Tortilla Tuesday

Today was the day:  TORTILLA TUESDAY  The day that we joined with Lifesong to 'experience' a meal regularly served at Lifesong Honduras.     Approximately 550 kids are served tortillas, beans and rice with a little cream for dinner each day.  They also eat tortillas, rice and beans for breakfast.  For lunch, you guessed it, tortillas, rice and vegetable soup, pasta or chicken.    Are you seeing a pattern here?

We decided to bring TORTILLA TUESDAY to our community group to help share the needs of the children in Honduras.  Our community group enjoys a meal together before each of our meetings.  So this was a great time to learn about others who live so differently than we do and to consider how the Lord might have us share out bounty with them.  Before the meal,  James read through some facts regarding the people and children of Honduras.  Then the digging in commenced; with a greater appreciation of our abundance, I'm sure.   

Finger lickin good.

Where the children gather to eat....laugh and eat some more.

The meal proved to be a good experience.  Some comments were:  "Amazing how fast you digest this meal." "It really is tasty". "Can we have this every day?"  "Okay, maybe not every day, three times a day". "This is an inexpensive meal"  "Can we have seconds?"

If you would like to give to children in Honduras, Lifesong For Orphans has a matching grant opportunity which would double your dollar...and who doesn't want to double their dollar these days?    Check out Lifesong's website and join them in bringing Joy and Purpose to orphans in Honduras....and keep those tortillas coming!!!   

http://lifesong.squarespace.com/

Helping Bring Our Siblings Home

The Swanson and Streyle kids hosted our second  Parents Night Out fundraiser.  We had a total of 17 kids attending (not counting us :P ).

Though it was a "little" crazy at times we had a blast and enjoyed the opportunity to raise money to help bring home our siblings from Ethiopia.

We had  the kids split up into two groups: Group #1 was age 6-12  and Group #2 was age 2-5. We also had two babies. (Which Mom and Dad claimed)   For our craft we decorated crosses with all different kinds of do-dads (including Ethiopia coffee beans :) ).  In Ethiopia, you can buy a cross from the region in which you were born so we had the kids decorate their own 'cross'.  After a great time of games, we read stories about Ethiopia.  We ended the evening with a scavenger hunt for candy.  Yes, we gave the kids candy and then sent them home! We also sent each child home with a braided bracelet of yellow, red and green (colors of the Ethiopian flag) to remind them to pray for our siblings and the children of ET.  As kiddos were waiting for their parents to pick them up, they watched a DVD of the African Children's Choir. I do believe there was a bit of dancing going on too.  

We so appreciate the families that participated and supported us in our efforts to Help Bring Our Siblings Home.   

Here are some pictures.........

 
posted by Wynter

Matching Grant opportunity.....TODAY

We are participating is  fund raising with Ordinary Hero...TODAY. http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Ordinary_Hero/Store/Store.html

OH is offering a $100 matching grant to the first affiliate (that's what they call us) to reach $100 in our commission account.  So....if you are thinking of ordering from OH...TODAY is the day to put in an order.    In addition to the OH apparel, you may also make a donation for shoes, blankets or rain gear for children in orphanages and we will receive a portion of that donation.  Its a double hit!  Children will receive some much needed items and we will receive a portion of the donation in our adoption account at OH.  (We ordered two of their T-shirts and LOVE the quality of the shirts. )If you place an order, choose our name from the drop down portion of your order. 

Along the fund raising vein......our girls, along with their friends who are also adopting from Ethiopia, are offering a Parent's Night Out this Saturday.  They have a full house of kids coming and have planned some great games and crafts along with a story and snack.  Should prove to be a fun time.  So grateful that they WANT to help bring their siblings home.   We'll post some pictures after Saturday night.   

Counting Shoes with Lifesong for Orphans

Okay all you shoe lovers....Here is a thought provoking challenge from Lifesong that is good for the soul....or sole.  :-)

Edmund Gives Back from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Edmund is just one example of many who have been helped by Lifesong Honduras, and are now giving back.  I love how he obviously cares for these kids and even gives what little he has away so they can have shoes!  What a great example.
Here’s a question for you… How many pairs of shoes do you have?
Me? I have somewhere in the 30’s… (eek!)
The kids at Lifesong Honduras have one pair each… sometimes two (a pair of boots to serve in).  Wow.
This Saturday join us for Shoe Saturday.  Simply count your shoes… and get your kids in on it too.  Have them count theirs.  And then tell them about the children in Honduras.  Tell them about Edmund who sacrifices his own money so children in the village can have something on their feet.  Then as a family pray.  Thank God for His faithfulness and His blessings on your family.  Thank Him for raising up men and women and children in Honduras to care for the poor, the orphaned, the vulnerable.  Ask Him to continue to provide and watch over them.  Ask Him raise up supporters so Lifesong can continue to serve in Honduras.
We are reaching for a goal:
 
Please pray that we can reach this goal?   Maybe God wants to use you?  Will you prayerfully consider joining us?
Maybe you can't give $30 a month... Maybe you can give more.  Today we want to encourage you to give your best!
One commitment we've received was a one time gift... Another commitment was matched by the donor's employer... meaning his gift has now quadrupled!  We are so excited to see people rise up and give what they can!
Thank you to those who have committed so far.
We have 15.5 commitments.
Can we make 100?
We have 7 days... 84.5 commitments to go.
With your help we can do it!

Lifesong for Orphans

I wanted to pass along to you some information we received from Lifesong for Orphans.  Lifesong is an organization that exist to bring joy and purpose to orphans.   James heard about Lifesong last spring when he attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit with people from church.  We continue to hear great reports on Lifesong as we move through our own adoption journey.

Definitely, an organization that is worth your time (and I think 'time' is valuable) to get to know.

This week, Lifesong is blitzing to raise funds to bring joy and purpose to orphans in Honduras.   Please take the time to read and pray about how the Lord might use you to show His heart for the fatherless.

http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2011/3/21/more.html

March Wait List Numbers

Late last night we received our wait list numbers for March. (Yipee!)  Given the proposed changes to Ethiopian adoptions, it was encouraging to see movement with referrals from our agency.  During this time of uncertainty, AGCI encourages us to have HOPE and endurance for our little ones.


        For the Boy List:                        For the Sibling List:         

For the Girls List we are #61

 If you remember, we have prayer request tucked into each one of our wait list pockets.  How fun it was to see the request that we will bring before the Lord....FOR THIS CHILD.  

#55 Provision for adoption expenses.
#54 All our paperwork would be correct.
#53 Time frame would move quickly (this is so relevant given the recent news)
#52 Provision for travel expenses for two trips.
#51Officials handling the paperwork would be efficient and thorough.
#50 God would grant wisdom to AGCI in the referral process.
#49 We would find favor with MOWA.
#48. This request is between us and the Lord.  :-)

Keep in mind that we came up with these request in November, completely unaware of the recent changes with MOWA and Ethiopian adoptions.  Isn't God so amazing that these request put on our hearts in November are so relevant to recent events.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that about my God!!!

Adoption Fundraising Spotlight.

In an effort to help families with their adoption fundraising, Amy over at Filled with Praise spot lights an adoptive family.   Today is the Swanson family's day.
If you would like to see how each family is featured click on the button below.  





Just another reminder to PLEASE sign the petition that JCICS has put together regarding the drastic 90% reduction proposed for Ethiopian adoptions.  http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

Soon to come:  pictures of the Parent's Night Out fundraiser.

In God's Hand

We've spent the last few days praying, praying and praying.  We have a gentle peace that comes from knowing the whole situation is in God's hand.  Still don't know how this will translate out for our adoption or the adoption of hundreds of other families.  Its called: "Waiting on the Lord".  Who better to wait on than the One who guides kings hearts where He wills, who calls the stars by names, who knows when a sparrow falls...and who planted the desire to adopt in our hearts. 
Please continue to pray for the 4-5 million orphaned children in Ethiopia, for the governments and other agencies involved.  If you have not signed the petition and are comfortable with it...PLEASE do so.
  
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714/sign.html

Urgent Call to Action for Ethiopian Adoptions

Bear with me, this is long but URGENT!!  Today we received heart wrenching news from our agency, All God's Children International, regarding an announcement from the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) in Ethiopia. MOWA is reducing intercountry adoptions by 90%.  This could translate into a SEVEN year wait (before being placed with a family) for children currently in institutions in Ethiopia.  From this momma, daddy and sister's heart, we are earnestly asking you to do a few things: 1.  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY  Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is like streams of water in the hands of the Lord; He guides it wherever He will".  God is a father to the fatherless so pray with us that the 4-5 million orphans in Ethiopia will see the hand of their Father, their protector.  Pray for peace for us; that truth would reign in our hearts and minds as we hold our child(ren) with open hands before the Lord.    2.  PLEASE...take your time and read the information from our AGCI as they explain the situation and the roll of JCICS in advocating for children.  Read the Call to Action.  3.  Should you feel led, please take the Call to Actions steps below...and in the meantime, pray for MOWA that it would be streams of water in the Lord's hand.   Help Us Advocate For Ethiopian Orphans

An Important Update The Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) has announced a proposal to decrease the number of adoptions they will process and approve—even by as much as 90%. They are planning to accomplish this decrease by limiting the number of approved cases to only 5 per working day. This change is currently set to begin on March 10, 2011. Please know that no one fully understands this proposal yet. Our staff, led by Almaz in Ethiopia, are still sorting out what this could mean for each of the children and families that we work with. These children are their passion and they are working on the front lines in this advocacy. Also, this is not limited to AGCI. This will impact every agency and the families that each serve. This means that all agencies are working together in their advocacy making a very strong force that is working on the behalf of children and families. Currently, all agency staff are waiting for the Director of MOWA to return to Ethiopia. Once she returns they will have a chance to sit down and talk over the implications of this proposal. To attempt to counteract this proposal, the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) has put a “Call to Action” in place. This sort of international advocacy is what JCICS does, and they do it well. We are strongly encouraging you to read their post below and follow the suggested steps. You can also share this with your family, friends, Facebook friends and church to do the same. It is so important that we are all united in this effort! We are all advocates in our own circles of influence—and it is good to partner with you in this! Thank you again for all that you are doing at this time. You are all valued and important in this process of promoting and preserving the best interest of children in Ethiopia and around the world. God Bless, Hollen Frazier Executive Director

Post from Tom DiFilipo, Executive Director of JCICS March 7, 2011 Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week. The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions. The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years. Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.

JCICS Call to Action March 8, 2011 Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children What You Can Do: 1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on! 2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s Affairs. Send your photos and stories to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide. 3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our our blog. We appreciate each of you joining us in prayer and action.

It's the Little Things

Every time I make a trip to the post office in the little town just two miles from our home, I am reminded of God's goodness.

Quite a few months ago, I had gone to this same post office to mail our initial fingerprints for our home study.  The envelope brought some questions from the postmaster.  When I told her we were adopting (not getting a job with the government), the assistant postmaster pulled out his wallet to show me a picture of the two girls they adopted some 20 years ago.   :-)  The three of us had a wonderful conversation about the beauty of adoption.

Whenever I make runs to our little post office, these two postmasters always ask about our adoption, where we are at in the process, and offer words of encouragement. I love these postmasters and I only know their first names.  :-) 


Isn't that just like God to display His goodness in the little things like post office runs?