Will you do it?

God is always loving, pursuing, and speaking! 


And we, most of us anyway.. Are on the move, running and multitasking.


Progressively it has become more difficult to slow down and listen to His still, quiet, Voice. The Voice that spoke creation into being.  The Voice who proclaims, "This one belongs to me", when the Evil One comes as an accuser.


Distractions.. They are layered about everywhere. And in there midst of this confusing, often chaotic life, God has not abandoned us. He is here.. He is still loving, pursuing.. And speaking.


He whispers as if His Voice were in the wind. With love and truth He says, "I am the least of these.. Do you see me?"  "I am the one on the street corner holding the sign and I wait in the line at the downtown mission.. Look through the clothes, the beard, the stench.. Thats me in there!"


I am the orphan who stands and looks at you with a dazed stare. Thats what hopelessness does to innocence."  I mumble, "Daddy" as I walk toward you with my hand out.. Its only a whisper. "Do you hear me?"


In that glance.. This in this moment.. The distractions subside enough for you to hear me say, "Be still and know that I am God!"


Will you do it?


Dave Wood, International Director

SOMEONE

Today SOMEONE is feeling compelled to care for the fatherless
And SOMEONE is heeding the call for needy orphans in distress

As a result, SOMEONE begins to give, begins to serve, begins to go
SOMEONE decides to build an orphanage, sponsor a child, get in the know

SOMEONE realizes that 38,000 orphaned children age out every day
And there is SOMEONE who is screaming out that this is not okay

SOMEONE sees a child's empty future, and feels their lack of hope
SOMEONE knows without life and job skills the orphan can not cope

Seventy percent in crime or prostitution, SOMEONE has a heart break
There is growing desperation, SOMEONE sees an over 10% suicide rate

SOMEONE is restless, in spite of all the efforts, that this problem only grows
SOMEONE is impassioned enough to ruffle a few feathers and step on toes

Finding a strategic solution to orphan care becomes SOMEONE's chief aim
SOMEONE knows there are a 147 million orphans and they're people, not a stain

SOMEONE understands that to reach orphans you have to reach their town
Discipleship in homes, schools, and business, SOMEONE isn't messing around

SOMEONE refuses to settle for welfare, band-aid ministry models that fail
The Gospel transforms the city, because SOMEONE decides to go tell

SOMEONE decides to be the church, to have their actions say I love you
I've decided I'll be that SOMEONE, will you be that SOMEONE too?

Dave Wood, International Director

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep
In my home that’s really sweet
Had three large meals and a snack
There wasn’t a hint of any lack
Comfortable shoes and clothes that fit
My heart’s desires my money can get
Friends and family know my name
So many opportunities it’s just insane
Doctors and dentists, heat and air
A hope and a future.. No despair
Little chance I’ll die before I wake
But if I do, my soul God will take.
But the homeless orphan goes to sleep
His unbathed body on a filthy street
Sold himself today to get a meal
From a slimy stranger with a dollar bill
No life,no skills, no future, no hope
No family, no friends, no heat, no coat
No shelter, no job, no doctor, no care
No money, no support, no help anywhere
Despair and neglect a fight to survive
A shell of a child more dead than alive
And if this orphan dies before he wakes
Will he know God his soul to take?

Dave Wood
International Director

How does REAL change happen?

Today SOMEONE will feel compelled to care for needy orphans in distress. As a result they will give, go, serve, etc. to build an orphanage, sponsor a child, or any number of other worthy avenues of support. And yet every single year, the number of orphans in the world greatly increases. And every single day, over 38,000 orphaned children age out of orphanages with virtually no hope. With no family, no home, no job opportunities, no way to make a living….. over 70% of these kids end up in prostitution, crime or both. Additionally, as many as 10-20% take their own lives within 2 years of aging out.

Something is amiss. With so many caring people, so many sponsors, so many mission trips… why do these sad and horrible numbers continue to expand? And more importantly, what can YOU do about it?

How can YOU strategically make a difference? How can your efforts lead to real and lasting life change? The answer was revealed in the first century after Christ. In 60 short years, the entire world population went from knowing nothing of Christ to being completely affected by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The key was discipleship… for faith, for family, for education, and for business. How was this possible and could this same model be used today to transform our communities and genuinely care for orphans in distress?

The answer is YES! The successful paradigm used in the first century is centered around your own personal transformation. You aren’t going to change your world by throwing dollars alone at the problem, or even investing a week of your life to go on a mission trip. You and I must see the poverty in our own lives. We need to begin to view poverty as a lack of relationship more than a lack of resource. The needs of our brothers and sisters across the world are identical to ours. Relationship to God, relationship to family, relationship to community, relationship within yourself. What we all need is partnership, not social welfare. Understanding this transforms the way we think of ministry. For example, instead of going on a mission trip and bringing an extra bag full of clothes to pass out, we bring a used sewing machine, cloth, and thread. Working with the local church, we provide training and teach locals how to sew. They can then check out a time to use the sewing machine and make and sell their own clothes. The solution is teaching, through discipleship, how to fish instead of pulling up a truck and throwing fish out.

Something incredibly dynamic happens as you begin to understand God’s paradigm to transform orphans. You will no longer be satisfied with band-aid ministry and will become an agent of real change in the world. YOU are not just important in God’s plan to reach orphans.. YOU are vital, because in God’s paradigm.. orphan care begins with YOU!

Dave Wood
International Director

WHEN BEAUTY AND BROKENNESS CONVERGE

Turquoise ocean waters rolling in perfect synchronization up to sunny, pristine looking beaches from 12,000 feet. I’m on final approach to Porta Plata, flying across the Dominican Republic, a majestic tropical island that could easily be mistaken for one belonging in the Hawaiians. I have had opportunities to travel all over the globe, but I am thinking to myself that I have perhaps never taken in so much beauty for such an extended period of time, literally in every direction I am awed by what my eyes are taking in.. WOW!

In twenty minutes we are on the ground at a really cool looking semi-outdoor airport. What an interesting place. Neat and exotic designs, people, and stuff.. yeah, I’m absolutely falling in love with this place! For safety and a good night’s sleep the team is staying at an all inclusive resort just minutes from airport(my first such experience and only $43 a night). Our little piece of heaven for the next three days is down a beautifully landscaped boulevard. As we pull up I am immediately taken by how everything is so open, maximizing the pure delight of perfect temperatures in this Caribbean paradise. The outdoor restaurant is my favorite place on the complex.. continual coastal breezes dancing lightly on me, enjoying delicious tasting foods and juices, perfectly manicured golf course and pool in the background, and like minded teammates conversing at our table.. don’t pinch me I might wake up.. WOW!

The next morning less than two miles from my comfortable all-inclusive resort beauty converged with brokenness. Trash and despair everywhere I looked and moved.. repulsive smells, crying, disease, and hopelessness.. death is viewed as relief. The team tours a village stepping in ankle high trash and open sewage. I bend down and tie a few more knots in my shoestrings to lessen the likelihood they will be exposed to this filth. A few steps latter it doesn’t matter as one of my feet sink six inches into a combination of things not fit to describe here. An entire town of dilapidated dwellings and not one of the homes is the size of my son’s bedroom. We hear the villagers stories, pray over a man dying of cancer and a lady whose 12 month old child has been taken to the hospital (a place where you go to die).. its not the first child she’s had that has taken this sad journey. We meet four girls 13 and 14 years old. All but one of them have been sold into prostitution by their parents. The other girl is parentless.. an orphan prostitute and in her arms is an 18 month old child.. who will no doubt grow up as an orphan as well. I have an ache inside of me that is hard to describe. It’s physical, emotional, and spiritual. How can these things be.. as the days quickly click by this feeling only grows as town after town we are confronted with the same unforgettable reality.. total brokenness! And for almost everyone in these towns over the age of eight or nine hope has already died.. WOW!

The world takes broken things and broken people and discards them. Few even know these people exist. I had not given these creations of God much thought before I pulled up to their towns a couple of weeks ago.. that’s all changed now.. I am aware that these Haitians and Dominicans are on the island of despair right now. It’s not getting better.. the Weather Channel is highlighting a tropical storm is beating hard on the people.. WOW!

I read in the Holy Scriptures a question from the book of Isaiah, “What more could have been done?” It’s a penetrating question isn’t it.. what more could be done? ..To look back on the measure of our life and truly evaluate our contribution for His Kingdom. I am growing convinced that our greatest fear in life shouldn’t be the fear of failure, but rather of fear of succeeding at the wrong things. To invest our entire lives climbing the ladder of success only to realize at the end that our ladder was leaning on the wrong things.. WOW!

You and I are called to a Great Cause.. to love “the least of these”.. to care for orphans in distress. Well friends, the distressed are in the Dominican tonight existing in unimaginable conditions. Hope is coming.. We can do more! We must do more! We will do more! We are going to plant churches and schools in these communities. We are going to be the hands and feet of Jesus! We are going to let these precious souls taste the richness of God’s love and glory! Do you want to partner with us.. we could really use someone like you. Yep, I already know you are the perfect fit because you are still reading and these children of God are still waiting. Give me a call and let’s get to work. Lets make a difference.. lets replace brokenness with beauty!

Dave Wood
International Director
lifelineadoption.org
(205)967.0811

Worth the Wait

Ok, I’m just going to say it. I’m going to be confessional and admit it right here on this Christian blog.. I HATE WAITING!!! I know, I know.. that’s not very spiritual of me but it’s the truth! I mean is there anything more intolerable than having to stand around completely dependant on someone else to get you what you need? Sure, maybe its okay when you are a baby and don’t know any better. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons God allows us not to remember anything in those early years.. to keep us from blowing a gasket from all the waiting (think diapers)! Is anyone with me.. or am I the only one who struggles with waiting? And just so you know, I hate all forms of waiting. I will flat out tell you.. I think when I go to the grocery store there is a conspiracy against me. No matter what line I get into you can bet it will end up being the “slow” line. If you ever see me in a store just pick another register and watch how fast you will move.

I am going to say something else about waiting. I hope this will not offend anyone but as long as we are being honest I am going to get it all off of my chest. When I have to wait (often), the last thing I want to hear (often) is a spiritual pep talk about the virtues of patience. I know that patience is a virtue. I know that God is working these delays for my good and His Glory. I know God loves me and sees my circumstance. I get it, I really do. I’m even telling these things to myself while I wait three hours to get my car tags. But sometimes I just don’t want to hear the patience sermon from a well meaning friend (that I know suffers with road rage himself).

So, that’s what I have loved about all these “Adoption Reunions” Lifeline has been doing this month (St. Louis two weeks ago, Birmingham this past week, and Spokane, Washington this coming weekend). Wait a second.. What does patience have to do with our Adoption Reunions? Well, since you asked.. Imagine with me an Adoption Reunion in a large banquet room completely packed out with hundreds of adoptive families.. a good number of them are in the adoptive process, but most families have already been through the adoption process and they are home with their child or children. And today, these families have brought by the hundreds, their little joyful (full of energy).. adoptive kiddos. Each of these incredible, beautiful children are a billboard that says, “You will not wait forever” “After the wilderness.. the Promiseland” “I was worth every moment you had to wait” I love it! Because, like most of our families in the process, I need to SEE this truth much more than I need to hear it.

So thank you Lifeline families for bringing your adoptive kids to our Reunions the past two weeks (and for the hundreds who will be in Spokane this weekend). This past weekend I sat in awe watching and listening to your children smile, laugh, sing, shout, giggle, whisper in your ear, tug on your arm, and give you hugs and kisses. But I also realize, while all that was going on, your kids were quietly preaching a message to all of our families still in the process.. You won’t wait forever! After the wilderness.. the Promiseland! Your child will be worth every moment you had to wait! Thanks kids!!!

Rich blessings, peace, and yes.. patience to each of you. Joy is coming in the morning!
Dave Wood
International Director

God is blessing Lifeline

When I think of Lifeline I smile. I smile because we are growing. I smile because we have been blessed with an incredible, experienced, dedicated staff of professional social workers. I smile because we have an army of volunteers just wanting to assist us in assisting our families. I smile because we are aggressively developing ministries to address the plight of the orphan. I smile because I have been looking at pictures today.. pictures of children who have hope and a future, children who have someone to comfort them when they skin a knee or have a tummy ache, children who now live in Christian homes! Sometimes I just want to say a thousand thanks!

There is so much to be grateful for.. Lifeline is effectively bringing more and more orphaned and fostered children home every year and our footprint in the adoption community continues to grow. We now offer nine International Programs and we are close to adding several more, giving qualified families greater opportunity and flexibility to grow their families and put a dent in the orphan population. But there is still so much more that could and should be done. For instance, I know that 83.7657% of statistics are irrelevant, but one stat that does get my attention is that over 60% of American families consider adoption, but less than 2% actually adopt a precious child. That is a tragedy! Why do so few interested couples complete an adoption? There are two primary reasons.. One, families do not get their questions answered (and adoption is full of unknowns). Second, families cannot handle the financial obligation of the actual cost of the adoption (adoptions can cost between $20,000 and $30,000). Lifeline is committed to the process of answering all the questions that prospective adoptive parents may have and also giving families the tools and resources to financially complete their adoption.

In coming days look for our agency to become more aggressive in our communication with families open to adoption. We want to exhaust every means to inform and educate families, to get their questions answered. We want to utilize every communication tool Steve Jobs can create (Co-founder of Apple and chief designer of the ipad.. but did you know he was adopted?). This past week we pulled off our first of hundreds of adoption webinars. With a goal to both inform and inspire we want to connect to more and more prospective adoptive families. We also want to creatively expand the way families can cover the cost of their adoption. Please check out our website at lifelineadoption.org to see the coming webinar schedule. Also be looking for a 24/7 Online Informational Meeting we will have on the web shortly, we want the information families need when they need it.



Blessings to all of you!

Dave Wood
International Director

The Other Boy

Two boys play in an orphanage half way around the world. Although there is much sadness in their lives and the conditions they live in are pitiful, they are comforted by their close friendship which has extended for most of their lives. As these boys play they are unaware that both of their worlds are getting ready to radically change.

A Christian family from the United States is boarding an airplane and coming to this distant land to fulfill their dream of rescuing an orphan and growing their family. The family is exceptional in every way, and with much grace and patience they have negotiated the long, expensive, and difficult journey of International Adoption. The family has been matched with one of the two boys. For several months the family has looked with wonder at the cute picture of their boy to be. They have consistently prayed for him and often closed their eyes and imagined how wonderful it will be when he is home playing in their backyard.

No one is coming for the other boy. No eager family has held his picture, prayed for him by name, and imagined with joy a hope and a future for him. You see, for at least one of several potential reasons, the other boy is unadoptable.

Both boys see the strange yet friendly faces of the adoptive parents on the day they arrive at the orphanage. Although this first contact feels a bit unsettling for both, one of the boys quickly adjust, as one amazing never before seen toy is pulled from a large bag. These peculiar sounding adults huddle around one boy smiling, talking, touching, loving. The bonding process that will lead to a successful adoption has began.

The other boy, unknowing, is relieved when the strange people finally leave and things seem to get back to normal. But for next several days the strangers return and interrupt his time with his best friend. Oh how the other boy wishes they would leave and never come back! Then one day it appears his dream has come true, the strangers don’t return. They are finally gone for good. He excitedly goes to play with his buddy, but slowly, sadly, he discovers that he is gone too. He is gone forever!

The boy flying home to America will be celebrated at the airport. He will be known by his parent’s name. He will grow up in a great home, having all the same legal rights as their biological daughter. He will attend a great school and an excellent church.. and he will learn about Jesus and most likely one day become a devoted follower of Christ.

On Orphan Sunday, James 1:27 is preached and when the pastor declares that we are called to rescue orphans in their distress, several families look over at the adoptive family and their new son and smile. The proud parents, almost instinctively put their arm around their sweet boy and give him a squeeze.

The other boy will never be celebrated at an airport or anywhere else. The other boy never knew his parents... He will never know how it feels to have a mommy clean and kiss a skinned up knee and put a “Disney” band-aid over it. No one will sing him a song and hold his hand til tummy ache goes away. The other boy will never hear the voice of a daddy say, “I’m so proud of you son!” He will grow up with little focus or attention on him. The other boy’s personality, his hopes and dreams, his hurts and fears will basically go unknown. He will not be taught, and will not believe, that there is a God and that “other boys” are immeasurably loved by Him. One day he will “age out” of a miserable orphanage, be given a few dollars and perhaps a coat, and sent to the unkind streets without a hint of life or job skills.

He is an orphan in distress! Waiting for him, just steps from the curb of the orphanage, is a pimp who will offer him food, shelter, and a job.. He will have to sell his body to the most disgusting low-life’s in his city just to keep a little food in his stomach. The other boy, who emotionally is still a little child, is full of unspeakable fear. There isn’t a mentor to offer any guidance. There isn’t any hope of a future. He now understands in this stark and terrifying reality why so many orphans have decided to take their own lives.

The Orphan Sunday service has just concluded, there is plenty of glad handing as families make their way to the car. I hear the adoptive parents ask their new son where he’d like to go for dinner. He smiles and shouts, “McDonalds!”

I smile too, In fact I almost laugh. I am so happy for this precious boy and his godly parents! But today, I just don’t feel like eating at McDonald’s or anywhere else. It seems I have lost my appetite because I just can’t get my mind off of the other boy!

Unadopted was launched in early 2010 to go love, share the Gospel, educate in life and job skills, and mentor the other boy. There are a 143 million other boys and girls in our world and the number keeps growing. Less than 1% of these precious children will ever be adopted. Unadopted believes our call from God is to care for ALL orphans in distress. Will you join us in that call?

Dave Wood
International Director

Lunch with Lifeline

Tomorrow, Lifeline will be hosting our first Facebook event, Lunch with Lifeline! This event will be an informal discussion with some of our International Social Workers and myself. As Lifeline’s International Director, I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to attend this event. So whether you are considering adoption for the first time, or if you are at a later stage of the adoption journey, please post your questions. I believe that our Lifeline families can benefit from these written discussions on Facebook as they see questions get answered that are probably also on their mind.

Here is all you have to do... Tomorrow, simply go to Lifeline Children’s Services’ Facebook page between 12 and 1 central time and post your adoption questions. This will be a very informal time to chat with our staff about anything on your mind, in regard to all aspects of international adoption. I want everyone to feel welcome to bring their concerns and questions about adoption to the “lunch” table.

In closing, I would like to personally ask for you to partner with me in two things. First, realize this is all new to us. Our intent is to assist families and have a casual, safe setting to ask anything (there are no “dumb” questions). As we learn how to maximize this communication tool we will get better at effectively addressing the topics most important to our families. So, for tomorrow, please be patient and bear with us as we host this event and work out any kinks in this new medium of communication for Lifeline. And second, please attend this event, feel free to invite a friend, and ask me any question that you have. I am confident that over the summer this forum will grow and we may not be able to easily get to all the questions. On our first time out, this should not be an issue as many of our families are still learning that we will be offering this once a month service. Our desire is to offer “Lunch with Lifeline” once a month, so please have some fun with us tomorrow for our inaugural run!

International adoption can be confusing and intimidating, but Lifeline would like to be there for you to address any fears or concerns that you may have from the very beginning to the conclusion of your adoption journey. Thank you for your continuous support of our agency and our ministry to families like you.

May God be glorified in all that we do!

Dave Wood
International Director

UGANDA IS OPEN!

To all of our Uganda families..

I am so excited to report to you that late last week the first IR4 visa since February 3, 2010 has been issued for a family that has obtained legal guardianship of Ugandan children (the conditions of that particular visa are unknown). However, early tomorrow morning a visa will be issued to a Lifeline family (with no special terms or conditions)! This visa issuance, and those that will follow, is the result of a letter of clarification from the Department of State to the U.S. Embassy in Kampala. Lifeline’s firm understanding is that this clarification instructs the Consular in Kampala to issue IR4 immigrant visas for families who have proper immigration and adoption wording. Due to this clarification, we are now confident in moving forward with obtaining court dates for our families!

Lifeline believes that in spite of the delays God continues to show favor on our agency and our families! We are excited to move forward with legal guardianships in Uganda and are hopeful that today’s visa issuances will be the first of many for Lifeline families in 2010!

Two factors that families should be aware of in creating a realistic expectation of the Uganda process moving forward. One, there is a significant back log of families and limited judges so things will begin slow and pick up as more families, that have been waiting in Uganda, are granted visas. Two, with an investigation needing to take place for each child, additional time may be needed in country. As we gather more information and request additional ways for the Embassy to address this we will let you know. I can assure you that Lifeline is going to be very proactive in filing for court appointments and setting official travel dates.

In closing, I want to thank each family for an amazing display of grace and patience. I truly believe God blessed our families with incredible peace throughout this difficult delay. Without question things are opening now because you and other committed families were so responsive to contact their congressional officials.

Many Blessings,
Dave

How to Pick an Adoption Agency--A Message from the International Director

Pick an agency that is Hague accredited.
-This credential means that you are working with an agency that has been inspected, reviewed, approved and is monitored by agencies and groups that require legitimacy and ethical procedures.

Pick an agency that does not have open or unaddressed complaints with the Better Business Bureau or State licensure.
-You should call both entities and make sure the agency you choose to work with has an unblemished/clear record. If you are going to work with a Hague agency you should also check with the COA (Counsel for Accreditation) to make sure no complaints have been filed against the agency.

Pick an agency that has a successful track record of completing adoptions.
-Perspective adoptive parents should select an agency with seasoned international adoption experience. The international adoption process is extremely complex and you do not want to be an agency’s “guinea pig” If an agency does not have a long, successful history of completing adoptions, and if they can not offer you recent families for recommendation, consider crossing them off of your list.

Pick an agency that has personally traveled to the country you are adopting from.
-You want an agency that has personally met with the lawyer, facilitator, Central Authority for Adoption, the US Embassy, etc. The agency has verified and personally visited the orphanages and the orphaned children (the agency knows the children comply with USCIS "orphan" status immigration requirements - section 204.3) If an agency has not traveled to the country you are adopting from you should strongly consider crossing them off your list.

Pick an agency that has signed contractual agreements with their facilitators/lawyers.
-You should ask how the relationships with the facilitator/lawyer were established? Has the agency personally met the facilitator/lawyer? What is the background/experience of the facilitator/lawyer? Has any background checks/verifications been done on the facilitator/lawyer? What opinion/knowledge does the US Embassy have of the facilitator/lawyer? Has the US agency confirmed through the US Embassy how many immigrant visas the facilitator/lawyer has processed, how many were denied & why? If an agency is using a facilitator/lawyer without known experience/success and a good reputation I would consider crossing them off of your list.

Pick an agency that has successfully had all their perspective adoptive parents travel, go through court & granted an adoption decree.
-Ask the agency if any of their perspective adoptive parents (for the country you are interested in) have ever been denied an adoption visa (IR3) or permanent guardianship (IR4)? If the agency is not willing to provide this information to you in writing, cross them off your list.

Pick an agency that offers 24/7 support while you are in country.
-What is the agency's contingency plan for perspective adoptive parent support if a “worst case scenario” happens? By support we are talking about.. emotional, medical, mediation with the US Embassy, DOS, etc. If an agency cannot be reached 24/7 when there is a perspective adoptive family in crisis (meaning they are in-country or have just returned from country in a "worst case scenario") . . . cross them off your list. If an agency does not have a contingency plan or they say they don't need one or there is not such a plan in writing, and/ or it has never even been thought about.. run! Cross them off your list.

Pick an agency that clearly understands the ramifications of section 204.3 of the immigration requirements.
-Your agency should know what legally defines an “orphan”, how to file a petition for an orphan, and how perspective adoptive parent’s status is evaluated. If the agency cannot do this then you should seriously consider crossing them off your list!

Pick an agency that list all known fees and cost (not just the agency fees).
-Does the agency know the average cost of adoption within the specific country you are pursuing? What are the court costs, facilitation cost, documentation costs, translation costs, etc.? Are the fees for USCIS, etc. included? Are the specific fees charged by the agency reasonable in regards to the specific country's average? If not, consider crossing them off your list. NOTE: Is the agency charging you an "inter-country court fee" that matches the actual court cost? If the agency does not post all their fees in writing, cross them off your list.

Pick an agency that has an inter-country adoption attorney on staff/retained for issues relating to their adoption services.
-If the agency does not have a reputable inter-country adoption attorney with specific inter-country adoption experience at their fingertips (to help establish the programs so they are legit, ethical & successful, and also for when the process hits a serious snag!) I would highly suggest you cross them off your list!

Pick an agency that has a clearly written reimbursement policy.
-If the agency’s reimbursement policy is not detailed and specifically defined, in a reimbursement plan (where critical points in the process are specifically defined for amounts or % of reimbursement). . . cross them off you list. NOTE: Does the agency have a plan in place if the prospective mom becomes pregnant or the family decides to put their process on hold? Does the agency have a plan in place if the country you have selected closes or is delayed at some point in the process? If an agency does not have specific, well defined plan to protect their families in these scenarios.. strongly consider crossing them off your list.

Pick an agency that discusses (in writing) all risk and what party is responsible if the process is denied, delayed, or placed on hold.
-If you read in the agency’s adoption contract "Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) assume(s) all risk be very concerned! Does the contract state or imply "reasonable" risk such as the country’s government changing laws (things that are out of the control of the agency? A perspective adoptive parent should NOT be responsible for the illegal/criminal activity of the agency or partners there-of (inter-country facilitators/lawyers). This is not "reasonable" risk. If the agency is not willing to be specific in defining "risk", cross them off your list.

Pick an agency that understands the requirements of the US Embassy in a particular country.
-Obtaining a inter-country adoption decree (IR3) or permanent guardianship order (IR4) does not mean you are through the process! An immigrant visa MUST be issued for you to leave the country with you child and return to your home country. If you agency is not well versed in what documents are needed and how they can be verified in advance.. consider crossing them off your list.

Dave Wood
International Director

Glory!--A Message from our International Director

Why am I here? With over 6 billion people on the planet why one more.. why me? Discovering the answer to that question is the single most important thing you will ever accomplish in your life. If you figure it out it will reshape all of your thinking and literally transform you as a person. Unfortunately, I can flat out tell you that our churches are full of people who are still clueless when it comes to this grand question. I can say this because for a good amount of time I was one of the clueless ones and frankly those around me were clueless too. I just didn’t get the concept of GLORY. Honestly, when I heard the word, I thought of angels kind of floating around God and some really loud organ music.. and oh yeah robes, lots and lots of robes.

Those thoughts really weren’t the ones God wanted dancing in my head when I thought of the word GLORY. Let me share with you an awesome verse and then unlock this powerful word. In John 17:4 Jesus declares to the Father, “I have brought you GLORY on earth, completing all that you have called me to do!” The word GLORY literally means “to make heavy”. We have probably all heard the expression, “Don’t make light of what I am saying” To give God GLORY means to make Him, His Word, His Plans, and His Commands heavy. GLORY means to make much of God.. to make much of what He says and what He values. To put tremendous weight on the things that are significant to God.

Is there anything in this world more significant to God more than a precious child? When the disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus quietly put a child on his knee and said, “Unless you become like this little child you won’t even see the Kingdom of God ” How starling that must have been for these disciples to hear. At that time in society children were looked on as little more than property. God was saying if you want to fulfill the purpose of your existence, to bring me GLORY, you have to make heavy my values. And now He was effectively communicating to the disciples the incredible value He places on Children. You bring God GLORY by looking at children differently.. you begin to see them as God sees them. You make much of Children!

I’m going to tell you right now that this completely went against their culture, their education, their experience.. it went against everything they knew. And much of what brings God GLORY goes against the drumbeat of our culture today. We attend church on Sunday but on Monday we exercise OUR values for business, relationships, etc. God is calling us to a higher way of living. A way that doesn’t naturally come to us.. the GLORY way!

So here is Jesus shortly after his horrific death and amazing resurrection, getting ready to leave earth and in his final moments he prays to the Father, “I have brought you GLORY on earth, completing all you have called me to do.” Jesus is saying, “God.. I made you heavy. I didn’t take your plans and commands lightly. I made much of your Word and I fulfilled it! I think one of the coolest lines in all of the Bible is when Jesus proceeds to say, “I completed all that you called me to do” ..That is how Jesus made much of God. He completed all that God had called HIM to do. Notice that Jesus DIDN’T do everything. Jesus didn’t save everyone, He didn’t feed everyone, and He didn’t heal everyone. In fact, Jesus tells the disciples that they will do even greater works than He did! Jesus brought GLORY to the Father by doing no less and no more than what God had called Him to do.

This is wonderful! Bring God GLORY by simply completing what He has specifically called you to do. Okay, I’m going to say it.. God doesn’t call everyone to adopt. Yeah, that’s true.. God doesn’t call everyone to adopt! He may not even call most to adopt. And if God isn’t calling you to adopt don’t ever let a preacher, a friend, an International Director at Lifeline, or anyone else put you on a guilt trip to do so. I know families that have adopted children out of guilt and the result isn’t pretty.. it cheats your family and it cheats a precious child. We don’t have to look any further than the tragic story plastered all over the news this week about the woman from Tennessee who recently abandoned her adopted seven year old child (sending him back to Russia on a plane with a note in his hand) to know that everyone is not called to adopt. Unfortunately, such sad situations always give adoption a bad name, and in this specific case, tragically closes an entire country to adoption.

Before I wrap this blog post, I want to challenge you with you something you are called to do. Each and everyone of us is called to care for orphans.(James 1:22-27) This call is repeated throughout the Old and New Testament. Somehow or someway you and I have to be engaged in orphan care. This is the very heart of God.. you cannot bring Him GLORY and ignore this call. Jesus could not have been more clear, “As you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me” There is no more "least" than an unloved, unknown, uncared for orphan!

Friends, 50 years from now our time on earth will be past. What we choose to do is significant. God has called and created us for the sole purpose of bringing GLORY to Him. Let’s do it! Let’s make His call to the orphan our call.. His passion our passion! Please check out our website at lifelineadoption.org or call our office and allow us the joy of sharing how you can partner together with thousands of other families to touch the lives of precious orphaned children close to the heart of God. I promise.. you will never regret an investment you make in the least of these!

Dave Wood
International Director

My Heroes--A Message From the International Director

Today I want to pay tribute to the greatest heroes in the world. None of them has held public office, flown in space, invented a new product, or played on a professional ball club. No, their tireless and mostly unseen work is hammered out in somewhat over-crowed offices. The masterpiece they produce will never make it on a Best Seller List, but their diligently crafted works will allow some unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody orphan an opportunity to be loved and cherished by a forever mom and dad. Your cares, as adoptive parents, are their concerns. The team that I am blessed to work with isn’t motivated by a paycheck or even a pat on the back. They are committed to a grand cause that has arrested their passions, their talents, and their very lives.. to rescue orphans in their distress – James 1:27.

As the International Director for Lifeline Children’s Services I get the unique opportunity of seeing these heroes, my personal heroes, up close every day. From my front row seat I see their steady, confident leadership and wise counsel to families. All the while a swirl of activity is transpiring all around them. The number of plates that are being spun at any given moment leaves you breathless and somewhat in awe. Their ideas and ideals are stamped on every process and policy that makes Lifeline a truly special agency and ministry. At their core, these social workers are fierce and unrelenting advocates for “the least of these”, believing that each child is merely Jesus in disguise.

A great saint once said, “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” At Lifeline we have a team whose love for children and families is both extraordinary and resilient.. I’m grateful! Because of this I believe our team can accomplish so many great things against an enormous array of the world’s most despicable ills. Just think.. it only took one young monk to begin the Protestant reformation, just one young explorer to discover the New World, just one young President, Thomas Jefferson, to proclaim that all men are created equal, and just one Shepard boy to slay an indomitable giant. What fantastic things have been done and will be done by my heroes who are equally committed!

The sun has long since faded into night as I pack up to leave the office. Making my rounds to turn off the lights I walk down hallways with pictures of hundreds of children, perhaps even thousands, each of them being embraced by their new mom’s and dad’s. For the numberless task that made each of these “miracles” a reality I salute my heroes. Your enduring cause for a hope that still lives and a dream that never dies makes this long day and all that will follow worth it.. thank you!

Dave Wood
International Director

Praise God in the Rain--A Message from our International Director

Birmingham Alabama is wet.. we have endured almost continual rain for some 36 hours. I guess I am like most folks.. after a few hours of needed rain I am ready to see and feel some sunshine. But I can tell you that because of a couple of unusual days ten years ago, I sure do appreciate the rain more than I used to. I was a Youth Pastor and had a group to teens and parents on a mission trip down in balmy Honduras. We were conducting 8-10 youth rally/school assembly programs a day. All of these events were held outside in the school courtyards. Sunny weather was essential but on this particular morning it was raining.. strike that.. it was storming!

The Pastor from El Progresso, Honduras.. a true man of God who fasted every other day and rose early each morning to pray for hours.. was informing our team leaders that the particular school we were preparing to set up at was a strategic school that had strong demonic influence. As he gave his spiritual pep-talk the pragmatic side of me couldn’t help noticing that it was raining buckets and there was no let up in sight. I thought it was a bit strange that he was talking as if this event was going to happen when the surroundings were screaming, “No it won’t!” Just then the school’s principal approached and informed us that the event would have to be canceled due to the rain and we would need to leave the grounds because our presence was distracting to his students. I hated to hear this news but also felt somewhat reassured that I was not thinking crazy thoughts.

Our Honduran pastor friend calmly asked the principal for five minutes. He quickly gathered our entire team together and challenged us to pray passionately for a miracle. He said we need it to stop raining in 60 seconds! As we began to pray, I remember the incredibly loud sound of the rain beating down hard on the tin roof that covered the classroom we were gathered in. 30 of us were praying loudly.. and amazingly, it seemed to quickly chase the rain off. I was experiencing a miracle.. our entire team was experiencing a miracle.. in just a minute the rain, the clouds, the thunder.. all of it was gone. To this day I have never experienced such an immediate miracle. We were able to complete the event and there was much eternal fruit on the campus that day!

The significance of this day, would be magnified the very next day, as the same set of circumstances were setting up.. a brilliant and powerful storm that had no intentions of going anywhere. One of our students, who was functioning as our daily student leader, suggested that we fervently pray as we had done the day before. I thought this was a magnificent idea so we prayed and it continued to rain. We prayed louder and it began to rain louder. I could hear the students were getting discouraged that the miracle wasn’t coming. After a few minutes I shouted, “STOP!” God isn’t deaf.. He hears us.. but He wants it to rain today.. so lets celebrate it! He loves these students more than we do but He wants it to rain. So we played in the puddles and we sang praise and worship songs.. and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. Finally, the principal came over and said, “It doesn’t look like you are leaving and neither is the rain so your schedule is a wash out. We can clear out our largest classroom and you can do six small assemblies instead of one large one." And that’s exactly what we did. I remember being grateful that we could at least minister to the kids at this large school. Halfway through the last assembly a gentleman approached me who had come to pick his child up from school. He asked me several questions and was also very complimentary of our program.. then he dropped a bombshell. He was co-owner and station manager of a national television channel in Honduras and he asked me if our group could fill a 90 minute slot on the popular TV program, “Good Morning Honduras!” with a potential viewing audience in the millions.

The next morning we were live and on air for 90 minutes sharing our faith with the entire country of Honduras. As I watched our students minister on television I couldn't help but reflect on the past couple of days.. the first day was practically an instant miracle.. boom, no rain! The second day we had asked for the same miracle but it came in a completely unexpected way. If the rain had fled when we first began to pray, we would have been long gone from that school when the station manager came to pick up his child at the end of the school day. Praise God in the rain!

Friends, God is in control. His character is unchanging.. He is, and always will be, a God of miracles! He loves children and orphans abundantly more than you and I combined, and He is speeding up and sometimes slowing down your process to fulfill a miracle.. to connect you with the perfect child for your family. If your heart is pure and your prayers are passionate.. you can know that God is listening and a miracle is on the way.. it may come quickly or it may surprise you with a slower, unique path.. but when you have your beautiful child you will know God’s timing is always perfect!

Blessings to all!

Dave Wood
International Director

The Joy of Being a Dad--A Message From the International Director

I have lived a blessed life. I grew up in a great home with a wonderful family. I have attended, belonged, and graduated from some amazing churches and schools. My entire adult life I have went to work at places and with people I truly enjoyed. I have attained some outstanding awards and achieved some incredible things in my lifetime.. but nothing, apart from salvation and my marriage, comes close to the joy and challenging adventure of being “Dad”.

I recall, with fondness, a day several years ago when I was given the last minute responsibility to get my son ready for kindergarten.. A simple task, perhaps for mom, but not particularly easy for me.. not to mention I was already running late and hadn’t begun to get myself ready. Half way through our preparation I noticed my “little man” was standing next to me in the bathroom and he was mimicking all of my preparation for the day. Not only was he also brushing his teeth but his motion, timing, and direction closely resembled mine. When I squeezed some hair gel out and started working it through my hair he requested that I, in like manner, load him up.. I complied and in my haste gave him enough gel for a half dozen 5 year olds. I soon realized this when a minute later I felt a sticky tug on my arm. I looked down to see a little 5 year old boy covered in gel.. it was on his arms and hands, all over his face, and throughout his semi-long hair. Imagine the picture of someone sticking their finger in a light socket and their hair going straight out in every direction and you get an idea of what my eyes were beholding. He had a happy and unassuming smile on his face when he said, “Hey dad, I look just like you!”

I sure hope not.. ha! But in his little mind he thought we did and he was very excited about that. Well, we were going to be late. He was a total mess. But I was probably the happiest man on the planet. My only son wanted to look just like his daddy!

The a few summers ago at our annual golf tournament fundraiser. The tournament is a great event that always has a good number of sports celebrities. Every employee has an assignment and my particular assignment that year was driving around in a cart and making sure the celebs had plenty of soft drinks and snacks.. what a great job huh?

I invited my son to hang out with me for the day. He gladly passed on a day at summer camp to hang with his dad and meet interesting sports stars. The night before the event we search and found his Disney autograph book. Now, next to autographs by the likes of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, he’d have Jay Barker and Stan White, and dozens more!

I enjoyed watching my son go up to the tees and ask the golfing groups who the celebrity in the group was.. three or four guys would always point out the “star” and my son would ask for his autograph and then joyfully run back to the cart to show me. A few non-celebs offered to sign his book. My son declined but kindly offered to let them look at the celebs signatures if they’d like.

Later in the day Stan White, former star quarterback at Auburn, noticed a poisonous snake near the cart path at a tee off. I notified the golf marshal and right there in front of my son he asked me if I would eliminate the threat, handing me a golf club. Well, how could I refuse with my son watching, so I tried to attack the snake with the club. I learned very quickly that snakes are incredibly fast and can climb up golf clubs. Next I tried a large boulder.. my several misses only angered the already aggressive snake. Finally, after about thirty minutes I eliminated the threat. As I walked back to the golf cart where my son was carefully observing, one of my hands holding a golf club and the other holding a lifeless snake.. sweat pouring down my face and body, my son was holding out his autograph book. When I got to the cart he said, “Daddy, I want you to sign my book.. you are my hero!” Friends, that was the proudest day of my life!

Millions of little boys and girls, who in most ways are just like my son, dream of having a mommy and daddy to look up to.. to be a “hero” in their lives. Every day I go to work with an unrelenting desire to find the “heroes” for those boys and girls. Many of you reading this blog will fulfill a little boys dream or a little girls dream. I am humbled and honored to partner with you along your journey. Blessings!

Dave Wood
International Director

From Sorrowful Tragedy to Satisfying Triumph!--A Message From the International Director

This past weekend I attended an Adoption Conference at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Something happened on Saturday morning that left me wondering how many sermons I have heard in my lifetime. I have no idea what the number is, but I know that the number is HUGE, probably into five digits.. if not six! And to be honest, many of these messages have left me dry, empty, and/or bored.. some have literally left me sleeping. But there have also been a good many others that have been incredibly powerful, convincing, encouraging and/or convicting.. and some of those have been life changing. Saturday morning I heard Dr. David Platt, pastor at the Church at Brook Hills, preach one of those life changing, awe inspiring messages!

Dr. Platt’s text was the book of Ruth, chapter 2. (If I can get my hands on a copy of the sermon I will post a link in a future blog). The book of Ruth is an incredible love story that gives the reader a bird’s eye view of the beauty and the sovereignty of God’s Gospel of Grace. Several days have passed since hearing this message and I still find myself continually reflecting on the reality and assurance that God will never leave or forsake me.. He is, and has always been, with me! On my most difficult days.. days that He allows.. God is fully engaged, aggressively plotting His dynamic plan of grace and deliverance in my life. The truth is nothing in our lives is happening by chance.. everyone we meet, and every circumstance we face, is providential. Through this amazing love story God reveals that He often uses sorrowful tragedy to bring satisfying triumph.

Now, this is significant because every adoption begins with a tragedy. Someone had to die (birth parents) or a child had to be rejected to create the possibility. Just like the text in Ruth 2 lays out, someone then had to discover the need.. and have the right to redeem, the resources to redeem, and the resolve to redeem. This is the threefold process everyone hoping to adopt must navigate:

One, you have to demonstrate that you have the right to redeem. That’s what the home study, dossier, DHR, immigration process is all about. You have two country’s governments demanding that you demonstrate your qualifications to parent and that you have the right to redeem a child. Two, you must demonstrate that you have the resources to redeem. Adoption is expensive, not only financially but emotionally as well.. not to mention a huge investment of your time. You will have to demonstrate that you have the resources to redeem a precious child. Finally, your resolve will be put to the test. As I often say, between you and the Promise land of “gotcha day” is a wilderness of waiting and unknowns. You will have to demonstrate that you have the resolve to redeem a precious, abandoned or orphaned child.

This process, that we sometimes refer to as Gospel of Adoption, is the way we were grafted into God’s family.. He had to have the right, the resources, and the resolve to rescue us.. I’m so grateful He did! For those of us blessed to be called by God to adopt, we truly get a front row seat to see and identify with God, in both the difficulty and the ultimate joy, that is the process of adoption.. moving from sorrowful tragedy to satisfying triumph. I pray for continued blessing on all of our Lifeline families, you are never alone, God is always with you!

Dave Wood
International Director

Waiting On Your Spouse While Waiting On Your Child!--A Message From the International Director

I agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson when he said, “How much of human life is lost in waiting”
.. Amen Ralph! Someone could probably make a small fortune if they printed a t-shirt that said, “I HATE TO WAIT!” on the front of it. Waiting may be the single hardest thing we are ever called to do. If I had a dollar for every time someone in the adoption world told me that the waiting is the hardest part, I’d be taking my wife on a really sweet cruise annually.

So, how can we learn to maximize our waiting so that the waiting doesn’t become wasting? How can we learn to wait strategically and expectantly? The key is in converting waiting to hope. And the greatest way to do that is to stop waiting passively and start waiting actively. Waiting need not be an interminable period of finger-drumming, time-killing, mind-numbing inactivity. It can, in fact, be among the most creative and energizing periods of our lives.

With that in mind, I want us to think about the two kinds or forms of waiting. One is all about anticipation (this is the kind that every adoptive parent feels). The other is all about attending and serving (this is the kind you experience in a fine restaurant when someone cares for your needs)

Now, here is what I want to propose to our families going through the adoption process right now.. Consider waiting on your spouse (attending and serving) while waiting on your child (anticipating)! The beauty and hope of adoption is rescuing a needy orphan and placing them into an incredible family. The time between now and the “gotcha day” is a unique season of refining you, your marriage, and your home environment. Before you know it, your “little man” or “little lady” will be in your home and taking up a significant amount of time and energy. The greatest gift you can give to your new child is two parents deeply in love and committed to one another. In the hustle and bustle of adoption meetings and paperwork, followed by a time of waiting and unknowns.. it is easy to lose focus on the primary relationship in an healthy home.. the husband and the wife.

One of the most important things is to keep your enhancement plan simple and clear.. nothing too difficult and something you can work on every day. I heard a recent story that kind of makes this point.. but mostly, its just funny and I wanted to share it with you:

A husband and wife went to the Olive Garden and when the waitress came, she took the drink orders and then, pen poised over her order book, said, "Super Salad?" The husband thought, "Wow! that sounds really good..." So he answered, "Yes!". She stared at him for a moment and said, very slowly and distinctly, "No....Su...per...Salad" At that point, he was imagining what could possibly be on a super salad...perhaps meat delicacies or rare cheeses or nine kinds of pasta, so he nodded 'yes' again enthusiastically. At this point, the waitress just glared at him. His wife smiled, leaned forward, and whispered, "she's saying soup or salad...".

I don’t care what you say.. that’s funny. And its funny because its true! Its way too easy to get lost and confused so here’s ten simple ways that even the guy in this story can enhance his marriage.. I pulled these ten from our friends at New Life Ministries. I challenge each of you to wait on your spouse while waiting for your child!

1. Never bring up mistakes of the past.
Stop criticizing others or it will come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37).

2. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.
And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? (Mark 8:36)

3. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.
And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26).

4. At least once a day, try to say something complimentary to your spouse.
Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4).

5. Never meet without an affectionate welcome.
Kiss me again and again, your love is sweeter than wine (Song of Solomon 1:2).

6. "For richer or poorer" - rejoice in every moment that God has given you together.
A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate (Proverbs 15:17).

7. If you have a choice between making yourself or your mate look good, choose your mate.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them (Proverbs 3:27).

8. If they're breathing, your mate will eventually offend you. Learn to forgive.
I am warning you, if another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him (Luke 17:3,4).

9. Don't use faith, the Bible, or God as a hammer.
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17).

10. Let love be your guidepost.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged (1 Cor. 13:4,5).

Dave Wood
International Director

UGANDA UPDATE

The following information is free to be shared in full, not in part! If you choose to copy and paste, please include the entire notice.

Lifeline has heard from our Advocate/Attorney as well as other well connected sources in Uganda over the course of the past 24 hours. There is speculation of positive movement in the High Court that relates to the “legal guardianship” wording required by the US Embassy. In addition to this, there has also been discussions on waiving the 3 year adoption waiting period that is currently in place. We do not know if these discussions have been limited to children with special needs (we know of one case where this action has indeed taken place) or would be across the board (include non-special needs). Lifeline wants to be clear that discussions are NOT decisions, and although the Embassy is also hopeful for a quick resolve, the Vice Consular informed us yesterday that as of 2/16/10 no formal document from the High Court has been delivered to the Embassy. The US Embassy in Uganda can not and will not provide positive encouragement to adopting families, without a written commitment from the Ugandan High Court, for the requested change in wording as it relates to the full intent of the “legal guardianship”.

Lifeline supports the US Embassy’s position while also understanding the frustration of the High Court. Both Embassy and High Court agree that there should be no misunderstanding in the courts, and in the written decree, as to why American families are requesting “legal guardianship”.

Lifeline families may contact our office for additional and breaking news on the current situation in Uganda. We will continue to provide you with timely and accurate information. We do not know when our next posted update will be, but we continue to pray that the current situation will be resolved quickly.

Adoptive families should also be prepared for a potential backlog both at the courts and the Embassy when the process is fully resumed.

Dave Wood
International Director

Are You My Daddy?--A Message from our International Director

One of the things you quickly realize upon exiting the United States for another country is that most of these countries invest very little in road repair.. no where is this more obvious than Uganda! The small party I was traveling with had been on a really bad, pot-holed highway, for what seemed like an eternity, when our SUV approached an orphanage of sorts. We were told that many such “highway orphanages” exist in Uganda, where a good number of children are abandoned next to the main road by mothers who are going into the Capital City looking for work and have no means to care for a child.

The orphanage we were visiting consisted of basically two large huts with thatched roofs and a large dirt field. There seemed to be a scarce amount of food and no running water. Many of the children lacked adequate clothing and you could see that what they did have had been worn daily for perhaps months. There were four or five caregivers (not including the older kids) for almost 80 children.. Just imagine you, your spouse and another couple caring for 80 kids and you get some idea of the potential for chaos. Yet everyone, at the moment we pulled up, was very calm. Some of the children sat lined along the outside walls of the huts to shade them from a hot sun, but most of the children were just sitting in the dirt doing virtually nothing. There wasn’t a ball, a toy, or anything to play with. For these children it was just another day of meager existence.. just like the day before, and the day before that and so on.. I remember feeling heavy hearted as I got out of the four wheel drive (a necessity in Uganda if you plan to travel more than a few miles outside a main city).

My natural instinct and love for kids drew me to the middle of the dirt field. I smiled at the children and sat down next to a few of them. Suddenly they smiled back at me and quickly began to climb on me. Other children joined in and within minutes the children were laughing and treating me as if I were a human jungle gym. These kids had the same internal make up as my own three children. What happened next will stick with me for the rest of my life.

One of the climbers put their little mouth up against my ear and whispered to me, “Are you my daddy?” A great well of emotions sprang up inside of me. Many other children, over the next several minutes, would fight their way to my ear and repeat those words, “Are you my daddy?” I realized that steamy hot afternoon along a pot-holed highway in southern Uganda, sitting right there in the middle of a dirt field, that what these precious little faces desired more than anything they could think of or imagine was to have a mommy and a daddy of their very own! These children dream of having a “Someone” Someone to love them, to teach them, to protect and provide for them. Someone that will make them feel like the most wonderful, wanted child in the world!

For those of us at Lifeline, we know that through our partnerships these past several months, a handful of Ugandan children will pitter-patter their way down a hallway tonight and into their bedroom. They will pull themselves up into their brand new beds and they will call for their mommy and daddy to come kiss them goodnight. When their parents pray with them they will reach their little arms around their parents necks and hold them tight.. and then they will say what all of the orphaned children in Uganda, and around the world, hope that they can one day say.. “I love you mommy” and “I love you daddy”.

Our passion at Lifeline is to make this dream a reality for more and more children. This past year we exceeded more families than we’ve ever had and we have a significant number of families prepped for travel. Obviously the need and the longing is still unimaginable. And in Uganda the program has currently been put on “hold” while their government and our Embassy work through some issues in wording for “legal guardianships”.

Rescuing precious orphans, in spite of the many and sometimes difficult obstacles, remains our great and consuming cause! Lifeline continues to be blessed with more and more families mature in their understanding and willingness to endure the paperwork, the meetings, the finances, the waiting, and the unknown, to rescue their future sons and daughters and adopt them into a forever family. May God continue to grant blessing and favor on all of you!

Dave Wood
International Director

The Wilderness--A Message from our International Director

I remember the first time I ever heard someone from Lifeline talking to a prospective family about adoption. I thought to myself, “What are you doing, are you crazy.. you just successfully talked that family right out of adopting!” To my utter amazement as the meeting concluded the family appeared energized and excited. How could this be after a 30 minute diatribe of unthinkable difficulties for anyone who dare consider adopting a precious child from another country.

I quickly learned two things that day. One, adoptive parents are the most courageous, awe inspiring people in the world. Their heart for adoption is not a heart that is free from fear, but one completely resolved to the truth that there is something.. a someone..a child..their child, who is significantly more important than fear, waiting, expense, or the unknown! Two, I realized the importance of creating a proper expectation with families. The cold hard fact is that the selfless act of international adoption is tested long before you reach the shore of your child’s Motherland. I can assure you that there isn’t a GPS in the world that can guide you to the Promiseland of International Adoption, without having to first traverse what I call, “The Wilderness.”

The wilderness is a place of self discovery. One of the first things you’ll learn is that you don’t see things as they are. You see things as you are. The Wilderness becomes a mirror reflecting your deepest thoughts and motivations. I am continually amazed and grateful that this experience almost always makes a Lifeline family better, not bitter. Your child will not get the person you are today, but the one who is refined, even transformed, in the wilderness!

This is the place we truly learn, perhaps for the first time, that our lives and our adoption is a scared covenant with God. He alone sees, knows, and controls our course. I will tell you, just as it was for Israel in their journey, there is temptation in the wilderness. The fear.. the waiting.. the unknown...can grow into a dark and foreboding storm cloud. You can find yourself easily being overtaken by an insatiable urge to do something..anything..blindly driven by the feeling that motion is progress.

In reality, the most important thing is staying positive and staying on the path God has for you. I love this quote by Yogi Berra, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up somewhere else” You have a whole team here at Lifeline to help you keep you eyes, your heart, and your head on the Promiseland and not on the tumble weeds. If you get to a place where you feel so frustrated that you are going to burst if you don’t do something..do this..call me.

I can’t control our government and I certainly can’t control another country’s government.. but I can answer questions, remind you of God’s big picture in adoption, and pray with you! I won’t minimize or trivialize the frustration or even the pain you are experiencing as you wrestle with the unscheduled wait or the latest unknown. I will gently encourage you and keep you facing forward, so even if you fall its in the right direction. We have a whole team that’s got your back!

In closing, remember this..There will come a day when your rescued child will mature, setting aside the glitter and eye candy, so prevalent in America. They will look you in the eyes and ask you to tell them of the journey you made, the sacrifices you endured, the obstacles you had to overcome. They will discover that Heroes are not made on the “gotcha day” ..they are forged on the waiting days, the unknown days, the difficult and almost impossible days. And you will realize, as you have so many times along the way, the journey is worth it! Yes, there is a wilderness.. but looking into the eyes of your adopted child, you know there is a Promiseland!

Dave Wood
International Director