Two Years with Emerson

On June 23, 2010 the Dummier family will celebrate two years with Emerson Laing Ru. She was adopted from China on June 23, 2008. I am an International Social Worker at Lifeline and have the honor of working with China and our medical special needs program.

The following was written on our family blog on the day that we received Emerson and the day that we toured her orphanage. She was labeled “medical special needs” due to a cleft lip and palate, but the Lord has taught me through these two years that we all have special needs, some are just more visible than others. How grateful we are that we stepped out on faith that God had this under control and if we trusted in him that his path would be revealed and we would be the one getting the blessing. Emerson is now a thriving almost 4 year old little girl. She has her parents firmly wrapped around her finger and her brother’s constant protection. More than that we know that God loves her and someday she will understand that He loves her more than her earthly parents ever can or could. May God continue to get the glory for this little life that we have had the honor of seeing her blossom. I can not say that adoption has always been easy, but we as her parents are forever changed and that has been a wonderful transformation as well.


From our blog…

Emerson Day...
June 23, 2008
We left for the airport in Beijing today at 7:15am and took a 10:15am flight to Guangzhou, China. We were up early and excited about the day. We got to the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou around 2:15pm, and left the hotel at 2:45pm for the Civil Affairs Office.

When we got to the Civil Affairs office we had to show some I.D. and our TA approval. We are travelling with two other couples. It was an amazing time seeing all of the children who were meeting their families for the first time.

Emerson, or how she answers best, Ruru, is asleep now, sucking on her two fingers. She is quite the trooper and reminds me of some other little boy from years not so long ago. She is a stoic little soul and for now keeps her own counsel. However, we did see her laugh so when things settle she will add great joy to the other pearls of laughter that seem to surround us in our lives.

The bedlam we faced on the 8th floor of the Civil Affairs was akin to a market in a small village. Everywhere you turned couples were being united with their child or baby amidst the shouting of parents and staff to do that or this, it was hot and loud, but one by one the children emerged from behind a curtain, led by their caretaker towards their new parents and a new life. In a way it was kin to child birth, a lot of yelling, tears, pain, snapping of photos, but all having a joyous feeling that this little baby or child was yours.

Emerson Ru, did not shed a tear but sat quietly while her mother held her, afraid I think if she let her go it all would disappear. She smiled several times and giggled when we chased her around, and was quiet all the way to the hotel. But with all children, there is a calm and then there is a storm, Miss Ru did not disappoint. There went dinner and there went us going into the “Oh my God, they let us take her out of here!” At least for me, Amy does a better job of it.

So as we lay our heads down to sleep, as you all raise yours to go about the busy day, our world, our family, our friends, just got a little brighter and that is a beautiful thing. We thank God.

Dongguan CWI
June 29, 2008
It is Sunday afternoon here, and to those of you who have been following this odyssey it is, say it with me, "it is raining!” Yes I too was surprised, and to add to the forecast it is hot. Today we visited Emerson’s orphanage. Quite the experience I must say. The good thing was it was only 1 hour away rather than 4 or 5 as some others are that are traveling with us.

Emerson’s orphanage is really nice as these things go. Apparently the city where she lived till now is wealthy and therefore the government has plenty of tax revenue to spend. This is a good thing. The city where she grew up in these many months is Dongguan. It is a city with towering buildings, expressways, five star hotels and a lot of people, though small for China’s standards. Our guide made mention that some of the people do not work here as there is so much foreign investment that the farmers lease their land to the foreign companies, draw monies for leaseholds and enjoy the good life. However, I saw plenty of people working and plenty of people who must have a different standard when it comes to defining the “Good Life”. But it was a nice city, with landscaping on and around all the major intersections and expressways, as well as shops selling the most modern conveniences.

Her orphanage lay at the end of a tree lined street, several blocks off the main thoroughfare. A guard mans the front gate which opens to a circular drive and within lies a garden with a statute of women holding a child. The front entrance reminds one of an entrance to a modern clinic or hospital. Emerson’s room was on the second floor, up the stairs and turns right. Emerson’s slept in “Baby’s room number 2.” The crib where she slept was in the middle row, middle crib, amongst 15 others. The mattress was a piece of plywood. The reasoning is that it gets so hot the wood is cooler than the mattress one would find in other cribs. Though I doubt the adults practice that at their home. No matter, as Miss Emerson was the queen of the room. Her caretaker, a very nice girl, said Emerson was her favorite child. It showed upon our arrival on the second floor. In fact she is the only other person Emerson will go to voluntarily other than us.

The second floor houses dozens of children from one to maybe three years of age. We got to see where she played, given a bath, slept and danced. Yes she is a dancer! Amy and I could not understand why she would and does start hopping around, smile and all. One room is set up like a ballet dance room. It was something neither of us expected to see. Throughout the whole visit it was an honor to see where she lived and it was depressing at the same time. You felt melancholy as you saw all those other children, sleeping or awake looking at us and some looking, though without seeing. There were children there who may never be adopted due to the severity of their conditions that may be there their entire life.

We left the orphanage with memories and photos to share with our daughter when she is older. The Director showed us out and our car and driver picked us up at the front gate. We drove away with our daughter with us. The sky that seemed only to be threatening before we arrived let loose its burden and Heaven spilled tears.
It will soon be Sunday morning at home. When you go to church today go with a simple prayer in mind, pray that all those children go home one day. Good Morning and God Bless.

Forever Changed,
Amy Dummier aka one proud mom to Emerson Laing Ru

Meet Braylon

Braylon is an adorable biracial (Caucasian/African-American) 13 month old boy who has some challenges. Braylon was born at 23 weeks and 3 days old and has been in the care of Lifeline since March 8, 2010.

He did not pass the hearing screen at birth, however he plans to get tubes in his ears on July 7, 2010 and at that time he will also have the ABR hearing test-auditory brain response, this will give us a more accurate assessment.

He also is vision impaired and has been diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. The doctor reports that it is too early to determine an accurate vision prognosis until he reaches at least three years of age.

Braylon also has been diagnosed with BPD-bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and is currently on oxygen, but there are plans to gradually begin to wean him off.

He has a hernia the size of a plum that protrudes from his naval that could potentially require surgery in the future. Braylon is currently receiving physical therapy through early intervention and they report that his performance is that of a five month old.

Please call Laura Armstrong at 205-972-8473 or email at laura.armstrong@lifelineadoption.org if you have questions about precious Braylon.

Laura Armstrong
Birth Mother and Foster Care Social Worker

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

A Walk Through the Word: God's Story of Redemption

"Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the maker of them all." Proverbs 22:2

How many times have we judged, or been judged, by the type of house we live in, or the kind of car we drive? Unfortunately, discrimination of race, status, and wealth is all around us. But isn't it great to know that regardless of how we look, or where we come from, there are 4 things that make us completely equal in God's eyes:

We were ALL made in God's image (Genesis 1:26).
We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
We have ALL been slaves to sin and are in desperate need of a Savior (Romans 6:23).
Salvation is available to us ALL (Romans 10:9 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

In the words of one of my favorites songs, by B.J. Thomas, "Though you may be a pauper or a millionaire, we all have an equal share." We can have the blessed assurance of eternal life as joint heirs with Christ, but FIRST, you must make Him Lord of your life! Friend, will you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ today, for "salvation is found in no one else" (Acts 4:12). Rich or poor, you can call on Him today!

Deanna Crist

My Heart's Desire is to Glorify His Name

My heart’s desire is to glorify His name – Isaiah 26:8

In life I find that is not always easy to do, but a verse that I desire to strive towards. I often ask myself, “How did I do today in glorifying His name?” I want to wake up in the morning and ask the Lord to live this day in me and through me so that I might glorify His name.

Good Morning to all – this is Stephanie and I have the most amazing job in the world. I am the very proud mother of two beautiful daughters via international adoption. My husband and I hope and pray to have our third daughter home within the year. Our Sasha is now a beautiful 13-year-old and she is a gift of joy! Ellianna Ya-Ting is now 5 and she is our precious baby. The little girl we have yet to bring home has turned 3.

I am passionate about orphaned children and very passionate about children with special needs. Sasha is adopted from Russia and has cerebral palsy. She was in a baby home for children with mental disabilities. What a difference a few years of love and hard work can do in a life. She is now the top of her class with the highest grades in the school. Her life is a miracle and I can say that she is now twice adopted. She has asked Jesus to live in her heart and life and He is very evident in the person she is becoming. Sasha competed in a speech meet for the schools in the area and she created a speech piece from a book entitled “Boy in Baby House 10”. It is a five-minute speech about the day Vanya is taken from the children’s orphanage and placed into an asylum home in Russia. This is a horrible, but very real place and reality for many orphaned children with special needs in Russia. The last words of Sasha’s speech make me cry every time – “This would be my life had I not been adopted.” There usually is not a dry eye in the room after she completes that last line. I pray that each day she will continue to seek to glorify the Lord with her life.

Ellianna is adopted from Taiwan and has multiple special needs, but what a joy to watch her grow, change, learn and love each day of life. She is so excited about life and simply enjoys whatever we do – “except needing to be in her car seat and not be able to get up and move about”! She was once a child that had no affect and may have died soon had she not been adopted. She was unable to sit, crawl, eat, chew or take notice of anything in her surroundings. She has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and is very delayed. She also needed multiple surgeries – eyes, teeth and bowels. What a gift she is to so many. The Lord is blessing her with healing and she is no longer that shy and scared little girl with no abilities. After two years of love and proper care she is now learning to swim, walk and talk. These are all things she was thought to never do. She has a smile that lights up the room and melts a heart. Her neurologist is even starting to take her off her anti-seizure medicine. Something we were told that would never happen by the type of seizure she was seen to have on her EEGs. She is a miracle and continues to be a miracle in progress each day I watch her life. What an honor to be called by the Lord to be Ellianna’s mother.

I know that the little girl with multiple special needs that we are working to adopt will is also a miracle of the Lord. She appears to many to be nothing but an orphan that needs to be cared for daily – a burden with no value! To my husband and I she is our daughter and she has within her so many beautiful abilities and talents. The Lord created her and He calls us to care for her. I cannot wait to watch her life blossom!

The Lord calls for all His children to care for the orphans and the widows – James 1:27. This means that for some He calls us to adopt these precious children and for some He calls to pray or provide financially for someone else that is called to adopt. He calls us all to do something about these children. I am very passionate about my life as the very blessed mother of my precious daughters. I believe that the Lord has called me to be a voice for the voiceless.

I am crying out for the children that cross my desk and computer screen everyday. I am crying out to the Lord to bring the families of the children that I see. I work for Lifeline as an International Adoptions Specialist and am developing programs in countries that we sense the Lord calling us to. The Bulgaria program is very new to Lifeline but the Lord has opened the door and placed this program with Lifeline. There are so many children that need homes. They need to know the love of Jesus through a family they can call their own. They need a mother that is proud of them as they learn to swim or say their first word. They need a father that is able to hug them and tell them well done! They need to know that they have a heavenly Father that loves them and created them. They are not a mistake, but a beautiful gift of the Lord. I am honored to be able to be their voice and advocate. I have 15 new waiting children that I am working to get on Lifeline’s Bulgaria Waiting Children Page. They all cry out to me. I work on each document as I pray for their future family. If you think you might be their family please check out the Lifeline web site and click on Bulgaria. If you have ever thought that the Lord might be calling you to adopt and/or if you sense the Lord leading you to adopt a special needs child rather than a “healthy” child and need a place to voice your fears or to be heard please feel free to call on me.

It would be an honor and a blessing to talk with you and to share in your life. I pray that today I will glorify the name of the Lord in all I do, all I say, all I write and how I love. I hope that this might be a prayer for your life today as well. May we be the voice for those that have no voice!

In Christ's precious name,
Stephanie

Stephanie Carpenter
International Adoption Specialist
Lifeline Children’s Services, Inc.
Isaiah 26:8

This is my "Hello"

I am adopted.

What does that mean?

There are so many different views on adoption, and it means so many things to many people.

For the birth mother it can mean pain, loss, and sacrifice.

For the adoptive parent it can mean an addition to their family, another mouth to feed, another hand to hold, and another person to love. Finding the missing piece to their family.

For the adopted child... it means the world. And in my posts I hope to give some perspective from me, an adopted child.

I have always known that my parents were not genetically my parents. However, never once did I think that they were not "mine". They are my mom and dad, and I am their daughter, their child. I was chosen. My mom and dad did not have to be parents. They had that choice. And they chose to love me, to adopt me, to make me theirs. And this is something I am proud of. I am proud to be able to say that I am adopted. It's not something I hide, or that is a sensative subject. It is who I am. Without the loving sacrifice of my birth mother, I would not be where I am now, or who I am now. My birth mother made the hardest decision of her life, and thought of me before herself. It was not a selfish decision; however, one of the most selfless decisions that can ever be made. Never once in my life have I doubted whether or not she loved me. She showed her love for me the day she decided that she wanted me to have a life she did not feel she could provide. And I have never felt like I did not belong to my mom and dad. I am blessed to have not only a mom and dad to love and that love me, but I also have a mother to love and who loves me so much that she selflessly carried me for 9 months and gave me life.

As I give my perspective as an adopted child, I hope to share some of my experiences, thoughts, feelings, and emotions with you. I look forward to sharing how my birth mother, my parents, Lifeline, and God have given me a hope and a future.

Marie Collier
Administrative Assistant

Lifeline's First Cookbook Fundraiser

Lifeline is announcing our first EVER cookbook fundraiser! We will be selling cookbooks to raise funds for our ministry and we need your help! We are calling on Lifeline’s supporters to submit your favorite and most cherished family recipes to include in the cookbook. This will be a Lifeline cookbook, so we need recipes from everyone connected to Lifeline in order to personalize our cookbook. So, if you are interested in submitting recipes or reserving your copy, please contact Rachel at rachel.adams@lifelineadoption.org.

Walk in the Word: God's Story of Redemption

Reading Passage: 2 Samuel 24

King David had instructed that a census be taken of Israel and Judah. This stirred God's wrath, and He punished Israel with a severe plague, causing the death of seventy thousand men. But like a true shepherd, David admitted guilt of the census and asked that God's wrath be directed towards him and his family instead of the people. After three days, the Lord ended the plague and instructed him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah had a generous heart and wanted to give David anything he wanted, but David refused saying I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing (verse 24). David knew that if this gift had been accepted, it would have been Araunah's sacrifice, and not his own. He also realized that worship that costs nothing is not true worship at all.

There is always a price to pay when sin is committed. Our commitment to God is often very costly to maintain. It can cost us relationships, habits, etc. We cannot cut corners and expect Him to bless us! "He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing: nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing." - Adam Clarke.

The spiritual act of worship means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). When we begin doing this, not only will it strengthen our faith and inner peace, but it will also increase our joy. Christ spared no expense for us - let us do the same for Him.

Deanna Crist

Why we Golf...

As we prepare and anticipate the arrival of our celebrities, golfers, and volunteers today for our 5th Annual Lifeline Celebrity Classic, we remember why we golf. We golf to raise funds for children here and around the world so they may find hope in the joy of a family through the love of Christ. Each little boy and girl brought into this world is deeply loved by our God most high and we celebrate today as we have the opportunity to give for the sake of His children through the game of golf!

“But I will hope continually
And will praise you yet more and more.”
Psalm 71:14

Krisha Yanko
Development and Marketing Coordinator

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

Education Update: Excited About Adoption

Last week I had the privilege of attending a pro-life conference in Orlando, Florida, hosted by Heartbeat International. Among the keynote speakers was Pam Tebow, mother of famed football quarterback, Tim Tebow. As I sat among the hundreds of professionals and volunteers committed to taking the message of life to those most vulnerable to abortion, I was filled with joy to see Christ exalted in that room. It occurred to me that, this passion and desire to see life fulfilled, comes from the Author of life. My purpose for going to the conference was to facilitate a workshop on adoption for other attendees. So with laptop and power point in hand, I set off to my training room to share what I am surrounded by daily – adoption. The title of my workshop, “Debunking Adoption Myths for Pregnant Teens,” certainly drew interest, but it was people’s excitement about adoption that was most interesting to me. I sometimes forget that adoption is still the least popular option for women facing unplanned pregnancy, and the material that I have shared dozens of times, is still new to many.

Upon my return home, I wrapped up the week with a marathon of the program “Decisions, Choices and Options” at a local high school. My co-leader and I had been invited to present to seven different classes of ninth graders. The students, though typical teens, were attentive and even offered comments and raised questions. After the presentations, several students came up to me and proudly shared that they were adopted. As an adoptive mother, it was affirming to hear these young people announce their adoptions with pride – not with shame or loss – that we so often hear about in the world.

The whirlwind of excitement that last week brought also brought personal feelings of inadequacy. Why would anyone want to listen to me? In fact, there was nothing stunning about me or my presentations, but what captivates people, I believe, is the message of adoption itself. Truly, it is a message that is filled with hope for everyone. When we consider what adoption means, we cannot ignore that God Himself speaks of our adoption into His family through His Son, Jesus. When we turn to Christ, we have the promise that God will not leave us as orphans. May I never grow jaded to all that adoption is.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

Traci Newell
Education Coordinator

What does the Bible say about adoption?

As Christians we often like to look to Scripture as our guide. So, in terms of adoption, what does the Bible say? First, some of the most notable characters from the Bible appear to have been adopted. The Pharaoh’s family took in Moses after his mother let him go in an effort to save his life. Mordecai cared for Esther after she was orphaned.

While there are a few stories concerning adoption in the Bible, we can perhaps gain more appreciation for the idea when we consider three of Scripture’s major themes, faith, hope, and love.

Faith. Throughout life we will accumulate all kinds of things, but our faith will always be our most important possession. When parents adopt a child, they want to give him or her everything that they can. One of the most important gifts that we as Christians can give our children is insight into our faith.

Hope. If you have looked at some of the pictures of the orphanages where some of the children await adoption, things may have looked fairly hopeless. Adoption is a way to bring hope to those children who have little or no hope.

Love. Adoption is one of the greatest expressions of Christian love. Love is the basic reason for adopting a child. In all that we do, we should be motivated by love. Bringing a child into our family is one of the most loving acts that we can do. We are in a sense giving our lives to the child. We can be reminded of Jesus’ words that the greatest act of love is to give our life over for another life.

Paul, in his letters, often speaks of adoption as well. Here the idea is more of a spiritual one, concerning our relationship to God. However, these passages also seem to affirm the act of adoption as worthy because it is an act that God himself partakes in.

Here are some other passages that might be helpful in thinking about Scripture and adoption:


Proverbs 31:8,9
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."


James 1:27
27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Walk in the Word: God's Story of Redemption

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!" - Psalm 91:1-2


Last night in my quiet time with the Lord, I began reflecting on Psalm 91. As I was sitting in my room, on my comfortable bed, in my air-conditioned house, with a wonderful loving spouse and children.....I began thinking of how the Lord has truly blessed me and how often I take such blessings for granted. My mind began to question how many millions of abandoned, orphaned, or children living in foster care may never know these blessings that I so often take for granted. Some where in the world, children are sleeping two or more to a bed, and others may not have a bed at all. How many of them have never had a safe haven to go home to, or a family to love on them? It is so easy to question why some people have to suffer more than others, but I am reminded in Psalm 91 that nothing happens without God permitting it to happen. This psalm so eloquently describes the sovereign protection an Almighty God.

I remember being a child, playing outside and getting very hot out in the sun. We had a great big oak tree in our back yard where I loved to swing and climb. When I would get too hot, or just needed to rest, I would sit underneath that tree because its shadow was so great that it blocked out all sun light.........Well, how much greater is our God than that old oak tree? He is more than able to protect us for the many dangers and terrors that we face in this world. So for the millions of children worldwide who may be without a family, or bed, or a safe haven, I know they have an even greater refuge when resting in the shadow of our Most High God.

Praying YOU will find refuge,
Deanna Crist

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

A Note from the Director - A Prayer for Families in the Process

This was my prayer for the hundreds of family at our church who are following the Lord's call to adopt or foster...


"'O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!' Psalm 8

Father we dedicate the families who are waiting to adopt or who are awaiting a foster care placement.  We thank you for their faithfulness to answer the call to foster or to adopt and now we come with confidence knowing the you will equip them for the journey ahead.

We pray for them as they prepare their homes, their families, their lives, and their resources.  We pray for them as they prepare to make disciples in their homes.  Lord give them hope as they wait, give them perseverance when what they have been called to seems to become a struggle, give them boldness to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel to all those who question the call you have placed on their lives, and give them wisdom when the adversary begins to tempt them to question you!

Lord, today I pray for the extended families of these families, that you would prepare their hearts for new family members who won't look like them, won't sound like them, or who won't come from a similar background.  Father, prepare these families for the roller coasters ahead, for the changes that will come, and for the possible disappointments.

Father give them a strong resolve to weather storms ahead; and, Lord to become more committed to the call today and tomorrow and the next day, more than they were the first day!  Lord, strengthen these families as you commission them to do your work and to be your hands and feet to the orphans and foster children.

Remind these families that your heart breaks more for the orphans, than theirs ever will!  Remind them that the hope is not in America, the hope is not in their state, the hope is not in their homes, the hope is not in their families, but that the hope is found only in you and your Son, Jesus Christ - the hope of glory.

Lord may your Gospel be made known to the children who will be placed in these homes, that little boys and girls who are adopted from Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, South and Central America, North America, and from foster care will one day be the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, spreading your fame to every corner of the earth.

May the implications of physical adoption remind these families daily through the wait, and daily through raising these kids, of their spiritual adoption in Christ.  May the help for these families come from you, a God that neither slumbers nor sleeps.  We lift our eyes to you.  Arise, O Lord, O God, lift up your hand, forget not the afflicted!  O Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth."

Beloved, will you allow God to use you to impact the life of a child? Please do not hesitate to give Lifeline a call because we are here...

On behalf of the orphans.

Herbie Newell

Executive Director

Lifeline Children's Services

giving children a hope and a future

twitter: @hmnewell

Uganda Update

We have been informed today that the Vice Consul in Uganda intends to begin issuing visas and taking appointments for those who abide by the requirements for an IR4 legal guardianship visa outlined in Department of State’s announcement of April 15. Again, no legal guardianship visas have been issued, but the Embassy in Kampala has given verbal confirmation that this announcement from the State Department is sufficient to resume visa issuance for families with the correct documentation and the appropriate wording in their court orders.

Uganda Update

On April 15, 2010, the United States Department of State issued a statement clarifying the requirements to be granted an IR4 visa to bring a child to the US under a legal guardianship. If a family has met the outlined qualifications for an IR4 legal guardianship visa, it can be assumed that the Consul will resume IR4 visa issuance in Uganda. No families have yet received an IR4 visa after this announcement; however no families have been denied after this announcement. When a family receives an IR4 immigrant visa, we can be sure that the issues have been completely resolved.

http://adoption.state.gov/news/uganda.html

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

Upcoming Adoption Training

On Tuesday, April 20th, Lifeline will be leading an adoption training titled, “How to Talk about Adoption,” for employees and volunteers of crisis pregnancy centers throughout the state. Lifeline’s partnership with these centers over the years has been an invaluable part of our ministry to birth mothers. Many times, young women who have gone to such centers for counseling have been referred to Lifeline to make an adoption plan. By offering adoption education to those who may be the birth mother’s first point of contact, we hope to diminish fears of discussing adoption with clients for whom parenting may not be the best choice.

“How to Talk about Adoption” will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Fellowship Hall C. Registration will begin at 9:45, and the training will last from 10:00 until 3:00. Lunch will be served. Social work and nursing CEUs are available. If interested in attending the training, please contact Traci Newell, Education Coordinator, at traci.newell@lifelineadoption.org or 205-972-8467.

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

A Note from the Director - Easter is not about comfort

“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6

Comfort. That word has been a word that I have been ruminating on quite a bit lately. As I returned to the United States from our recent trips to Liberia and Hungary – I found myself captured once again with the comfort of home; the comfort of a country; the comfort of a language, a food, a people that you know; the comfort in a clean warm shower; the comfort in clean water…

As I think even now on “comfort” my mind goes not to my easy chair at home, but the lack of comfort of our brothers and sisters who will meet in secret in Asia in just mere hours to worship a risen savior – risking limb and life to gather in community, to gather in worship.

As I think of “comfort” my mind goes to my brothers and sisters in Liberia who will rise tomorrow from a slumber after a 110 heat indexed night in electricity-less homes, will drive on dirt roads to fan out and gather tomorrow in “comfortless” churches to worship a risen savior. I pray for the strength of Augustine, Wonderful, Destinee, Ben, Edwina, and all of the Youth for Christ Liberia staff as they praise God not for their “comforts”, but for their salvation and His glory.

As I think of “comfort” I think of the 143 million orphans in our world – whether in US foster care, in orphanages overseas, on the streets, or squatting in abandoned buildings. My mind is immediately drawn to the 3 year old little girl, the same age as my daughter, who reached out her dirty, dusty, and tiny hand to be held while I visited her orphanage in Liberia. Her belly was howling for food, her heart begging for loving touch, and her eyes were telling a story of rejection - far from "comfort."

If we are believers in Jesus Christ then why are we drawn to “comfort?” As we look to Easter, the most important time of the year for believers, we look to a God who sent His Son Jesus, not to be comfortable, but to seek and save that which was lost. As Isaiah says, “He was wounded… He was crushed… Upon Him was chastisement.” These words don’t necessarily indicate comfort; they aren’t words that give the connotation of “safety.”

To save, rescue, and reach orphans God does not call us to be comfortable, but to go through the lack of some comfort. I have spoken with several families over the years who were called to adopt older children. They have poured out their hearts as they detail the pain and hardship their families experience as their new child has wreaked havoc upon their home and their other children. While this process is usually short lived as the child acclimates to their home and tests the boundaries and depth of love, it is still not without its "lack" of comfort.

To save, rescue, and reach orphans many times means entering into hostile lands or parts of our world that know nothing but poverty, it many times means leaving behind the modern “comfort” of home, and many times if called to adopt it means risking the “comfort” of your family and spending the “comfort” of your vacation time to spend weeks in another land.

Rejoice today beloved that Jesus was willing to risk all “comfort” for our sake…

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

As ambassador for Christ, join Lifeline as we risk our “comfort” for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and making him known to the more than 143 million orphans of the world. This Easter may we celebrate, not for ourselves, our salvation, nor our “comfort,” but in the power of salvation to reach the lost and lonely of our world. Will you be an ambassador of Christ for an orphan this Easter?

Partner with Lifeline today. Visit LifelineAdoption.org today to donate to the cause, to apply to adopt, to sign up for a trip through our unadopted.org ministry and visit orphans in need, to apply to be a foster parents for a child in US foster care, or to volunteer in one of many ways for the sake of orphans.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8

Oh beloved, will you allow God to use you to impact the life of a child? Please do not hesitate to give Lifeline a call because we are here...

On behalf of the orphans.

Herbie Newell
Executive Director
Lifeline Children's Services
giving children a hope and a future
twitter: @hmnewell

Walk in The Word: God's Story of Redemption

Bible Study 3/29/10
Reading Passages: Joshua, chapters 3-24

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

All throughout the Bible, there are examples of how the Lord uses the most common, ordinary people to carry out His will. In fact, Jesus' hand-picked disciples included a thief, tax collector, and fishermen. They were just ordinary men who the Lord used to do extraordinary things. In the book of Joshua, we read again how the Lord used a pagan prostitute named Rahab to bring about His promises. Through her faith, she risked her own life to hide the two spies. Later, through her marriage to man named Salmon, she became a direct descendant of Jesus Christ. From a prostitue to the lineage of the Messiah - that's what faith can do!

No matter who you are, or what your past is, the Lord can use YOU for His glory........IF you are willing! You see, the only thing special about Rahab, or the twelve disciples, is the One who called them. Are YOU willing to serve the Lord? Are YOU willing to be obedient to His calling? There is an immense inheritance waiting on those who follow Him.

Faithfully His,
Deanna Crist

Walk in The Word: God's Story of Redemption

Bible Study 3/22/10
Reading Passages: Deuteronomy (chapters 16-34); Joshua (chapters 1-2); Psalm 105

"The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Deut. 26:16

Just before his death, Moses delivered his last speech to the people of Israel, naming both blessings and curses for their actions. For the Israelites to receive the many blessings, they were only required to do one thing in return: they must follow the covenant agreement set for them. The Old Testament law gives many laws and regulations, but Deuteronomy makes it clear that the law was meant to penetrate a person's heart. In order for us to have a true heart change, the law has to become part of our inner attitude. When the Lord asks for obedience, it should be based on love, and not a sense of duty.

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." (Proverbs 27:19)

My prayer for you today is that you will be filled with the joy of living an abundant life that Jesus Christ so freely offers! Let us begin by allowing our hearts to be molded by Him.

Eternally changed,
Deanna Crist

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

UGANDA NOTICE

From now on, we will communicate our Uganda updates directly through email correspondence with Lifeline families rather than publicly on our blog for the protection of all families in process in Uganda.

We advise prayer and patience with the US Embassy during this time, as they seek to be both thorough and upstanding. We continue to be thankful for the progress that has been made in Uganda thus far.

Every blessing,

Claire Davis, LGSW
International Social Worker

Walk in The Word: God's Story of Redemption

Bible Study 3/8/10
Reading Passages: Numbers (chapters 6-28); Psalm 90; Psalm 95

In Numbers chapter 13, the Lord had commanded Moses to send 12 men to explore the land of Canaan, and then report back. Upon their return, 10 of the men gave very negative, discouraging reports. Although they found the land to be as great as the Lord had described, they were fearful of the giants living in the land, too big and strong to conquer. Even after witnessing first hand the miracles by God, the people still distrusted God's power and promise....all except for two men. One of these, Caleb, told the people "we should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." It was he who encouraged them to go forwarded, and then seconded by Joshua.

How many times do we stand in the way of God's promises by our own doubts? Unbelief causes us to overlook God's power - it magnifies every danger and fills our heart with discouragement, allowing Satan a foot hold in our lives. Are we missing out on God's promises and eternal truth's because of worry and fear? We are not promised that this life would be easy, but our difficulties can be greatly diminshed through a live, active faith in Jesus Christ. All things are possible in Him! Let's put our our trust and faith in Him, so that just like Caleb and Joshua, we may enter into His promised land.


Bible Study 3/15/10
Reading Passages: Numbers (chapters 29-32) & Deuteronomy (chapters 1-15)

When Moses received his calling from the Lord to lead the Hebrew people from slavery, he was marked by a reluctance to go, or to speak. But now, at 120 years old, and the last month of his life, he is now very bold and eager to speak to a new generation of people. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers 3 farewell speeches, recapping the last 40 years of God's faithfulness, despite the people's continued disobedience. God had already revealed to Moses that this older generation of disbelieving, disobedient people would not enter into the promised land. Even Moses, God's hand-picked servant, would not enter Canaan, because of the incident in Numbers chapter 20.

All throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses explained that the key to God's blessings is obedience. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deut. 6:5), which is repeated by Jesus in Matthew 22 as being the most important commandment of all. God requires and deserves our obedience! In John chapter 14, Jesus said "if you love me, you will obey what I command." This is how we can show Him our love.

Is the Lord calling you to ministry? Is He calling you to care for orphans? Is He calling you to trust in His Word and follow Him? Whatever the Lord is calling you to do, remember that God will equip you, just as He equipped Moses for leadership. "The what always precedes the how" - and God will provide a way! Let us pray for complete obedience to the Lord today - trusting Him to fulfill His promises.

Only by His grace,
Deanna Crist

Golf Reveals Your Character

Hall of Fame golf teacher Percy Boomer once said, “If you wish to hide you character, do not play golf.” Well, when it comes to golf events at Lifeline we believe the opposite—a round of golf can actually reveal how much you care about orphans around the world and giving children a hope and future. And why would you want to hide that?

So, if you desire to “reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do,” you might end up with the perfect golf swing, as golf great Ben Hogan predicted, or you can let the “adventure…romance…disaster and comedy intertwined” that is the game of golf, reveal your true character (Harold Segall). Then we have the perfect opportunities for you!


First, support Lifeline in the “Birdies for Charity” program of the Regions Charity Classic, May 12-16, 2010. We will receive every single penny of the donations generated on our behalf and you have a chance to win great prizes too when you pitch in to help us! Simply make a pledge of $0.02 or more per birdie that is made during the tournament by the Champions Tour Players, or a flat pledge of $10 or more. It is expected that 800 birdies are going to be made based on past tournaments. Also, the top ten organizations that raise the most money will receive additional funds of up to $10,000 from the Regions Charity Classic thanks to “Bonus Bucks” sponsor Sirote & Permutt.

Help us reach that goal by pledging here! The top ten pledges will receive two (2) Good-Any-Day Tickets to the tournament!

Next, join us on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 for the 5th Annual Lifeline Celebrity Classic for a day of golf and fellowship at Greystone Golf and Country Club! There are several sponsorship opportunities that will allow you put together a foursome and play a round of golf with local sports celebrities, win fabulous prizes and support the ministry of Lifeline. This is a day that our staff looks forward to every year and we hope that you can join us!

Call Laura Ogard at 205.972.8479 to find out more information!

And remember, “There are two things you can do with your head down—play golf and pray” Lee Trevino.

Laura Ogard
Development & Marketing Coordinator

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

ACT NOW: Families for Orphans Act

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is considering the Families for Orphans Act today. They will soon make a decision whether this bill is to move forward. National Council For Adoption expressed their support for this bill in a recent Adoption Advocate Publication: NCFA Supports the Families for Orphans Act.

Please fax and e-mail letters that state your organization is in favor of the Families for Orphans Act. Tell them who your organization is and who you represent. Mention why you think it is important for orphans to have families. Tell them your organization supports this bill and request that they support it as well.

Letters should be addressed to:
The Honorable John F. Kerry, Chairman
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Fax to Kerry’s office 202-228-3612 and e mail copies to Laura Winthrop Laura_Winthrop@foreign.senate.gov his staffer handling the issue and

Fax 202-224-0836 to Paul Foldi Paul_Foldi@foreign.senate.gov – Senator Lugar’s staffer handling the issue on the Committee for the minority.

Please also copy Senator Mary Landrieu and Senator James Inhofe so they know supporters are writing in.

E-mail those copies to Jetaine Hart Jetaine_hart@landrieu.senate.gov and Nathan Reese nathan_reese@inhofe.senate.gov

Please act today to take a stance on this important legislation.

The Destiny of the Damaged

“NO, she couldn’t stay in my home; do you know what kind of life she’s led?” “Absolutely not, he’s damaged; didn’t you hear what he did?” “I can’t parent a kid from foster care; they are all just too bad”. The damaged orphan, the child who many feel doesn’t need another opportunity for a stable, permanent home - a chance to have a new life with loving parents. Are theses children just too far gone to help?

In Jericho, there lived an Amorite woman whom many believed to be despicable and damaged. The iniquity of the Amorites stands out among a list of other cultures that inhabited Jericho in Genesis 15:18-19. Not only was this woman an Amorite, she was a prostitute. It would be fair to say that in that time period, an Amorite prostitute would have been considered one of the most damaged, worthless people of society.

However, a divine meeting with two of God’s people would change her life forever. Through Joshua, God sends two of his people to the Amorite women. We read in Joshua Chapter 2 that this woman had already heard of the works of God; this is what she says,

"For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."

The two men made a promise with the woman that they would come to her and save her in her time of need. The Bible tells of God’s people coming to Rahab:

“Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the harlot's house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her." So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel. Rahab the harlot and her father's household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. (Joshua 2:22;23;25)

The Word of God went before God’s people to this Amorite woman in the land of Jericho, and the Holy Spirit is going before you to the heart of the orphan in foster care. As God goes before us, we MUST follow the command that he gives us in James 1:27, to look after orphans and widows in their time of distress. God’s people came to this desperate woman in her time of need and rescued her from her situation. We must also go to the troubled orphan and rescue him from his desperate situation.

Foster care workers do the best that they can, but it is impossible for them to meet the needs of 500,000 orphaned in America without God’s people. It is our responsibility to act on our Father’s calling and follow the Holy Spirit in action. Our Father is preparing the hearts of children to be plucked from their situations and be forever changed by the people who serve the “God in heaven above and on the earth beneath”.

The people of Israel took Rahab into their families, she married one of their own, Salmon, and she lived with them for the rest of her life. And once a part of God’s family, how did God see fit to use this harlot of Jericho? In Matthew 1:5-6 we learn that our Father finds her acceptable to not only become one of God’s people, but to become the mother to the godly Boaz, the great-great-grandmother to King David, and ultimately an ancestor to our Savior Jesus Christ.

If through the love of His people God can take an Amorite harlot and transform her into a righteous ancestor of Christ, how much more can He do in the life of an orphan in foster care? Is that “damaged” child, undeserving of your time or is he a child of God who, through your love, will be a testimony of faith. He has already prepared the way for you; will you follow His call?

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace Hebrews 11:30-31.

Daniel Taylor
Georgia State 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

Walk in The Word: God's Story of Redemption

Bible Study 3/1/10
Reading Passages: Leviticus (ch. 11-27) & Numbers (ch. 1-5)

Today, because of the perfect, selfless sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, we don't have to live in the world of Leviticus. Leviticus was meant to teach people some basic truths about how to be in fellowship with a Holy God. Thanks to his years as a Pharisee, Paul knew Moses' law well and never recommended discarding the law. It reveals a basic code of morality, an expression of behavior that pleases God. The law is good for one thing - exposing sin. The law has one major problem: After proving how bad you are, it doesn't make you any better. The law, or old covenant, was insufficient to save...But there is great news! The book of Hebrews, which was written to encourage Jewish Christians, explains that we now have a permanent high priest in Jesus Christ. And through His perfect, atoning blood, He made the sacrifice of animals unnecessary. Jesus is able to cleanse the real source of contamination - our sinful nature. As Hebrews points out, Jesus entered the inner room on our behalf (6:20). And when He died, the curtain ripped in two, allowing anyone direct access to God. The great high priest, Christ Himself, has changed the old system forever.

Praying that you will be encouraged today with The Good News!
Deanna Crist

Birth Mother Mentors

Last Saturday was Lifeline’s first ever Birth Mother Mentor training. Around ten o’clock that morning, a dozen or so of us filed into a room complete with beautiful tables, candies, notebooks and pens, ready to learn about “the birth mother”. That term means different things to different people; for some, she is the person who carried them for nine months, for others, she is the lady in the grocery store who is “due any day”, and yet, for adoptive children and families, she is the unsung hero – the person God uses to bring lives and families into existence. For me, she is the face of my children (yes, I am an adoptive mother of two daughters and could not wear that banner without their birth mothers.)

I am convinced that God “sees” the birth mother. Perhaps her struggle is unique from anyone else’s. Remember Hagar, birth mother of Ishmael? We can learn about her in Genesis, chapter 16. When pregnant and mistreated by her mistress, she fled to the desert and sought refuge by a spring. The angel of the Lord found her there and comforted her with His words; in response, she said “You are the God who sees me.” God has indeed looked down and seen the birth mothers who have sought refuge at Lifeline. He has provided safety, food, clothing and loving house parents for hundreds of birth mothers who have lived at our maternity home. He has placed Christian counselors on staff in the lives of birth mothers who have needed to hear about His Son’s sacrifice for them and their children, and now it seems He is providing mentors to walk alongside our birth mothers and minister to their physical and emotional needs.

We look forward to what God can do through the mentors of these birth mothers. Although adoption has great gains for all those involved, it is a difficult decision for the birth mother and is one accompanied by loss for her. For those birth mothers without a support system in place, our mentors can fill in the gaps and remind them of the selfless decision they are making through adoption. Please pray for the birth mother who, like Hagar, may feel hopeless and alone but may one day be able to say: “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)

For more information on becoming a birth mother mentor, contact Traci at traci.newell@lifelineadoption.org.

Traci Newell
Education Coordinator