Hope for Orphans

In this issue:

	Affording Adoption in a Tough Economy By Johnston Moore It is no secret that the United States and most of the rest of the world are experiencing difficult times economically. Unemployment is rising, layoffs are increasing, people are taking salary cuts, spending freezes are in effect, people are cutting back wherever they can, and even doing without when necessary. Of course, the Christian community has also been hit by economic woes, and many of our brothers and sisters are putting things on hold until times are more stable. What will this mean for those whom God is calling to adopt? Given the cost of private domestic and international adoptions, how can people afford to adopt through these channels in such tough economic times? We asked our friends at three outstanding organizations that provide financial help for adoptive families to weigh in on the issue. With their help we’ve come up with three important steps people can take in affording adoption in these times: trust, ask, and be creative. Trust It is so important to never lose sight of the fact that God is in charge and that we can trust Him, regardless of what our bank statements and paychecks say. “First and foremost – God is still Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord Provides),” says Andy Lehman of Lifesong for Orphans (LifesongForOrphans.org), which helps couples adopt through matching funds, interest free loans, and by helping churches start adoption funds. “If God calls you to adopt, be confident He will provide the financial means to adopt while still following Biblical guidelines for handling money.” Many Christians are indeed putting their faith in God and moving forward with adoption plans in spite of the economy, though they seem to be looking for more outside help in financing their adoptions. “We are seeing a significant increase in the number of adoption assistance applications each month since the fall of 2008,” says Scott Hasenbalg of Show Hope (ShowHope.org), which helps Christians adopt through grants and by helping churches start adoption funds. “From my perspective, the good news is that people are putting their faith in God, not in the economy.…I am thrilled to see believers not letting finances stand in the way of their adoptions.” Ask Though times are difficult, funds are still available through grants and interest-free loans. Adoptive couples should continue to apply for these funds through some of the wonderful ministries that have them, regardless of the tightening economy. Wendy Cosby of Show Hope says that it is important to encourage believers to help fund adoptions. “What better thing can you continue to give to during the hard times than helping an orphan to be placed in a loving, Christian home….something that has eternal implications.” Andy is confident the body of Christ will rise to the occasion and help those called to adopt, even in lean times. “Many are giving generously and sacrificially to help fund adoption grants, matching grants, interest-free loans, and provide seed money for Church Adoption Funds.” In addition to applying for funds from existing organizations, do not be shy to ask others for help. It is not unusual to receive letters requesting financial support for missionaries. Adopting a child is a missional act, and we should not hesitate to ask others to share the cost with us. Be Creative Scott says that the difficult economic times have led people to think a little more outside the box in figuring out how to fund their adoptions. “We are seeing more creativity from individuals who are reaching out to their community of friends and family, from traditional yard and bake sales to sending baby bottles to friends and asking them to fill them with coins or dollar bills.” Other creative ways to help fund your adoption might include: · A fund-raising dinner in your church · A benefit concert · A raffle The truth is that if God is calling you to adopt, as Andy said, He will provide the means for you to afford it. The key is to trust, ask, and be creative, and you will be amazed to see what God does. Jason Kovacs, of the ABBA Fund (AbbaFund.org), which helps adoptive parents through interest-free loans and by assisting churches in starting adoption funds, sees a great opportunity to witness to the world of God’s provision and priorities. “I think we are living in an economic time when the world will say it is unwise to attempt to adopt because it costs so much. From God's perspective, this is the perfect time for Him to show that He is mighty and able to provide for His people. Many folks get this and are stepping out in faith. And many of their friends and family and churches are not listening to the world and are coming alongside and helping with donations and support. We can praise God for that.”

	What to do When Church Leaders Don't "Get it" By Jason Weber A well respected and influential pastor once told me that the people who tend to damage the church the most are generally the Christians who are the most passionate for a cause. That simple 7-second statement in the middle of a much longer conversation has never left my mind. Could it be true? Isn’t it the passionate people that are the ones really doing something? I mean, they are the ones doing all the ministry. They are the ones getting others involved. They are the ones who do the most, stay the latest and work the hardest. That would serve to only build the church, right? For the answer to that question, I only have to look as far as my own heart. My wife Trisha and I have long had a passion for the poor, the oppressed, and the orphan. As I look at my life honestly, I see that my passion has produced two primary things, one good, and one very bad. On the one hand, my God-given passion for orphans and waiting children has driven me to be a foster parent and to adopt our three children. It has been the fuel that makes me excited every day to do my job equipping churches with tools to do orphans ministry. However, on the other hand, my own sinful nature has twisted this same passion and made me judgmental and near-sighted in how I view others. I can be very critical at times when people make decisions that seem to disregard the particular areas of Scripture I happen to be the most familiar with, and in some ways, often care about the most. One of the most common complaints we hear from local champions for orphans ministry around the country is that they often run into church leadership who just don’t “get it” when it comes to God’s heart for orphans ministry. While we recognize the frustration people feel, we have learned the hard way that balance is necessary, and it is helpful to look at the issues through a fresh set of lenses. Here are a few questions we can ask ourselves that can help us put things in perspective a bit: 1. How many biblical things do our pastors teach on each week that they wish we would “get”? While God’s heart for the orphan and the oppressed is evident throughout Scripture, there are many other things that God cares about and longs for us to experience the joy of obedience in as well. After all, pure and undefiled religion in James 1:27 isn’t just about orphans and widows. It also says that we need to be unstained by the world. Micah 6:8 tells us, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with (our) God.” Those of us in orphans ministry like the “act justly” and “love mercy” part, but how are we doing at the “walk humbly” part? 2. If everybody in my church “got it” then why would God have placed me there? The body has many parts and each part must function according to its gifts and passions. God has placed you in your church to help people to “get it.” You will have much better success if your attempts to do so are done with gentleness. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” And, I might add, it will be equally important that you take the time to listen to and try to “get” those things that others are passionate about. 3. In my frustration with church leadership, have I slandered them or given in to the temptation to complain? Even if you feel your leadership is “in sin” in regard to their view of orphans and orphans ministry, we never have a license to “vent” with others about their short-comings. This can become a huge temptation when you gather with others on your church orphans ministry team who are all passionate for the same things you are. When you see a conversation heading this way, see it as your role to focus on the things you have been called to do within your church to care for orphans. 4. Am I talking to others about this rather than to the One who could actually do something about it? The most important role you have when there are leaders who don’t get it is to pray. Remember, God is in the business of changing hearts – we are not. How faithful have you been to seek Him and ask Him to mightily intervene in hearts on behalf of children? Back to the statement that pastor made at the beginning. . . passionate people can and do in fact damage the church more than they ever realize. When it comes to orphans ministry, let’s make sure that our leaders see something different in us. God has graciously given each of us a ministry in the context of our local church. May our words be clad in love and gentleness as we “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8).

	First Annual National Orphan Sunday Announced for November 8. 2009 The Christian Alliance for Orphans has announced that November 8, 2009 will be the first annual Orphan Sunday. The Alliance hopes that churches and individuals can use Orphan Sunday as a platform to raise the awareness of the needs of orphans to their local communities. The Alliance plans to provide resources and various materials which will support you in bringing the needs of orphans to those in your community. It is hoped that there will be events throughout the nation that day, including sermons, Sunday school class messages, gatherings on college campuses, concerts to raise money to aid orphans, and more. Start planning now how your church or small group can be a part of this historic event.

	Summit V in Dallas Draws Over 750 Ready to Change the World The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ annual Summit drew more than 750 people from churches, orphans ministries, adoption and child welfare agencies, and more to Irving Bible Church in Dallas, TX to explore ways that believers worldwide can work together to better meet the needs of orphans both here and abroad. Nationally renowned speakers such as FamilyLife’s Dennis Rainey, Dr. Tony Evans, and Dr. Russell Moore addressed the audience during general sessions. The Alliance announced the recent hiring of Jedd Medefind as its first Executive Director. Jedd’s most recent position was heading up the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under former President George W. Bush. Summit VI will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 29-30, 2010. To learn more about Summit VI, please visit Christian-Alliance-For-Orphans.org

	National Foster Care Prayer Vigil Sends the Country to its Knees for Kids The 2^nd annual National Foster Care Prayer Vigil, sponsored by Cry of the Orphan partners Focus on the Family, Show Hope, and Hope for Orphans (a ministry of FamilyLife), was held during the week of May 17-24. At least 220 vigils were held in 47 states (plus Canada and Uganda) as Christians gathered to pray for the children, workers, and families in our nation’s foster care system, as well as for the church’s response to the needs of those involved. Some vigils were elaborate events open to the public, while others were smaller vigils held in private homes. To learn how you can plan and register your vigil next year, please visit FosterCarePrayerVigil.org.

	Organizational Spotlight -- Bethany Christian Services One of the most important decisions a couple must make when adopting a child is which agency they will partner with. At Hope for Orphans, we encourage couples to spend a good deal of time researching agencies, making sure they find an agency that is a good fit for them and that they can be comfortable working with. One of many factors a couple will want to consider is how much experience their agency has in placing children, particularly children from the country or through the channel that a couple is considering. Bethany Christian Services is an agency with a tremendous amount of experience. In fact, Bethany has helped place more than 30,000 children in adoptive homes since opening its doors more than 60 years ago. Bethany describes itself as “a Christ-centered, not-for-profit, pro-life, adoption and family services agency with over 75 locations in 32 states and ministries in over a dozen countries…In addition to adoption services, Bethany provides birthparent counseling, family counseling, foster care programs, refugee services, and an infertility ministry called Stepping Stones”. Bethany currently has adoption programs in the following countries – China, Columbia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United States. “We provide care for orphans and vulnerable children living on five continents because we know children thrive in safe, loving and strong families,” says Marc Andreas, Bethany’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “We are committed to finding the best families for children in need around the world. Our mission calls us to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.” For more information about Bethany Christian Services, please visit Bethany.org.

	Update on Ethiopia Adoptions On May 26, 2009, the United States Department of State issued the following alert regarding Ethiopia adoptions: “Adoptions of Abandoned Children Halted by Ethiopian Court On May 4, 2009 the Ethiopian First Instance Court temporarily stopped accepting cases involving abandoned children referred by orphanages in Addis Ababa, citing a substantial increase in the number of children being brought for adoption. The number of abandoned children from orphanages in Addis Ababa has grown dramatically in recent months and Ethiopian authorities have become aware of possible cases of unethical practices associated with some of them. Neither the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) nor the First Instance Court had been accepting abandonment cases from any orphanage in Addis Ababa pending an inquiry. However, on May 23 the Court confirmed that while the investigation into cases of abandoned children continues, it has begun accepting cases of abandoned children referred from Addis Ababa government orphanages. These include the following orphanages: Kebebe Tsehay Orphanage Ketchene Orphanage *Kolfe Youth Center Please continue to monitor adoption.state.gov for updated information on Ethiopia.” For more information on adoption from Ethiopia, please visit jcics.org/Ethiopia.htm.

June 2009 Enewsletter