow. It was a perfect morning spent with family and friends.
We were just a bit nervous to say the least but people told us we did a great job and thanked us for coming. It really means a lot that Pastor Randy invited us to speak at First Assembly.

My son Tyler loved this slide from the overhead presentation during the sermon.

Pastor Randy Cowart at the open house. My son loves taking pics when people least expect it. :)

Once we left the church we headed to the Open House to set up and decorate. There was a LOT to do. We had lots of help (our boys are big boys), the kids helped move tables and chairs, Joy's mother had made cookies for us and helped decorate, my mom was there to help and let us use her 'yearly' employee use of the center for our event. We didn't have to pay for a space this way and really appreciated it more than she knows. My daughter helped set up displays and Cindy (our friend) was kind enough to do some babysitting duty while we worked. Everything could not have been done without the help of these people. :)
When you entered our event the first thing you saw was the guest book and a poster with our pictures and the proclamation from the mayor. Since we've only been working together for about a month this is us... we will be building a scrapbook soon from our times spent together and our advocating activities! :)
We collected information from various agencies and sponsorship advocates over the last month. We had a whole row of tables dedicated to adoption agencies for international adoption and sponsorship through World Vision and Life Connection Mission (our trip to Haiti) and had pictures and items from our trip displayed.

We had a row dedicated to domestic services and foster care/foster adoption where a specialist from Family Services set up. We enjoyed having Becky with us.
We had a 'coffee house' with a lending library where visitors could sit, enjoy coffee and cookies and check out books that we have collected through our own research and reading. My favorite area was the Christmas area where you could shop from the Christmas Tree of Hope, share in our donation jar or make purchases through World Vision for children around the world. Unfortunately my photographer son forgot to get a pic of that side of the room! lol :) I didn't want to worry about pictures yesterday so some of the things I wanted got missed, but we still have great shots from our event.
We worked really hard and enjoyed spending the day together with our families and a few friends. We missed Melinda and are keeping her and her family in our thoughts and prayers. I'm sure she'll be able to join us soon.

Joy & Jia

Being our only 'officially' adopted sweetheart Miss Jia was the star of the show! The kids all enjoyed playing with her and so did a few of us adults!!! She's precious to say the least! My kids even said they discovered their new 'favorite 3 year old'. She just makes you happy! Her momma would tell you how incredible she is and what an impact she has had on their lives. But I can tell you she's made an impact on so many more people that her little heart realizes. We ♥ u Jia!

Tyler & Jia
And look.... my daughter who favors little boys fell in love with Jia yesterday. Maybe a little sister isn't out of the question. ;)

Then, before our day came to an end we had a pleasant surprise. Ron & Beth Tucker showed up with little Lucy Lu!!! We totally forgot she mentioned wanting to come and meet us and see the open house. Her and her husband drove about 2 hours to come to our Open House. Beth and Joy met through the internet while researching the special needs they had in common with Jia and Lucy. It was so nice to meet them and visit for a while. Lucy is totally adorable too and we loved watching all the kids playing together. When God tells us to become like little children it's so true. Something we need to remember as our kids remind us it doesn't matter where you come from, how old or young you are, or what color your skin is.... we're all God's children. He loves us all the same and the least we can do is to love one another.

Joy, Jia, Jory, Beth & Lucy Lu
Beth and Lucy Lu - We ♥ You!

We had no idea what to expect for our open house but we know God has a plan for us. If only one person was introduced to adoption that will make a difference yesterday and provide hope for God's children then our work was well worth it. We hope everyone else that had an Orphan Sunday event had a terrific day and maybe we all played a part in changing the life of orphans around the world. Thank you to everyone that made our event possible and promoted it for us!

What did you do yesterday? Share your Orphan Sunday event or link in the comments section please!! We'd love to see!

• Day 9 of Prayer •
Today, pray that God would break the heart of your city’s pastors with the plight of orphans. Ask that He would convict them to lead their churches to pray, go, and love in Jesus’ name.

† Employee Benefits

Some of you may be aware already, others may be searching...reading that vast, seamingly endless wealth of knowledge on the world wide web only to become even more confused and overwhelmed... there are benefits available through some employers to help pay for the cost of adoption.

I have been researching several sites, going to actual verified employer sites looking to see if they provide their employees with adoption grants. So many I've researched have not, my own husbands included I'm afraid. Being self-employed as I am, I guess I provide adoption funding but it's something I'm working for.... It's called a paycheck. :)

Then I found this resource EMPLOYER ADOPTION BENEFITS Click on the link and see if you can find your employer listed. Remember, just because they are not listed doesn't mean they don't provide benefits. Check with your personnel office to make sure. I'd also recommend if your employer does not provide adoption benefits that we try to make a difference and make a change with our companies.

You see, while the cost of adoption can be a daunting and overwhelming part of the process it should never be a deciding factor in your choice to go ahead or not. There are so many avenues for financing and we truly believe that if God has led you to this important decision in your life, He has tugged at your heart and you are stepping out in faith to follow His command, that He will see you through it. He will provide.

But it also doesn't hurt to do your part to make it a success either! :) The hardest thing for me to understand and it's downright disappointing is that employers like McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, even the "Book of the Month Club, Inc." provides not only leave but actual financial support in the way of grants to it's employees...... yet my husband's employer, the great State of Missouri does not. Our own state agencies, some that even advocate for adoption and foster care and support those adopting through the foster system as licensed foster/adoptive parents does not support it's own employees by assisting with adoption. Creating forever families for orphans. Does that seem a bit confusing or disappointing to anyone else?

Remember this list was developed by the site it links to and your employer may not be listed, or some of the benefits listed may have changed. It's definitely something worth investigating! Watch for more funding/fundraiser resources in the future!

Advocating...
Renea

† Advocating for Ecuador

While visiting with Amanda from Visiting Orphans (VO) about their programs and trying to set our church up with an orphanage in Africa she expressed an immediate need for an orphanage in Ecuador. She has been working closely with their administrators and they have had their funding cut off by their government and are in immediate need of assistance.

If you are a leader in your church with a missions committee or family ministry, or know an organization in your community who could partner with this orphanage for their needs please contact me or Amanda at Visiting Orphans to help. After reviewing their programs at VO and talking with Amanda you simply 'adopt' the orphanage. Your church groups or individuals can make vision or mission trips to the orphanage once a year (or more if you want!) and help with their needs financially as well as other items they may need. For example if something breaks down at the orphanage such as a washer or refrigerator and they don't have the means to repair it, your church group would fund this expense or raise money to help with the costs. You're caring for the children as well as the facility. Cards and letters, pictures can be sent back and forth between your group and the children.

If you are interested in helping and partnering with this orphanage please contact us and we can send you more information and even photos of the children. They are beautiful children!!! I don't know that I can share them here now, but will check with Amanda.

We are commanded by God to help the least of these, and sometimes an effort like this seems like the LEAST we can do.

† Advocating
Renea

† Featured Agency

Something to keep your interest up until the website is complete.... I'm sharing adoption agencies. Their links and contact info so you can check them out for yourselves to see if they might be a fit for your family to start your journey to a forever family.

All God's Children International is a Christian non-profit organization that has been in business for 18 years. Started by a couple who themselves adopted from Russia and wanted to continue bringing orphans home to families. They provide international services as well as some domestic services for certain states. I have actually submitted a preliminary application through their website and receive info from them on a regular basis even though I have not officially started the adoption process. Everyone I've spoke with was very pleasant and eager to help. You can check them out by clicking the link above or the photo link below.

We will also have information and packets available from their organization at our open house on November 8th, recognizing Orphan Sunday.

• Please remember the content through the internet links made available through this website shall not be construed to reflect the official position, policy or endorsement JHAM regarding the organizations, opinions or doctrines of the groups or organizations described. Links supply information on these organizations provided by the organizations themselves.