On My Adoption Playlist..."So Far to Find You" by Casting Crowns

"So Far to Find You" isn't a typical adoption song. But I love it. I love the beautiful story behind the song. Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns, tells the story behind the song like this:

 

"I wrote this song for Meeka Hope, our little girl whom we adopted from China. Steven Curtis Chapman and I wrote it together. When we traveled to China to get Meeka Hope, Steven’s wife, Mary Beth, accompanied us. We took all our kids and they got to play with their new sister, which was great. But Meeka Hope didn’t want me to hold her. Most white men that Chinese orphans see are doctors coming to do surgery on them. She was petrified of me.

 

"Only after a tearful session of pouring out my heart to God about Meeka Hope’s refusal to come to me did I realize that I often had done the same thing to my Lord. It took several weeks before Meeka Hope warmed up to me, and in the process I came to the realization that I need Jesus way more than his blessings. We are so quick to run to him for what he can do for us. We’re so slow just to sit with him and enjoy in his presence, and my crying out to him in China was really a God moment for me.

 

"The lyrics speak toward Meeka Hope, but the parallels of God reaching out to bring us home to him are evident throughout the song. We enjoy our relationship with God only because of how far Jesus was willing to go for us. To him be the glory."

 

Listen and Enjoy!

 

 

(source: http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=678)

Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting #3: Safe Families

Welcome to the third post in the series, Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting. If you have ever thought, "Our family isn't able to adopt family. We still want to fulfill James 1:27.  How can we care for the need of orphans?" then this series of post is perfect for you! I know that not every family can or should adopt. I would love to suggest some ways you can support orphans. This week I want to tell you about Safe Families for Children.



"What Is Safe Families for Children?"

"Safe Families for Children is a collaboration among area churches, volunteers and agencies designed to support at-risk children and parents in need. It is an opportunity for volunteers to have a powerful impact on the lives of others while practicing Biblical hospitality and extending the love of Christ to people in need – all from their own home! Safe Families is a movement of compassion designed to reduce child abuse and neglect and return the church to the forefront of caring for families in crises."

"Who does Safe Families for Children Help?"

"Sadly, with the changing economy, many families are experiencing financial problems, unemployment or homelessness. Others are dealing with domestic violence, parental drug or alcohol abuse, illness or incarceration. During such crises, many of these parents are not able to provide a safe and caring environment for their children.

 

"Historically, extended family, neighbors and the church would step in to support the family. Today, however, many families are socially isolated and their extended family is not available. The children in a family traumatized by crisis have an increased risk for abuse and neglect as their parents struggle to cope with the crisis at hand and the emotions associated with it. That’s where Safe Families for Children steps in."

"How Does Safe Families Work?"

"Parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children (newborn through 18 years old) to stay with Safe Families volunteers while they address the issues that led to the instability in their home. Children are matched with families in their own community whenever possible and the average length of stay is forty days. The goal is to reunite children with their biological parent(s) in a home that is more stable and healthy, in part because of the contribution of the Safe Families intervention.

 

Volunteer host families, serving out of compassion, open their homes to these children in crisis. The volunteers are screened, trained and serve without compensation. Host families are supported, educated and regularly visited to ensure the experience is successful for everyone involved."

"What About the Parents?"

"The biological parents maintain custody during the placement and we encourage them to be actively involved in their children’s lives, as well as, develop a relationship with the host family. Safe Families caseworkers keep in close contact with the parents in planning for a healthy reunification of the family. Positive family reunification is our number one priority, and through Safe Families for Children, an overwhelming 90% of children have been returned to their parents."

(All above information quoted from: http://orphancarealliance.org/become-a-safe-family/faq/)

To learn more about how you can become a Safe Family for Children, go here.

"How Can the Church Get Involved?"

"The Safe Families for Children outreach can only be successful when it is embraced and adopted by the local church. Churches of all sizes are necessary to provide for vulnerable children within our community."

 

Option 1: You church can be a Safe Families Promoter.

This churches can provide marketing materials for Safe Families during a service, show a Safe Families video during a church service, and provide an information table and sign up opportunities for congregants interested in getting involved

Option 2: Your church can be a Safe Families Minister.

In addition promoting Safe Families for Children, it is designated as one of your church's local outreach ministries or a new ministry for Safe Families for Children is added. Ministry activities might include: identifying and supporting Safe Families in your church; offering support services to Safe Families within your church such as: babysitting, transportation assistance, physicians, dentists, etc.; developing a resource closet for Safe Families stocked with diapers, formula, car seats, high chairs, etc.; and provide volunteer case coaches (2-5 hours per placement per week).

Option 3: Your church can be a Safe Families Multiplier. 

In addition to the roles of Promoter and Minister, this church: offers services to other churches that are part of Safe Families; may recruit and employ professionals to carry out key functions; provide administrative support; offer resources to host families, birth parents and their children. Examples of possible services this church might offer include parenting classes; professional medical, counseling, or legal services; parent supports groups; housing; life skills training; etc..

(source: http://www.safe-families.org/join_church.aspx)

To learn about how your church can become a Safe Church, go here.

New Week: Welcome the Kramer Family

Happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Welcome our featured family of the week - the Kramer family! Daune and Alicia Kramer have three children,  Devin (11), Lexi (10), and Ava Mae (8). After hosting 15 year old Miranda from Latvia last year at Christmas, the Kramers have decided to adopt her. You can follow the Kramer's adoption journey at their blog.

 
How You Can Help

1. PRAY for the Kramer's adoption.

2. SHARE their video via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Please help us spread the word!  The Kramers are traveling on their first trip to Latvia in July to bring Miranda home. Latvia is a three trip country. Three trips adds up to a lot of travel expenses for their adoption! The good news is the Kramer's have a $4,000 matching grant, so every dollar you give will be doubled! We would love to raise $4,000 dollars this week so the Kramer's would be $8,000 closer to bringing Miranda home!

3. GIVE $1 (or more if you feel led.) You can give your tax deductible donation to the Kramer's matching grant at Promise 686. Just click below to donate.

DONATE 

Click here to check out the world map that will take you to the other Give1Save1 pages: US, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Adopting from Europe and want to be a family of the week? Send me an email at give1save1europe (at) gmail.com and I'll send you an email explaining how to apply!

Country Shout Out: Poland

Hi, there! Hope your day is going well! Have you met our family of the week and watched their video yet? If not you should check it out and give $1!

This week's country shout out goes to Poland! In 2011, 52 children were adopted from Poland by American parents.

In case you were wondering, Poland is located right here:

Now, for little bit of Polish culture and history brought to you by Rick Steves:

For more information about adopting from Poland, check the Department of State's website on Intracountry Adoption.

The following adoption agencies have Poland adoption programs. (There may be other agencies with programs, these are just the ones of which I am aware. I am not endorsing any of these agencies. Please do your own research, ask for references, etc.)

• Children of All Nations
• Children's House International
• New Beginnings Adoption and Family Services
• Children at Heart Adoption Services, Inc.

Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting #2: Sponsor an Orphan

Welcome to the 2nd post in the series, Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting. If you have ever thought, "Our family isn't able to adopt family. We still want to fulfill James 1:27.  How can we care for the need of orphans?" then this series of post is perfect for you! I know that not every family can or should adopt. I would love to suggest some ways you can support orphans.

Sponsor an Orphan

Did you know that for a small amount of money every month, you can provide clothing, food, clean water, and perhaps most importantly education for an orphaned or at risk child? There are many reputable organizations through which you can sponsor a child. I will feature a few on this blog.

Every Orphan's Hope

 

100% of your $27 goes toward the care of your child. That includes food, clothing, school supplies and healthcare. You’re not just sending money, you’re raising an orphan to life! By writing letters to your child, you can follow their daily triumphs and challenges, learn their prayer requests, and share your own. You can meet your sponsored child when you sign-up for one of our mission trips! Don’t be surprised if you find one of your letters hanging on their wall. You, as a sponsor, are now part of the family!

Every Orphan’s Hope pairs eight orphans with one widow whom they call “mama.” They live in a one-story red brick home where they are loved and cared for in a godly environment. The children pray together, cook and clean together, and walk to school together. They become a newly formed band of brothers and sisters who look after each other.

Because every one of our homes has its own private Facebook page, you can meet your child’s friends, watch videos of them singing, laughing and playing, and you can foster relationships with other sponsors of your child.

Our goal is to match 12 sponsors to each child. This enables sponsors to commit to an affordable monthly investment; it forms accountability between sponsors and Every Orphan’s Hope; and it showers our orphans with love!

Sponsoring a child is an enriching life experience that you will treasure forever


Orphan's Tear



We've made sponsoring a child through Orphan's Tear a simple process. First, browse through the photos of unsponsored children and let your heart lead you to your special child. When you find him or her, click "Sponsor This Child" and complete your contact information and method of giving. 100% of what we receive from you is sent to the Christian orphanage where your child lives. We strive to do our very best to keep you up to date, albeit from afar, in the day-to-day lives of your sponsored children. When you sponsor an orphan, you are automatically subscribed to receive our monthly mini-updates highlighting things happening within the ministry of Orphan's Tear,  and often learning things about the orphanages where your sponsored children live. Additionally, every quarter, you can get updated news about the orphanage where your child lives by logging in to your online account. Once logged in, you can also download pictures of your sponsored child to print or use as desktop wallpaper on your computer.

Friends of the Orphan

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, thousands of children receive the food, shelter and education that they desperately need.  We invite you to experience first-hand the difference that sponsorship makes in the life of a child. As a sponsor you may choose to support a boy or girl of any age living at a Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters") home. Your friendship will help show a child that he or she is loved and your financial support will protect his or her future. When you sponsor a child you will receive:

• A welcome letter from NPH
• A photo of the child
• Personal history of the child
• An annual school progress report
• Personal letters from the child, in Spanish or French and translated to English
• The opportunity to visit the child you sponsor at the NPH home
• The satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in a child's life

 

Compassion International and World Vision are also reputable child sponsorship programs, although they are not specific to orphans.

New Week: Welcome the McAninch Family!

Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was great! This week, we are excited to feature the McAninch family. Please welcome Tammy and Guy McAninch, and their two children, Liam and Eli, to Give1Save1 Europe!

 

Tammy and Guy are adopting, Max, a 15 year old waiting child in eastern Europe. You can follow the McAninch's adoption on their Facebook group. The McAninchs created this video about adopting Max! Enjoy!

 

Tammy shared this about their adoption journey:

 

"As many of you may know, we have decided to embark on a crazy beautiful adventure that was truly designed by God. We have decided to adopt a 14 year old, Eastern European boy named Max.

Let me begin by telling you a little bit about Max. He lives in an orphanage with 200 or more other children. He has strabismus (lazy eye), and he walks with a limp. He is very small for his age, and we've been told he is often picked on by the bigger children. Max desperately wants a family. He wants to be loved. He wants to be sacrificed for. He wants to be redeemed.

Guy and I have felt led to adopt since before we were married. We knew there were kids out there hurting, and we knew that we could offer them a family. Not long after we were married (almost exactly 9 months) our first son was born. He was beautiful and perfect and we loved him with our whole hearts, but we knew there was more. There was still a child still out there who needed us. A child who was searching for a family. Not long after our son was born we became licensed foster parents. Foster parenting was rewarding in so many ways, and we saw children joyfully reunited with their families. Our hearts swelled with the work God was doing, but we knew there was more. There was someone still out there who we were meant to love. Our second son was born two short years after our first and we didn't think we could love more than we already did, but our hearts grew and we loved him just as much as our first. We had two beautiful, healthy boys, but we still felt God whisper that there was more. There was still a child lost and alone who wanted a family. We prayed and trusted God to guide us, and on New Year's Day of 2013 I picked Jeremiah 29:11-13 as our verse of the year. Little did I know the comfort and reassurance this verse would bring us over the next few months as God unraveled our adoption story.

It was an ordinary day in early January filled with the busyness that toddlers bring to a family when we got an email that would change our lives forever. It was an email passed through the grapevine advocating for an Eastern European orphan named Max. There he was in our inbox telling us he wanted a family. Telling us he wanted a home and that he couldn't explain why, but he knew there was more. We felt God fill our hearts and say "This is him. This is the child I have prepared for you". We looked at each other and agreed that this was it! We immediately hit the ground running and God has grown us and guided us through this crazy adventure. We have struggled, doubted, and fell to our knees in prayer, and some how God has used us. We are weeks away from traveling to go get Max, and we are still in need of funding. We have done fundraising and more fundraising, and then topped it off with more fundraising. We are now down to the wire, and will be leaving in just a few short weeks to bring our son home. To give Max the family he has been praying for. We have generously been given a $5,000 matching grant that, if achieved, will mean Max's adoption is fully funded!"

 

 - Tammy McAninch

  How You Can Help

1. PRAY

2. SHARE their video via Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram,  etc. Please help us spread the word!  The McAninchs are traveling in August to bring home their son Max. They need to raise $10,000 to be fully funded for their adoption and travel expenses. The McAninchs have a $5,000 matching grant!  Every dollar given will be matched dollar for dollar! If we could raise $5,000 this week, it will be matched with another $5,000 and the McAninchs' adoption will be fully funded!

3. GIVE $1 (or more if you feel led.) You can give your tax deductible donation at Reece's Rainbow or Pure Charity. Just click below to donate on Pure Charity or click here to go to Reece's Rainbow.

UPDATE: We have raised $534! Thank you for your generous giving! Only $4,466 left to go!

Click here to check out the world map that will take you to the other Give1Save1 pages: US, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Adopting from Europe and want to be a family of the week? Send me an email at give1save1europe (at) gmail.com and I'll send you an email explaining how to apply!

On My Adoption Play List..."Just May Be" by Karyn Williams

"Just May Be" by Karyn Williams expresses the reason many of us our choosing to be parents through adoption! I love it!

Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting #1: Prayer

Welcome to our new series, Ways to Help Orphans Without Adopting. If you have ever thought, "Our family isn't able to adopt family. We still want to fulfill James 1:27.  How can we care for the need of orphans?" then this series of post is perfect for you! I know that not every family can or should adopt. I would love to suggest some ways you can support orphans.

Pray

Pray for orphans world wide. Pray for their spiritual and physical needs. Pray that these children will receive the gift of parents and families. Pray that they will have food and shelter and someone to care for them. Pray that they will learn of Jesus love for them and in return love Jesus.

Kay Warren prepared a 40 day prayer guide for orphans you can download for free here.

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." -James 5:16b
 

New Week: Welcome the Johnson Family

Happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! This week on Give1Save1 Europe, we are featuring the Johnson family! Please meet Phillip and Erin Johnson and their children, Wesley, Mariah, and Wyatt. The Johnson will be adopting a sibling group of four brothers from Ukraine! You can follow their adoption journey on their blog.

"We felt the call to adopt shortly after the birth of our second son, and we chased that calling immediately despite not having "enough" money, only being in our 20s, and having 2 very young children. We watched God provide for us time and time again. We never met a mountain that He could not move. After returning from Ukraine in 2010 with our 4 year old daughter, we knew we could never return to "life as normal." How can a person look into the eyes of orphans and not be changed? Yes, our daughter had a family now, but we knew we had to do more. In the summer of 2012 we hosted a 7 year old boy from Ukraine with no intent to adopt him, but fell.in.love. For Christmas 2012, we took a huge leap of faith and re-hosted him AND his older brother. God very clearly spoke to us during that time, that these were OUR boys, and we firmly believe that if God has called us to it, He will see us through it. The boys we hosted also have 2 younger brothers. All 4 boys (ages 10, 8, 7, and 2) need to be adopted together." - Erin Johnson

The Johnson created the video below from the pictures they took while hosting the sons! Enjoy!

This week instead of Give1Save1 it is Give1Save4! Could you spare $1 (or more) to help the Johnson family bring home their 4 sons? The Johnson's still need to raise $17,000. This week your gift will be tax deductible though Adopt Together. Just click the link below to give! Please share this post with all your family and friends!

DONATE

Update: So far this week, we have raised $2,166 for the Johnson family! 5 more days to go!

For more information about orphan hosting, check out Children's Cultural Connection and New Horizons for Children.

Click here to check out the world map that will take you to the other Give1Save1 pages: US, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Adopting from Europe and want to be a family of the week? Send me an email at give1save1europe (at) gmail.com and I'll send you an email explaining how to apply!

Like Us on Facebook

Did you know we have a Facebook page? We do!! Go like us....we already like you! This week we are trying to reach 200 likes on Facebook!

Can you visit us weekly and donate $1 to the family we're featuring? A little truly goes a long way. Our families REALLY appreciate it and you can know that you are part of their journey! Spread the word about what Give1Save1 Europe (and Africa, US, Caribbean and Asia) is all about!

Have a great weekend, folks!

New Week: Welcome the Perkins Family!

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great long weekend! Welcome our featured family of the week, Lindsey and Dustin Perkins! The Perkins are adopting a six year old waiting boy from Bulgaria. Lindsey shared this about their adoption story:

 

"We decided to begin growing our family through adoption first. We hope to have biological children one day but felt the call to adopt much stronger than to have a child. Bulgaria kind of chose us! Due to our age, length of marriage, income, and other parameters we were very limited to the countries we could adopt from. Bulgaria really just fit the bill. It didn't take long for us to fall in love with the culture, and children of the country though. In October 2011 we begin this process and started our dossier. We were officially registered with the MOJ in July of 2012 to adopt a female under the age of 4 with minor or correctable needs. 3 months later we saw the picture of a 5 year old boy who was waiting for a family and knew he was our son. We've had to update several documents in order to be matched to him but the Lord saw fit that we would have him and we received the most exciting news today...Bulgaria saw fit for us to have him also!!! He has some special needs (he's special and we need him desperately), some that really have no explanation, but we have looked past those from the beginning to see a little boy who just needs to be loved. He turned 6 two weeks ago and it is our prayer to have him home by Christmas, which we definitely anticipate. There is a lot more information on our blog please feel free to jump over and check it out."

How You Can Help

1. WATCH the Perkins' video.

2. PRAY for the Perkins' adoption.

 

3. SHARE their video via Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram,  etc. Please help us spread the word!  Lindsey and Dustin made their 1st trip to Bulgaria in May. They will travel in 4 to 6 months to pick up their son.  The Perkins need to raise $2,000 to bring their son home.

4. GIVE $1 (or more if you feel led.) You can give your tax deductible donation at Pure Charity. Just click below to donate.

Update: We have raised $82 to help the Perkins bring home their son!

 

Click here to check out the world map that will take you to the other Give1Save1 pages: US, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

 

Adopting from Europe and want to be a family of the week? Send me an email at give1save1europe (at) gmail.com and I'll send you an email explaining how to apply!