The process

Some have asked about the process and I thought I would post this help some see what steps we need to take to get our Johanna.

Church Adoption Funds‏

Adoption Funds. Helping the church financially support couples as they bring home children into their forever families through adoption.

MEETING THE NEEDS // Adoption Funds

We see Adoption Funds as a "Win-Win-Win" solution: the local church is actively involved on behalf of orphans, the financial roadblock for families is removed, the orphan child is adopted into a permanent Christian family...all with minimal administrative burden for the church.

Using the adoption matching grant and interest-free loan processes already established by Lifesong, churches can easily navigate through the details of adoption funding....all with no cost to the church.

Learn more about Adoption Funds >> 

ALWAYS WITH YOU // Adoption Fund Story

Cameron and Sarah experienced the love of their church family through their adoption journey. His Kids Our Homes Adoption Fund, at North County Christ the King Church have blessed this family and others as children are brought into forever families. Listen in on their journey...

See how your church can benefit from establishing an Adoption Fund by visiting our website.

Read More

Bringing Churches Around Adoptive Families - Dave and Carrie, directors of His Kids - Our Homes (Lynden, WA) share how they have experienced the blessing of having a Lifesong Adoption Fund.  Watch Video

"God Worked to Bring Them Home" - Scott and Kathy bring two more children into their home through adoption with the help from TAMBA adoption fund. Read more

God's Revealing Love - Sam and Maria share how God continued to reveal His love for them and their 7 children, through their local church, North County Christ the King. Watch Video

Adoption Fund Testimonials - Hear what Adoption Fund partners have to say about their experience with Lifesong Adoption Funds.  Watch Video

"Messiah Complex"

Recently, our blog was featured in an anti-adoption blog. Which took 18 months to get this spot, and yes, I feel honored for the feature.  They stated that I, the blog author, has a "messiah complex" because of a recent post I wrote. Now I must admit, I had to go look it up and here is what I found. I am not an X-Men (seriously, go do a google search and that is two of the top 5 links).  The other link I found was for the definition on Wiki, not sure how dependable but we will go with it.  It say "is a state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that they are, or are destined to become, a savior."  First of all, I dont think of me as a "savior", that title is held by only one and everyone will meet Him one day. Second, just because I have the understanding of knowing that what I do will impact another life, does not make me have any complex. It also says that those who have the complex are similar to Jones and Koresh. Maybe the blog readers need to stop drinking the kool-aide this blog is pouring out and focusing on things that actually benefit others.

I dont feel the need to post the link to their blog (because why give traffic to evil), I do however feel the need to post those who frequent the blog and found mine because of it. These are the IP address that belong to people who may feel adoption is not the best option.  They may feel leaving them in an institution or asylum is better for a child then a mom and dad (and sisters and brothers).  They also may feel malnourishment and neglect is acceptable.
97.67.101.130 ATLANTA
132.161.246.219 GRINNELL
65-101-165-179.desm.qwest.net DES MOINES
99-38-130-42.lightspeed.irvnca.sbcglobal.net WOODLAND HILLS
c-71-193-183-115.hsd1.wa.comcast.net EUGENE
86.112.50.29 SALISBURY
248.196.22.67.ftth.static.premieronline.net SIOUX CENTER
67.213.36.142 MOCKSVILLE

I have the ability to track those who come to my blog because of this reason.  I have received horrible comment and threats over the last 18 months. Why? Because we are adopting a child, that is it.  I am glad there are more people who are for adoption then against it.  I am glad that while not everyone is called to adopt, you support those who do.

Moon Festival Time

Hope everyone has a wonderful Moon Festival this weekend. Our girls LOVED these moon cakes, I was not sure when I saw them but they kept wanting more.

Why international?

The question many (most) adopting parents get when they are in the middle of an international adoption...why adopt international, when the US has so many children that need homes? Well, for us it is simple to understand although apparently it is not so simple for some because we keep being asked the same question by the same people more then once.

First reason, and maybe the most clique-ish response, we are Christians but it is more then just that.  We, as Christians, are called to help the widow and orphans of this WORLD (not the country you are a citizen of).  But dont take my word for it, it is in the Bible (you know, the book that is God-breathed).

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James1:27

It is very simple, it does not say, only take care of the orphans in your community, only take care of those in the country you live in.  It says "help the widow and orphans of this WORLD".  Some families (individuals) are called to help children in the US, some are called to help children in Africa, and some in Russia, and other in China.  Who am I to judge someone because of what God called them to do?  Some people are called to help just widows and other are called just to help orphans. And some, I am going out on a limb here, are called to help both.  It is simple, we (H and M) are called to help orphans in need, and we see the need to be international adoption.

http://thefirststepofthestaircase.blogspot.com

Second reason, children in the US have better care in foster care then a child in a international orphanage/institution.  You are correct, some of that care is not great, and some of that is terrible.  Some children are bumped from house to house and dont always find homes.  I do not in anyway think this is great nor acceptable.  There are people who feel called to adopt/foster children in the US and I commend them (as I do those who adopt internationally).  However, I have seen how orphans are treated in other countries, and it is not good. We lived in a blessed country, where even if you do not have insurance, you can get medical treatment.  When a child is born with some type of anything, there are funds, there are organization, there are ways to help that child get the necessary surgeries, treatment, care they need to survive. If they child if orphaned at birth/removed from parental care, that child is given medical treatment.  Children who live in countries where these types of treatments are expensive are not usually given this luxury, and if the child is orphaned, their chances of getting any assistance is nonexistent.

http://thefirststepofthestaircase.blogspot.com

 'Perfectly healthy', if that exists for any orphan regardless of country, children dont always get this poor treatment, but we are not adopting 'perfectly healthy' we are adopting special needs.  So, I will only address this.  A child with special needs, lets go with metal first, may not have any visible signs of a special need, say like ADHD or maybe any type of Learning disability. Many, for example, just go through the 'system' with no help in any way with their education.  This means no accommodation in their education, no extra time for test, no books on tape, no nothing.  This means no real education.  Children are kicked out when they turn of age, 17-18, and without an education they dont really have anything. Girls will end up on the streets or worse sold into the sex trade industry. Boys have a higher chance of getting into drugs and commit suicide.  This is just reality for those children/young adult. This would not happen in the US. There are accommodation and the ADA to make sure everyone follows the rules but wait, I said the ADA (the AMERICAN Disabilities Act), not International Disabilities Act. Children with LD or ADHD are given special accommodation to help them learn, and this is considered strange in many Eastern European (EE) and Asian countries.

Now, lets say if this child has a physical disability.  This child is more likely to be put in an institution/asylum. No child deserves to be put in an adult institution because they have down syndrome, dwarfism, and even albinism. In EE children can end up in an adult institution as young as 5 years old. Children, on average, in the US foster system tend to get treated better then those in an orphanages.  Why? Because children in orphanages have 1 person to more children then any one person can care for.  Children are neglected and ignored.

http://reecesrainbow.org/59323/nehemiah-2

Adults who are neglected and ignored children in the US are prosecuted and put in jail. Those people are looked at as monsters.  How dare someone not feed or bath a child?  But that only applies to children in the US, right? 

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes…” – David Platt, “Radical”

http://becauseyouareloved.blogspot.com

Finally, we are adopting internationally because that is where Johanna lives and we are willing to get her.

Some are willing to adopt but not all are willing to travel internationally to do it...we are willing.  The reality, our daughter, if she stays in the country she is in, will more then likely not be given an education, because her culture sees her unable to be adopted and unable to be educated. She will end up in an institution or sent out of the orphanage when she ages out.  With no education or trade, she has little chance of living a 'normal' life. While a child with dwarfism is looked at as a 'novelty' and fun to dress up but once they age out, they are no longer fun or a novelty.  Our daughter is a human being and should be treated this way.  She will not be looked at as someone with a disability, she just need a little help to reach the light.  As with any child, she will learn and grow, but may do it differently (but dont many kids learn differently, regardless if they are considered disabled or special needs)

  Remember, I will not judge you on why you choose to adopt or not adopt or even where you adopt, why you choose to take care of orphans or now but everyone has their reasons for why they do what we do and as Christians, to do His will and not our own.