God tells us as Christians we're adopted into Christ (Ephesians 1:5). Jesus said He's not leaving us as orphans (John 14:18). There are 147 million orphans in the world. God tells us to look after orphans and widows (James 1:27).
Sherri and I plan to adopt internationally. A little girl from China - the most populated country on earth. Americans adopt more children than every other country in the world combined.
Adoption has been in the news lately. Russia recently banned Americans from international adoptions. "In 2011, about 1,000 Russian children were adopted by Americans, more than any other foreign country, but still a tiny number given that nearly 120,000 children in Russia are eligible for adoption." According to David Satter of the Hudson Institute, "Russia has more orphans per capita than any nation in the world. Of the estimated 650,000 orphans, an estimated 95 percent are 'social orphans' who have been abandoned by their parents or taken away from them."
One of the most important decisions about adoption is which agency to use. If you're not careful, you will spend thousands of dollars, and wait, and wait and wait...or worse - lose all your money. When checking out accreditation - make sure they're Hague accredited (international) and COA (domestic). Remember, if God has placed a certain country on your heart, find an organization that adopts from that country.
Here are 3 (or 4) recommended adoption agencies:
Lifeline Children's Services - this is an evangelical adoption agency - they require the people using them to be followers of Christ. Sherri and I are using Lifeline. We attended an information meeting in July in Columbus and were very impressed. We learned Lifeline is the fastest growing adoption agency in the United States.
Bethany Christian Services - this is the largest Christian adoption agency in the United States. The Georgia Baptist Children's Home recommends this agency.
Holt International Children's Services - this is one of America's oldest international adoption agencies. They also have an India program, a country Lifeline and Bethany don't offer.
America World Adoption - I said three agencies, but this one has a Kazakhstani and Russian program, plus I have some church planting friends using this agency to adopt from India.
Resources:
Together for Adoption
Saddleback Church Orphan Care
Kisses from Katie (book)
Adopted for Life (book)
Orphan Justice (book)
Lifesong (fundraising)
Sherri and I plan to adopt internationally. A little girl from China - the most populated country on earth. Americans adopt more children than every other country in the world combined.
Adoption has been in the news lately. Russia recently banned Americans from international adoptions. "In 2011, about 1,000 Russian children were adopted by Americans, more than any other foreign country, but still a tiny number given that nearly 120,000 children in Russia are eligible for adoption." According to David Satter of the Hudson Institute, "Russia has more orphans per capita than any nation in the world. Of the estimated 650,000 orphans, an estimated 95 percent are 'social orphans' who have been abandoned by their parents or taken away from them."
One of the most important decisions about adoption is which agency to use. If you're not careful, you will spend thousands of dollars, and wait, and wait and wait...or worse - lose all your money. When checking out accreditation - make sure they're Hague accredited (international) and COA (domestic). Remember, if God has placed a certain country on your heart, find an organization that adopts from that country.
Here are 3 (or 4) recommended adoption agencies:
Lifeline Children's Services - this is an evangelical adoption agency - they require the people using them to be followers of Christ. Sherri and I are using Lifeline. We attended an information meeting in July in Columbus and were very impressed. We learned Lifeline is the fastest growing adoption agency in the United States.
Bethany Christian Services - this is the largest Christian adoption agency in the United States. The Georgia Baptist Children's Home recommends this agency.
Holt International Children's Services - this is one of America's oldest international adoption agencies. They also have an India program, a country Lifeline and Bethany don't offer.
America World Adoption - I said three agencies, but this one has a Kazakhstani and Russian program, plus I have some church planting friends using this agency to adopt from India.
Resources:
Together for Adoption
Saddleback Church Orphan Care
Kisses from Katie (book)
Adopted for Life (book)
Orphan Justice (book)
Lifesong (fundraising)
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