Tuesday, November 24, 2009
UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
I've changed the link on the Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children since it can't be accessed from the link to the original site. You should be able to get to it from either of the posts now.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
Yesterday in New York, on the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the UN accepted a resolution on the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
I have very mixed feelings about this resolution. While it has the potential to encourage countries to improve their care of children who are unparented or in danger of being unparented, it also clearly does not support adoption as one of the solutions to providing children in need with a family environment in which to be raised.
If you had any doubts about the stance UNICEF, which is the United Nations Children's Fund (formerly United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), has taken on adoption, you need to read the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
Here is a brief excerpt regarding what the guidelines seek to do:
"Support efforts to keep children in, or return them to, the care of their family or, failing this, to find another appropriate and permanent solution, including adoption..."
Throughout the resolution, adoption is mentioned very little as a viable alternative care method, and statements like the following show the priority given to children remaining in their country of origin over international adoption:
"Care within a child’s own community, including fostering, should be encouraged, as it provides continuity in socialization and development"
"Children in emergency situations should not be moved to a country other than that of their habitual residence for alternative care except temporarily for compelling health, medical or safety reasons. In that case, this should be as close as possible to their home, they should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver known to the child, and a clear return plan should be established."
A general read of entire document makes it clear that adoption isn't really on the UN's list of alternative forms of care that should be considered for a child. Throughout the 34 page document, it is clear that the primary goal is to keep children in or return them to the care of their birth family, regardless of whether of not that would be in the best interests of the child for his/her "full and harmonious development." The resolution even encourages supporting minors in parenting younger siblings and providing parenting programs for minors so that they will not consider relinquishing their children.
Here are excerpts regarding these two situations:
"Support and services should be available to siblings who have lost their parents or
caregivers and choose to remain together in their household, to the extent that the eldest sibling is both willing and deemed capable of acting as the household head."
"States are encouraged to adopt measures for the integral protection and guarantee of rights during pregnancy, birth and the breastfeeding period, in order to ensure conditions of dignity and equality for the adequate development of the pregnancy and care of the child. Therefore, support programmes should be provided to future mothers and fathers, particulary adolescent parents, who have difficulties in exercising their parental responsibilities. Such programmes should aim at empowering mothers and fathers to exercise their parental responsibilities in conditions of dignity, and at avoiding their being induced to surrender their child because of their vulnerability."
I'm not going to argue that a minor parenting his/her younger siblings would never be a viable alternative care option or that minors who choose to parent should not be given support. However, I do have to question why the UN supports minors parenting minors, but does not encourage adoption as an alternative care option. It's clear from reading this resolution that adoption is not supported by the UN. Not being willing to say this publicly for fear of the backlash, they slip in the mention of adoption as a permanent care solution but then never mention the circumstances under which adoption would be a positive solution, much less how adoption should be supported as an alternative care solution.
Those in the US who support adoption need to speak out about the UN's lack of support for adoption as an alternative care solution for children who are unparented. Contact your legislators. Contact the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Contact the UN. Contact your local media. Contact the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Contact the JCICS. Contact Hope for Orphans.
Feel free to send them this post or some of the information in this post, along with a link to the UN Guidelines so they can research the information themselves. If we continue to sit back and talk about the importance of adoption but do nothing to protect the rights of children to be adopted, we may soon find we have wasted our energies.
I have very mixed feelings about this resolution. While it has the potential to encourage countries to improve their care of children who are unparented or in danger of being unparented, it also clearly does not support adoption as one of the solutions to providing children in need with a family environment in which to be raised.
If you had any doubts about the stance UNICEF, which is the United Nations Children's Fund (formerly United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), has taken on adoption, you need to read the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
Here is a brief excerpt regarding what the guidelines seek to do:
"Support efforts to keep children in, or return them to, the care of their family or, failing this, to find another appropriate and permanent solution, including adoption..."
Throughout the resolution, adoption is mentioned very little as a viable alternative care method, and statements like the following show the priority given to children remaining in their country of origin over international adoption:
"Care within a child’s own community, including fostering, should be encouraged, as it provides continuity in socialization and development"
"Children in emergency situations should not be moved to a country other than that of their habitual residence for alternative care except temporarily for compelling health, medical or safety reasons. In that case, this should be as close as possible to their home, they should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver known to the child, and a clear return plan should be established."
A general read of entire document makes it clear that adoption isn't really on the UN's list of alternative forms of care that should be considered for a child. Throughout the 34 page document, it is clear that the primary goal is to keep children in or return them to the care of their birth family, regardless of whether of not that would be in the best interests of the child for his/her "full and harmonious development." The resolution even encourages supporting minors in parenting younger siblings and providing parenting programs for minors so that they will not consider relinquishing their children.
Here are excerpts regarding these two situations:
"Support and services should be available to siblings who have lost their parents or
caregivers and choose to remain together in their household, to the extent that the eldest sibling is both willing and deemed capable of acting as the household head."
"States are encouraged to adopt measures for the integral protection and guarantee of rights during pregnancy, birth and the breastfeeding period, in order to ensure conditions of dignity and equality for the adequate development of the pregnancy and care of the child. Therefore, support programmes should be provided to future mothers and fathers, particulary adolescent parents, who have difficulties in exercising their parental responsibilities. Such programmes should aim at empowering mothers and fathers to exercise their parental responsibilities in conditions of dignity, and at avoiding their being induced to surrender their child because of their vulnerability."
I'm not going to argue that a minor parenting his/her younger siblings would never be a viable alternative care option or that minors who choose to parent should not be given support. However, I do have to question why the UN supports minors parenting minors, but does not encourage adoption as an alternative care option. It's clear from reading this resolution that adoption is not supported by the UN. Not being willing to say this publicly for fear of the backlash, they slip in the mention of adoption as a permanent care solution but then never mention the circumstances under which adoption would be a positive solution, much less how adoption should be supported as an alternative care solution.
Those in the US who support adoption need to speak out about the UN's lack of support for adoption as an alternative care solution for children who are unparented. Contact your legislators. Contact the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Contact the UN. Contact your local media. Contact the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Contact the JCICS. Contact Hope for Orphans.
Feel free to send them this post or some of the information in this post, along with a link to the UN Guidelines so they can research the information themselves. If we continue to sit back and talk about the importance of adoption but do nothing to protect the rights of children to be adopted, we may soon find we have wasted our energies.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Real Problem with Liberian Adoptions
After eleven months of praying, lobbying, researching, meeting, writing and yes, even begging to realize an end to the moratorium on adoptions in Liberia, we aren't quite there yet. Many people ask me, "When? When will it end?" or sometimes on more desperate days, "Will it end?"
I still don't have the answer. I hope it will end. I believe it will end. On optimistic days I believe the Liberian legislature will revise and pass a strong Children's bill by early spring, maybe even late winter and adoptions will start moving forward sometime soon after. I don't know what the future of adoptions will look like at that point. They will be different, for sure. Hopefully, better. Hopefully there will be more protections for children, adoptive families and birth families that don't hinder any children who need families from being adopted.
What I do know is that this whole process of coming up with useful revisions to adoption policies has been delayed because the focus has been placed on the wrong issue. The claim that international adoptions are a form of child trafficking has forced everyone in the debate to expend a lot of energy on the wrong issue.
The real problem with Liberian adoptions that I believe is finally starting to be addressed is the problem of disruptions. Adoption agencies along with all other parties involved in the adoption process have not done enough in the past to prepare families for the challenges that come with most international adoptions, Liberian adoptions in particular. There was also not enough done to properly match children and adoptive parents or to educate birth families about their decision to relinquish a child for adoption.
My hope is that these issues will be the ones that are addressed before adoptions are allowed to open up again. Here is a video with more of my thoughts on this issue:
">Preventing Disruptions
If you are an adoptive parent who is waiting to bring home your child from Liberia, I cannot encourage you enough to educate yourself while you are waiting. I know it's hard to do this when you're afraid to even hope that your child will someday really come home. Still, you need to understand that no matter how hard the waiting seems, there will be some harder days when your child comes home and s/he needs your help to heal. This is your time to prepare for those days.
I still don't have the answer. I hope it will end. I believe it will end. On optimistic days I believe the Liberian legislature will revise and pass a strong Children's bill by early spring, maybe even late winter and adoptions will start moving forward sometime soon after. I don't know what the future of adoptions will look like at that point. They will be different, for sure. Hopefully, better. Hopefully there will be more protections for children, adoptive families and birth families that don't hinder any children who need families from being adopted.
What I do know is that this whole process of coming up with useful revisions to adoption policies has been delayed because the focus has been placed on the wrong issue. The claim that international adoptions are a form of child trafficking has forced everyone in the debate to expend a lot of energy on the wrong issue.
The real problem with Liberian adoptions that I believe is finally starting to be addressed is the problem of disruptions. Adoption agencies along with all other parties involved in the adoption process have not done enough in the past to prepare families for the challenges that come with most international adoptions, Liberian adoptions in particular. There was also not enough done to properly match children and adoptive parents or to educate birth families about their decision to relinquish a child for adoption.
My hope is that these issues will be the ones that are addressed before adoptions are allowed to open up again. Here is a video with more of my thoughts on this issue:
">Preventing Disruptions
If you are an adoptive parent who is waiting to bring home your child from Liberia, I cannot encourage you enough to educate yourself while you are waiting. I know it's hard to do this when you're afraid to even hope that your child will someday really come home. Still, you need to understand that no matter how hard the waiting seems, there will be some harder days when your child comes home and s/he needs your help to heal. This is your time to prepare for those days.
Symposium on the Children's Bill Update
As many of you know, a symposium on the Children's Bill that has past in the
House of Representatives and is waiting on a vote in the Senate was held
November 13th. The goal of the symposium was to bring together all those who
have a stake in making sure that the rights of children in Liberia are being
advanced (ie. President Sirleaf, legislators, child welfare advocates, NGO's
that work with children, government officials and members of the court system)
to work on the proposed bill and revise it, so it is ready for a vote by the
Senate when they reconvene in January.
I will share with you what I feel were the positive and negative outcomes of the
symposium, but I would also encourage you to view the Children's bill and the
report on the symposium for yourselves:
Children's Bill Draft
Symposium Report
Positive Outcomes:
The fact that the symposium was planned and executed by Liberians is the most
positive outcome of the event in my opinion. The many years of war and a history
of living under a patronage system of government left many Liberians with the
expectation that they needed and would be rescued and provided for by countries
and humanitarians outside of Liberia's borders. While some assistance is
required, most people who have been involved in Liberia's rebuilding agree that
Liberia will never prosper until its own people lead the way in the process.
This symposium was one more step forward on that path.
The symposium reminded the people of Liberia that there is still a need to pass
the Children's Bill, and not only pass it, but ensure that it fulfills its
intended purpose...to protect the rights of Liberian children.
The symposium also revealed an important fact about the Children's bill...it was
not written by Liberians with Liberian culture in mind. It was primarily written
by international partners who would like to implement a global standard of care for children. Though the intent to raise the bar on standards of care is a worthy one, large organizations like this seem blind to their own social constructs when they write policies that at best are not useful in a country like Liberia and at worst cause further damage.
A good number of possible revisions to the bill were proposed.
Negative Outcomes:
Some influential leaders in Liberia spoke out against the symposium before it
began and encouraged senators and government officials not to take part in the
event, claiming that the organizers were guilty of sedition for their attempt to
gather and discuss possible revisions to the bill. The fact that a claim like
this would even be made in a democracy is disturbing. The fact that many
senators and officials did not attend the event because it was so politicized is
disheartening.
The goal of strengthening the Children's bill so that it will truly do what it
is intended to do in protecting the rights of Liberian children was not met. The
good news is that there is still time for legislators to come together and
fulfill this goal before the bill is passed.
So, in the end, the symposium was not the magic bullet anyone was hoping it
would be, but it was one more shot in the right direction.
House of Representatives and is waiting on a vote in the Senate was held
November 13th. The goal of the symposium was to bring together all those who
have a stake in making sure that the rights of children in Liberia are being
advanced (ie. President Sirleaf, legislators, child welfare advocates, NGO's
that work with children, government officials and members of the court system)
to work on the proposed bill and revise it, so it is ready for a vote by the
Senate when they reconvene in January.
I will share with you what I feel were the positive and negative outcomes of the
symposium, but I would also encourage you to view the Children's bill and the
report on the symposium for yourselves:
Children's Bill Draft
Symposium Report
Positive Outcomes:
The fact that the symposium was planned and executed by Liberians is the most
positive outcome of the event in my opinion. The many years of war and a history
of living under a patronage system of government left many Liberians with the
expectation that they needed and would be rescued and provided for by countries
and humanitarians outside of Liberia's borders. While some assistance is
required, most people who have been involved in Liberia's rebuilding agree that
Liberia will never prosper until its own people lead the way in the process.
This symposium was one more step forward on that path.
The symposium reminded the people of Liberia that there is still a need to pass
the Children's Bill, and not only pass it, but ensure that it fulfills its
intended purpose...to protect the rights of Liberian children.
The symposium also revealed an important fact about the Children's bill...it was
not written by Liberians with Liberian culture in mind. It was primarily written
by international partners who would like to implement a global standard of care for children. Though the intent to raise the bar on standards of care is a worthy one, large organizations like this seem blind to their own social constructs when they write policies that at best are not useful in a country like Liberia and at worst cause further damage.
A good number of possible revisions to the bill were proposed.
Negative Outcomes:
Some influential leaders in Liberia spoke out against the symposium before it
began and encouraged senators and government officials not to take part in the
event, claiming that the organizers were guilty of sedition for their attempt to
gather and discuss possible revisions to the bill. The fact that a claim like
this would even be made in a democracy is disturbing. The fact that many
senators and officials did not attend the event because it was so politicized is
disheartening.
The goal of strengthening the Children's bill so that it will truly do what it
is intended to do in protecting the rights of Liberian children was not met. The
good news is that there is still time for legislators to come together and
fulfill this goal before the bill is passed.
So, in the end, the symposium was not the magic bullet anyone was hoping it
would be, but it was one more shot in the right direction.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Adoptions in Liberia Update
Though it was confirmed by the Joint Council in the US and the Ministry of Health in Liberia several weeks ago that Liberian adoptions with court decrees before January 26, 2009 and special needs adoptions were going to be processed, I don’t believe any have been completed at this time. It’s my understanding that at least one agency paid $500 per adoption for new case histories, a requirement the MOH gave to process the adoptions to completion. However, I don’t believe any of these adoptions have gotten the necessary exit clearances for the children to leave Liberia yet. Other agencies, including Christian Adoption Services were told weeks ago that our cases would be processed soon, but no progress has been made. It is my understanding from our director in Liberia that the general opinion in Liberia is that adoptions will not be processed until President Sirleaf completely lifts the ban, which many believe will not happen until after the Children’s bill is passed.
The symposium to address the Children’s bill and work on revisions is set to begin tomorrow, November 13th, and continue through Saturday. Much work has been done to prepare for the symposium, and many Liberians who are involved in addressing the needs of children will be in attendance. Please pray for the event, especially that God would move in the hearts of the people of Liberia to ensure that their children are well cared for and that the symposium participants would humbly work together to enact wise laws.
The symposium to address the Children’s bill and work on revisions is set to begin tomorrow, November 13th, and continue through Saturday. Much work has been done to prepare for the symposium, and many Liberians who are involved in addressing the needs of children will be in attendance. Please pray for the event, especially that God would move in the hearts of the people of Liberia to ensure that their children are well cared for and that the symposium participants would humbly work together to enact wise laws.
Being Sure of What We Hope for and Certain of What We Do Not See
I’d appreciate some prayers for our family who seems to be hobbling along with health issues this year. I’ve hesitated to blog about it because we really have so much to be thankful for, and I sense a whiny baby spirit in myself these days that frustrates me. Still, I do believe there’s a spiritual component to all that is going on that is directly tied to our involvement in Liberia. In that respect, I know it is wise to ask for believers to pray with us that God would strengthen and protect us from the evil one.
We are generally a healthy family but in the past year we have had health concerns for everyone except Henry and Kayla. Just as a recap…
Angelyn’s appendix ruptured in August, and she was quite septic by the time it was diagnosed, so she spent 23 days in the hospital and still has daily dressing changes on her wound. Thankfully, she has almost healed, but she will probably need an additional small procedure sometime in the future to reduce the size of her scar.
Zane has been sick for about 10 months this year. He had mono the first six months, the flu with a high fever for a week in July, a chronic sinus infection for over two months, the swine flu, and now some unexplained problem that leaves him with a constant sore throat, headache and body aches. He just started on allergy shots, and we are scheduled to see an infectious disease doctor next week.
A year ago Dan and I had some virus that left us with ear problems and continual dizziness. After eight months, I finally recovered. Dan has continued to have the dizziness and was finally told by an ENT last week that he will likely have the balance problem forever.
Right before going on the trip to Liberia in March, doctors thought I might have an appendicitis and did a CT scan. Then, in June right before leaving for Liberia again, I discovered a lump and had to have a diagnostic mammogram. Thankfully, nothing much came of these issues (other than bills for the tests). I also had swine flu along with Zane and Henry a couple of weeks ago.
Throughout the year, I’ve definitely had moments of discouragement, but they’ve also been coupled with the strong reassurance that God is good and we’re all going to be victorious in Christ through this. However, recently, I’ve been feeling downright depressed. I think there are several factors involved. I tend to function pretty well in crisis mode, and I was living there a good part of the year with everything that’s gone on in Liberia and in our family. Now that I’m back to day-to-day living and life seems to still be hard without any end to the hard in sight, I feel like I’ve hit a wall. The reality of having four kids who are close in age is also staring me in the face. With 3-4 doctors appointments a week, homework to check times 4, and all of the activities that come with 4 kids who are very social, I feel like I can’t keep it all together. I know, what mom can, right?
One of the biggest concerns for me right now is figuring out how to help Zane feel better. It really doesn’t help that he has sensory integration issues and so every feeling is intensified for him. It’s the hardest thing as a mom to have your child plead with you every day to help him feel better and not be able to do it.
I’ve been reading through Hebrews this week and just asking God to give me the kind of faith that He encourages us to have. The kind of longterm, believing without seeing, not giving up when your hopes aren’t realized in this world, focusing on Jesus no matter what kind of faith. It’s really hard. I’m asking God to remind me how to live joyfully in what feels like a desert time, and I’m thankful that this too shall pass.
We are generally a healthy family but in the past year we have had health concerns for everyone except Henry and Kayla. Just as a recap…
Angelyn’s appendix ruptured in August, and she was quite septic by the time it was diagnosed, so she spent 23 days in the hospital and still has daily dressing changes on her wound. Thankfully, she has almost healed, but she will probably need an additional small procedure sometime in the future to reduce the size of her scar.
Zane has been sick for about 10 months this year. He had mono the first six months, the flu with a high fever for a week in July, a chronic sinus infection for over two months, the swine flu, and now some unexplained problem that leaves him with a constant sore throat, headache and body aches. He just started on allergy shots, and we are scheduled to see an infectious disease doctor next week.
A year ago Dan and I had some virus that left us with ear problems and continual dizziness. After eight months, I finally recovered. Dan has continued to have the dizziness and was finally told by an ENT last week that he will likely have the balance problem forever.
Right before going on the trip to Liberia in March, doctors thought I might have an appendicitis and did a CT scan. Then, in June right before leaving for Liberia again, I discovered a lump and had to have a diagnostic mammogram. Thankfully, nothing much came of these issues (other than bills for the tests). I also had swine flu along with Zane and Henry a couple of weeks ago.
Throughout the year, I’ve definitely had moments of discouragement, but they’ve also been coupled with the strong reassurance that God is good and we’re all going to be victorious in Christ through this. However, recently, I’ve been feeling downright depressed. I think there are several factors involved. I tend to function pretty well in crisis mode, and I was living there a good part of the year with everything that’s gone on in Liberia and in our family. Now that I’m back to day-to-day living and life seems to still be hard without any end to the hard in sight, I feel like I’ve hit a wall. The reality of having four kids who are close in age is also staring me in the face. With 3-4 doctors appointments a week, homework to check times 4, and all of the activities that come with 4 kids who are very social, I feel like I can’t keep it all together. I know, what mom can, right?
One of the biggest concerns for me right now is figuring out how to help Zane feel better. It really doesn’t help that he has sensory integration issues and so every feeling is intensified for him. It’s the hardest thing as a mom to have your child plead with you every day to help him feel better and not be able to do it.
I’ve been reading through Hebrews this week and just asking God to give me the kind of faith that He encourages us to have. The kind of longterm, believing without seeing, not giving up when your hopes aren’t realized in this world, focusing on Jesus no matter what kind of faith. It’s really hard. I’m asking God to remind me how to live joyfully in what feels like a desert time, and I’m thankful that this too shall pass.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Angelyn
Last week at school Angelyn gave her testimony of how God has worked in her life to change her from old to new as Ephesians 4:22-23 talks about. It was an interesting time in helpig her prepare. There are so many paradoxes in her life.
She loves to talk about her life and share her story, but she forgets and doesn't understand so many parts of it. It was strange to stop her many times and try to clarify pieces of her story as she prepared. We talk about her past a lot, but I guess it's hard at age 9 to understand it all or remember it.
Even though she loves to talk about her past and she loves to be the center of attention, she gets really nervous talking in front of groups. It was so interesting to listen to her rehearse it. It was like one long, monotone sentence. I kept trying to help her see that this is her life and she could talk about it with some feeling behind it, but she couldn't do it in practicing. Yet, when she actually spoke she ended up crying through a lot of it. I stood next to her to help her not be so nervous and let her know I'd finish if she needed me to, but she got it all out. I asked her later what made her cry. I was pretty sure it was not because she was connecting with the things that have happened in her life. She said it was because she was so nervous and when her teacher stood up to introduce her, her teacher got choked up, so that made her want to cry too.
I know it affected people to hear her speak and then see the slideshow of photos, but I don't think Angelyn connects with her story on an emotional level. I'm sure someday it will hit her that God has done amazing things in her life and her story is so unique, but right now she seems to barrel through it without much thought for how she feels about it. It's similar to the way she approaches life in general. The area of understanding or recognizing emotions is still one that seems to allude my Liberian kids. I'm not sure if this will ever change or not.
Regardless, I know her story brings a lot of emotions out in others. Here is the slideshow we shared after her testimony. Sorry for the stuttering music. Seems to be a limitation for Picassa.
She loves to talk about her life and share her story, but she forgets and doesn't understand so many parts of it. It was strange to stop her many times and try to clarify pieces of her story as she prepared. We talk about her past a lot, but I guess it's hard at age 9 to understand it all or remember it.
Even though she loves to talk about her past and she loves to be the center of attention, she gets really nervous talking in front of groups. It was so interesting to listen to her rehearse it. It was like one long, monotone sentence. I kept trying to help her see that this is her life and she could talk about it with some feeling behind it, but she couldn't do it in practicing. Yet, when she actually spoke she ended up crying through a lot of it. I stood next to her to help her not be so nervous and let her know I'd finish if she needed me to, but she got it all out. I asked her later what made her cry. I was pretty sure it was not because she was connecting with the things that have happened in her life. She said it was because she was so nervous and when her teacher stood up to introduce her, her teacher got choked up, so that made her want to cry too.
I know it affected people to hear her speak and then see the slideshow of photos, but I don't think Angelyn connects with her story on an emotional level. I'm sure someday it will hit her that God has done amazing things in her life and her story is so unique, but right now she seems to barrel through it without much thought for how she feels about it. It's similar to the way she approaches life in general. The area of understanding or recognizing emotions is still one that seems to allude my Liberian kids. I'm not sure if this will ever change or not.
Regardless, I know her story brings a lot of emotions out in others. Here is the slideshow we shared after her testimony. Sorry for the stuttering music. Seems to be a limitation for Picassa.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Arborbrook
Here are a couple of great opportunities coming up at the kids' school this month for anyone who is interested.
Open House at Arborbrook Christian Academy will be this Thursday, November 12th. Here's a note from the weekly newsletter:
Arborbrook will open its doors this Thursday, Nov. 12th to families from the community who are searching for a school for their children for the 2010/2011 school year. If you have friends who have been curious about Arborbrook, please tell them about this Open House. Arborbrook has only two Open House opportunities per year and spaces fill up quickly, so it is important that they attend this open house. The Open House will begin in the sanctuary at 8:45 am. Visitors will enjoy assembly with the Arborbrook student body, take tours, have an information meeting, hear from our student ambassadors, and sit in on a class if they would like to.
Visitors should RSVP to Lori Grem: lgrem.arborbrook@gmail.com
I've heard from a handful of friends that are checking out the open house. If you are at all interested in learning more about Arborbrook Christian Academy, you do need to attend this first open house. Openings at the school fill quickly, and people who don't make the first open house tend to be on a wait list if they decide they want to enroll their kids.
Open House at Arborbrook Christian Academy will be this Thursday, November 12th. Here's a note from the weekly newsletter:
Arborbrook will open its doors this Thursday, Nov. 12th to families from the community who are searching for a school for their children for the 2010/2011 school year. If you have friends who have been curious about Arborbrook, please tell them about this Open House. Arborbrook has only two Open House opportunities per year and spaces fill up quickly, so it is important that they attend this open house. The Open House will begin in the sanctuary at 8:45 am. Visitors will enjoy assembly with the Arborbrook student body, take tours, have an information meeting, hear from our student ambassadors, and sit in on a class if they would like to.
Visitors should RSVP to Lori Grem: lgrem.arborbrook@gmail.com
I've heard from a handful of friends that are checking out the open house. If you are at all interested in learning more about Arborbrook Christian Academy, you do need to attend this first open house. Openings at the school fill quickly, and people who don't make the first open house tend to be on a wait list if they decide they want to enroll their kids.
Also, if any of you ladies would be interested in joining me, Arborbrook is going to have a sampling feast for their First Family Cookbook on Thursday, November 19th at 12:30pm at the school. I'd love to catch up with you, and this would be a fun time to do it. The cookbooks will be on sale along with some ready made meals from the cookbooks, and they will have samples of the recipes there to try. I'm on the Spring fundraiser, so I don't have any responsibilities for the event, and I thought this would give me an opportunity to go and have fun. You can email me if you want to join me.
Thursday, November 19, 12:30PM Add to my Outlook Calendar
Phone:
704-534-0990
We would like to present Arborbrook's First Family Cookbook, An Abundant Feast. Come, bring a friend, and enjoy tasting some of the delicious recipes you'll find in the book. You can even buy casseroles and baked goods from the cookbook* to take home for your own family - just in time for the holidays! (prices range from $5-$20). There will be cookbooks to purchase for $15 each. Please say you'll come!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Symposium on the Children's Bill
An important working symposium on the Children's Bill will be held in Liberia in two weeks on November 13-14, and it's important that as many people as possible pray for the event.
I am extremely excited that it has been planned and will involve primarily Liberians who are concerned that the laws and policies of their country are shaped to protect the best interests of their children.
Here is part of the text from an invitation I received for the event:
Sponsored by: The Foundation for Human Rights (FOHRD)
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and
The Child Protection Alliance of Liberia (CPAL)
Co-Sponsored by: The Liberia Council of Churches, National Muslim Council of Liberia, Liberia Democratic Institute – (LDI), Female Lawyers Association of Liberia – (AFLL)
In Association with: Adoption Services Providers; Child Advocacy International; National Union of Liberian Orphanages and Children Welfare Institute; Children Assistance Program; Mano River Women Network for Peace; Liberian Girls Guide Association; Boy Scouts of Liberia; Liberia National Student Union; Varsity Christian Fellowship; Christian Health Association of Liberia; Young Men’s Christian Association; Young Women’s Christian Association.
The symposium is a two day interactive roundtable discussion intended to discuss and dialogue on the Liberian Children’s Bill. Principally, the symposium will aim at ensuring that the evolving Children’s Law serves the best interest of the Liberian child. The event will bring together, legislators, policymakers, child rights advocates, Supreme Court Justices, religious leaders, parents and children services providers mainly for the purpose of: a) critically reviewing the draft children bill; b) providing advice to legislators on the rethinking and rewording of specific aspects of the bill that may not be in the best interest of the Liberian child; and c) adopting concrete action programs that will facilitate the scrupulous implementation of the bill when it is passed into law.
Speakers at the symposium will share insights and experiences as well as address the most pressing challenges facing the Liberian Child. Following the deliberations, participants will convene in group sessions and work out recommendations and suggestions to strengthen the children’s Bill and educate and advice legislators on the thinking of a broad spectrum of the Liberian society regarding the draft bill.
I do know that many people who are influential in what happens to children in Liberia will be in attendance. A piece of the discussion will involve adoptions as it is part of the Children's Bill. The hope is that by the end of the symposium a much stronger version of the bill will be ready for Liberian legislators to vote on when they reconvene in January.
As with every attempt to improve care for Liberian children, there has been and will continue to be a lot of spiritual warfare going on surrounding the planning and carrying out of this event. If any of you would like to coordinate group pray efforts, it would be a great way to fight for the children.
I am extremely excited that it has been planned and will involve primarily Liberians who are concerned that the laws and policies of their country are shaped to protect the best interests of their children.
Here is part of the text from an invitation I received for the event:
Sponsored by: The Foundation for Human Rights (FOHRD)
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and
The Child Protection Alliance of Liberia (CPAL)
Co-Sponsored by: The Liberia Council of Churches, National Muslim Council of Liberia, Liberia Democratic Institute – (LDI), Female Lawyers Association of Liberia – (AFLL)
In Association with: Adoption Services Providers; Child Advocacy International; National Union of Liberian Orphanages and Children Welfare Institute; Children Assistance Program; Mano River Women Network for Peace; Liberian Girls Guide Association; Boy Scouts of Liberia; Liberia National Student Union; Varsity Christian Fellowship; Christian Health Association of Liberia; Young Men’s Christian Association; Young Women’s Christian Association.
The symposium is a two day interactive roundtable discussion intended to discuss and dialogue on the Liberian Children’s Bill. Principally, the symposium will aim at ensuring that the evolving Children’s Law serves the best interest of the Liberian child. The event will bring together, legislators, policymakers, child rights advocates, Supreme Court Justices, religious leaders, parents and children services providers mainly for the purpose of: a) critically reviewing the draft children bill; b) providing advice to legislators on the rethinking and rewording of specific aspects of the bill that may not be in the best interest of the Liberian child; and c) adopting concrete action programs that will facilitate the scrupulous implementation of the bill when it is passed into law.
Speakers at the symposium will share insights and experiences as well as address the most pressing challenges facing the Liberian Child. Following the deliberations, participants will convene in group sessions and work out recommendations and suggestions to strengthen the children’s Bill and educate and advice legislators on the thinking of a broad spectrum of the Liberian society regarding the draft bill.
I do know that many people who are influential in what happens to children in Liberia will be in attendance. A piece of the discussion will involve adoptions as it is part of the Children's Bill. The hope is that by the end of the symposium a much stronger version of the bill will be ready for Liberian legislators to vote on when they reconvene in January.
As with every attempt to improve care for Liberian children, there has been and will continue to be a lot of spiritual warfare going on surrounding the planning and carrying out of this event. If any of you would like to coordinate group pray efforts, it would be a great way to fight for the children.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Christian Adoption Services' Host-to-Adopt Program
Here is a note from CAS Executive Director Jim Woodward:
If you have a desire to help orphans find their forever families, but don’t feel the calling to adopt, this meeting may be for YOU ! Christian Adoption Services is holding a planning meeting for implementing a “Host-to-Adopt” Program in July 2010 for orphaned Filipino Children. The children who have been pre-selected for the program range from 7-14 years of age including two sets of two siblings who are legally cleared for adoption.
Join us on October 29th at 7 PM at the Country Inn and Suites, 2001 Mt. Harmony Church Rd. in Matthews, NC for an overview of the needs of orphans in the Philippines and the strategies that will help them have Christian families to call their own. Please register your intentions to attend by calling CAS at 704-847-0038 or sending an e-mail to cas@christianadopt.org
If you have a desire to help orphans find their forever families, but don’t feel the calling to adopt, this meeting may be for YOU ! Christian Adoption Services is holding a planning meeting for implementing a “Host-to-Adopt” Program in July 2010 for orphaned Filipino Children. The children who have been pre-selected for the program range from 7-14 years of age including two sets of two siblings who are legally cleared for adoption.
Join us on October 29th at 7 PM at the Country Inn and Suites, 2001 Mt. Harmony Church Rd. in Matthews, NC for an overview of the needs of orphans in the Philippines and the strategies that will help them have Christian families to call their own. Please register your intentions to attend by calling CAS at 704-847-0038 or sending an e-mail to cas@christianadopt.org
Friday, October 23, 2009
Update on Adoptions in Liberia
Praise God for good news!
The following adoptions are being processed by the MOH in Liberia at this time:
1. Adoptions that had court decrees before January 26, 2009.
2. Special needs adoptions.
3. Adoptions of Liberian children by Liberians.
At this time, all other adoptions are still on hold under the moratorium until the Children's bill has been enacted and adoption agencies receive accreditation by the Liberian government.
The following adoptions are being processed by the MOH in Liberia at this time:
1. Adoptions that had court decrees before January 26, 2009.
2. Special needs adoptions.
3. Adoptions of Liberian children by Liberians.
At this time, all other adoptions are still on hold under the moratorium until the Children's bill has been enacted and adoption agencies receive accreditation by the Liberian government.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Hungry for God's Word
I’ve been reading through the Bible this year. Not as fast as I would like, but then, I don’t do anything as fast as I would like these days and that’s okay. But as I’ve been reading, I’ve been struck time and time again by how rich God’s word is all by itself. I mean, I like to think I’ve always known that, but I have to admit, I usually have some form of Bible study book by my side as I study. Not so much this year, and I’ve been blown away by the things God has been teaching and reteaching me. It’s kind of like the quest for physical health. You can try a lot of fad diets and programs, but in the end, simply eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to stay in shape. It seems to me that my spiritual health is like that, too. If I am feasting on God’s word and exercising my faith by applying the truths I find in His word, I stay in shape spiritually. With this year being such a work out, I’m finding myself hungrier and hungrier for His word.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
No More Wound Vac
Written on Friday afternoon:
We just got back from a visit to Angelyn's surgeon, and he gave us the okay to stop using the wound vac. Woohoo! She is super thankful not to have to cart it around anymore, and I'm thankful that we won't have to call the wound vac company anymore to explain how an eight-year-old and a wound vac aren't super compatible and she can't help smashing it into walls and dropping it so could they please send us a replacement part or a whole knew device.
She still has a decent size hole in her stomach...about 3"x2" so we'll have to do daily dressing changes, but they'll only take about 5 minutes instead of an hour.
So now our main challenge will be to keep our wild and crazy girl semi-restrained. She has permission to run and kick a soccer ball around, but she cannot fall down or get any blows to the stomach or the wound will rupture. Since it isn't all her own tissue it sounded today like she might need to eventually have another procedure done to help strengthen the tissue before she can fully return to her active lifestyle. She was slightly bummed to find out she won't be able to practice her flip throw for soccer anytime soon, but the good news far out-weighed that minor drawback. Playing sports (or playing anything for that matter) that are non-contact will be tricky for Angelyn. She's an all-out-girl and self-restraint is not a concept she readily embraces.
It seems that God isn't done with the lessons we're supposed to learn from this adventure. I'm still dancing around with finding the balance myself between protecting and letting go, taking control and giving freedom. Angelyn and I can be pretty head strong, so it can take us awhile, especially when our goals conflict with each others on the surface. But we're learning. Little by little, we're learning.
We just got back from a visit to Angelyn's surgeon, and he gave us the okay to stop using the wound vac. Woohoo! She is super thankful not to have to cart it around anymore, and I'm thankful that we won't have to call the wound vac company anymore to explain how an eight-year-old and a wound vac aren't super compatible and she can't help smashing it into walls and dropping it so could they please send us a replacement part or a whole knew device.
She still has a decent size hole in her stomach...about 3"x2" so we'll have to do daily dressing changes, but they'll only take about 5 minutes instead of an hour.
So now our main challenge will be to keep our wild and crazy girl semi-restrained. She has permission to run and kick a soccer ball around, but she cannot fall down or get any blows to the stomach or the wound will rupture. Since it isn't all her own tissue it sounded today like she might need to eventually have another procedure done to help strengthen the tissue before she can fully return to her active lifestyle. She was slightly bummed to find out she won't be able to practice her flip throw for soccer anytime soon, but the good news far out-weighed that minor drawback. Playing sports (or playing anything for that matter) that are non-contact will be tricky for Angelyn. She's an all-out-girl and self-restraint is not a concept she readily embraces.
It seems that God isn't done with the lessons we're supposed to learn from this adventure. I'm still dancing around with finding the balance myself between protecting and letting go, taking control and giving freedom. Angelyn and I can be pretty head strong, so it can take us awhile, especially when our goals conflict with each others on the surface. But we're learning. Little by little, we're learning.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
News Interview on Liberian Adoptions
We had an interview with a local news station yesterday about the Liberian adoptions in our community.
News Channel 14 Interview
News Channel 14 Interview
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