America World Adoption News

CEO Note

My apologies for Friday’s quick blog post trying to tackle a big issue in a quick blog on a Friday afternoon. I had a lot of things to say and didn’t get across everything I wanted to. If it came across as defensive or lacking details/specifics – that was not intentional but my fault and I’m sorry. Instead of writing specifically about Ethiopia, I wrote in general trying to make it more relevant to all our programs. I have asked our Ethiopia team to separately put out a posting this week (look for this tomorrow) about ways that we seek to work ethically in Ethiopia.

I do mean what I wrote in Friday’s blog: It’s a truly wonderful thing to know that so many families are concerned about the ethics of international adoption. The blog, written by Jen Hatmaker, is here. Even if I don’t agree with everything, I do think these discussions will only make for more informed families, better performing agencies and will help all of us be more thoughtful as we seek the same purpose of ensuring children grow up with a family.

Look for more this week about our work in Ethiopia and other countries. 

-Brian

On Ethical Adoptions

There is a popular blog whose Christian author recently posted about ethics in adoption. The author is an adoptive parent who adopted internationally. I will not name the blog or author, but it was impressive to see how wide-ranging her impact was – our agency was inundated with emails shortly after this blog was posted. There is something to rejoice in here: It’s a truly wonderful thing to know that so many families are concerned about the ethics of international adoption. The blog didn’t mention our agency or address us, but since so many families wrote to us following the blog post we thought it would be helpful to respond. 

First, there are a lot of things this blog post got right. The author was absolutely right in noting that adoption processes should not be about adoptive parents’ rights to a child.  She is absolutely right to grieve over the abuses, coercions and broken families that have resulted from fraud, lies and corruption. And she is absolutely right to say that adoption should not be motivated by a desire to provide children with a wealthier family. Although there are points on this blog post that we certainly didn’t agree with and wouldn’t endorse, on these issues she is right, and ought to be commended. 

At America World Adoption, we don’t believe our agency, our staff or the adoption systems we work in are perfect. We’re not naïve enough to believe that there are not children and families who have been very hurt by fraud, abuses or corruption. We know this has happened to some families and we grieve with you. If there are cases of adoption abuses, our agency stands with other adoption professionals asking for the abuses to be prosecuted. But we don’t want to paint a picture of international adoption as a system that is primarily composed of fraudulent cases. We don’t believe that. We also believe that most of the adoptive families we work with care first and foremost about children. We believe they deeply and compassionately care about those children’s birth families. We also believe that children living in orphanages should have an opportunity to grow up with parents: if birth parent reunification isn’t possible, kinship placements should be sought; if this isn’t possible, domestic adoption should be considered; when this isn’t a possibility, international adoption can be a great, appropriate and God-ordained way of ensuring that children grow up with families. Finally, we want to say, loud and clear, that we unapologetically don’t believe international adoption is a “last resort”.  Abusive families, orphanages, foster care, group homes, or growing up as a street child are worse options for a child.

The topic of corruption and fraud in international adoption truly is helpful and hopefully will result in more informed and prepared parents. We hope and pray that this “trendy topic” leads to true changes and doesn’t result in fewer children growing up with parents. It’s possible to continue to improve our imperfect systems and continue to serve children and families at the same time. That’s our commitment and we hope if you have feedback on this subject for how we can do this better that you’ll share it with us.

-Brian Luwis, founder and CEO

CEO Note - Thank you for Praying

I’m so encouraged by the number of families, Christian orphan advocates and staff who told us they joined in our 3-day Esther fast. I know of ways in which God has responded to our prayers and believe He will continue to respond in the weeks and months to come. Thank you for those who joined us in prayer during this time. As always, families are welcome to email or call us with your prayer requests and we will confidentially keep you in prayer during our time of devotions each workday.

I’m looking forward to the upcoming Christian Alliance For Orphans Summit in Nashville this May. I know a number of adoptive families will be there and I am looking forward to meeting many families and participating in the conference. It’s not too late to sign up!

I know this coming week is “spring break” for many families with school-aged kids and, for many of us, we consider it “Holy Week” as we reflect upon Christ’s last supper, death, burial, and resurrection. As in years past, we’ve given our staff “Good Friday” off so that they can attend church services and/or spend the day reflecting upon Christ’s sacrifice for us. If you’re reading this blog and think you’d like to learn more about what Christ accomplished for us through His death and resurrection, take the time this coming week to ask a pastor or Christian friend more information about this and what it means to be a Christian. It’s the most important decision I made and is part of how I became adopted into God’s family.  

-Brian Luwis, CEO

CEO Notes

Many of you saw a few weeks ago the results published in the FY 2012 report by the U.S. Department of State which showed a continued decline in inter-country adoption. This tragedy is worse knowing that the number of adoptions has decreased by more than 60% since 2004, and the number of orphans is increasing world-wide. With Russia’s ban on inter-country adoption to the United States, it is assumed that the numbers will continue to decline in coming years.

We are grateful to God that, despite declining total number of adoptions to the United States, our agency has been able to maintain financial stability and continues to place hundreds of children for adoption each year. Unfortunately, other agencies have not adapted as well to changing climate of international adoption; we learned recently that Christian World Adoption, based in South Carolina, A.S.I.A., based in Oregon, and Adoption ARK, based in Illinois, have shut down their agencies. We recognize that this is a very difficult thing for families that were in process to adopt from these agencies and we pray those families will not be discouraged as they continue on their adoption journey.

On a more positive note, I read an interesting article the other day on an online news site that at first caught my attention because it involved adoption from China. In the end, I was pleased to see the court in this case sided with the adoptive daughter and recognized the adoptee as having the same rights as a biological child. 

I want to encourage families at any stage in their adoption journey to consider attending the Christian Alliance For Orphan’s annual Summit Meeting “Summit 9” which is being held in Nashville from May 2-3. More information, including registration can be found at this site.  Year after year, this conference inspires, encourages and informs hundreds of adoptive families and adoption professionals. I’ll be there and hope you will be, too!

-Brian Luwis, Founder and CEO

CEO Notes

It’s been a great, busy and full week here in the office.  We have families traveling to China, Ethiopia, Brazil & India and we’re in prayer for all of these families as many of them will be meeting their children for the first time!  What a privilege it is to serve families in these situations. 

If you, like me, received a calendar in the mail a bit late – we apologize for that.  I got mine in the mail, opened it up, and saw the “Merry Christmas” mentioned in the letter and thought, “We’re a bit late wishing folks a Merry Christmas…”…  but I suppose in one sense we can think of every day as Christmas if we view it as Christ being present and alive and our Savior who came to set us free.  However you might look at this, please accept our apologies for this coming later than we hoped.  There were delays with our printer and setbacks with shipping.  Though it’s late, it is great – what beautiful children we have been able to serve.  Thanks to all the families who sent us pictures.

Many of you will have seen our agency’s announcement that we were one of the agencies chosen by Haiti’s adoption authority to receive a license to conduct inter-country adoptions from Haiti.  This is a great privilege and a responsibility we take very seriously.  We look forward to serving the people of Haiti and helping children find loving, safe and permanent families. 

We’re also excited about our agency’s role as we continue to develop a domestic adoption program.  We’ve been able to counsel and assist more women who are dealing with unplanned pregnancies or challenges during pregnancy.  We thank God for our opportunity to provide assistance, support and care towards these women and trust that God will use our work to ensure children grow up with families.  If you know a woman in Virginia who may benefit from our counseling, care and assistance, please have them call or text 703-346-4921.

-Brian Luwis, Founder and CEO

CEO Notes - 2012

2012 has been a good year for our agency, but I'm sorry to say it's ending in true disappointment with the news that Russia has chosen to ban inter-country adoption in a political struggle that has nothing to do with children.  Thousands of children will be without the opportunity to find permanent, loving families.  There are hundreds of thousands of children in Russia that are currently living in orphanages.  Likewise, in our country, we have many children who are living in foster care and need a permanent, loving family (in the U.S. or Russia or wherever a loving family can be found).  It's a tragedy when we see borders and politics serve as barriers to children finding families.  Please join me in praying that a reasonable solution would be found that lifts this ban and puts children's interests ahead of politician's interests.

Christmas Greetings from our CEO

Dear families and friends,

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas on behalf of my family and our agency staff. We have been so blessed this year as we’ve been able to participate in God’s work of building families through adoption. Many of our previous adoptive families have added our office to their Christmas card list and we are proudly displaying those cards in our lobby. Your families are beautiful and remind us of the importance of our work. If you haven’t added us to your Christmas list, please do!   

This Christmas, I encourage you to talk to your kids about Christ’s birth and how his earthly father, Joseph adopted him and, with Mary, cared and raised him. May our Lord richly bless you this Christmas!

-Brian Luwis, CEO

CEO Notes

The last month has been very busy around the office. We welcomed a delegation of adoption officials from China in October. Representatives from several provinces participated in trainings and meetings to learn more about child development, Hague standards, and adoption practices in the US. They met with staff on Capitol Hill, visited medical centers, and heard from a panel of adult international adoptees who discussed their experience in their family, school & society. We also hosted a delegation of Ethiopian adoption officials last week who came to see the process of adoption from the agency’s side. Several local families had dinner with them, giving the delegates an opportunity to meet parents and children. It is an honor to host these delegates while they were in D.C. and we look forward to our continued partnership in helping place children from these countries.  

We have several programs where clients are traveling this week or next for adoptions trips to Ethiopia, China, Russia and Haiti. Some of these families are bringing home their children while others are experiencing their first adoption trips as they continue to wait for various approvals. We continue to pray for the licensing process in Haiti in hopes our agency will receive that approval soon.

We have much to be thankful for as an agency. AWAA has opened several new adoption programs last year and this year. Families continue to come forward to adopt waiting children, older children and children with special medical needs. Each month, children from around the world come home to loving parents and siblings. We also understand the holiday season is challenging for all our families waiting on their referral or waiting for approvals to bring their child home. Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

While we all reflect on what we are thankful for this season, we remember the orphans around the world, those that are waiting for their forever family and those who many never be able to be adopted. We join together in prayer for them.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

CEO Notes - Domestic Program Launches

We’ve had a lot going on in our offices these past weeks and I’m especially excited at the work we’ve done to launch a domestic adoption program. This has been a goal our agency has had for many years and we are grateful for the opportunity to minister to women facing unplanned pregnancies and who want more information about what it means to make an adoption plan. This program is initially focused on helping pregnant women in Virginia, but we hope to expand our ability to serve in many other states as well. If you’d like to connect your church ministry or find ways to support this ministry to women facing a crisis pregnancy, please contact our office.  

I want to remind everyone that in just over a week we’ll be celebrating “Orphan Sunday” – a movement God has used to reach Christians for causes such as foster care, adoption and orphan care. There are local events going on throughout the country, including an event in Northern Virginia near our office.   

Congratulations to families traveling home from China this weekend! Safe travels and enjoy your transition to a larger family! 

CEO Notes - "On Understanding Orphan Statistics"

One of the reasons I’m proud of America World Adoption’s membership with the Christian Alliance For Orphans, is the commitment the Alliance makes to accurately reporting and representing the need of orphans for a family.  The Alliance takes seriously the whole range of permanency options for orphans, including the important need to protect and reunite vulnerable families.  The Alliance recently published a paper “On Understanding Orphan Statistics” which I commend to orphan advocates.  It highlights the need for the Church to be involved in ensuring all children grow up with the love of a permanent, committed family.

I’m grateful for our staff’s hard work in June processing many referrals, including over 20 referrals in Ethiopia!  Along with that, we’ve had many staff working extra hours to prepare for the older children being hosted from Ethiopia through America World’s Welcoming Angel’s Program.  Please be in prayer for these children and families over the coming month.

Despite the many referrals and busy month we’ve had, many families are still experiencing long waits.  Psalm 130:5-7 gives us a picture of waiting on the LORD and keeping our hope in the LORD: 

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

And in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the LORD,

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

And with Him is plentiful redemption. 

-Brian Luwis, CEO