Adopted by Design

Urgent Need: Families for Healthy Boys

We would like to make families aware of 3 healthy boys in the China Waiting Children Program who are in need of a forever family. These boys will soon age out of China’s adoption program and will no longer be able to know the love of a family. The CCCWA has expressed that they would like for each of these boys to find a loving family before they are too old to be adopted; therefore, we would like to share some information on each of them and advocate on their behalf. Though we are highlighting these three boys in particular, there are still hundreds of boys of all ages, who are currently available for adoption in the China  Waiting Children Program. Some of these boys are older and are healthy, while others may have different types of minor to moderate medical needs, repaired needs, or delays.

Today, we would like for you to meet three of these boys in particular:

Oliver is a healthy thirteen and a half year old boy. He is an active and talented young man who likes to play soccer.  Oliver also enjoys watching TV, playing games and reading.  What's more, he is also fond of music and singing. He has a good appetite and enjoys eating rice and noodles.  Oliver has until July to find his forever family. His referral is open to LID families only due to the amount of time left before his 14^th birthday. Families who may be interested, need to have a valid USCIS approval and fingerprints if at all possible, because of need to expedite his process due to his age and pending birthday. (Family needed immediately as he must be adopted by mid-July. Process will be expedited.)

Jude is a handsome, healthy twelve and a half year old boy, who is an extrovert and gets along well with other children.  He is an athletic boy who enjoys soccer and skate boarding.  Jude also likes to read and listen to music.  At mealtimes, he has a good appetite and his favorite food is meat. 

Miles is a healthy twelve and a half year old boy, who gets along well with his classmates and respects his teacher.  He is good at writing Chinese characters and math.  He is also an active boy who likes to play soccer and run.  Miles also enjoys art, reading, and writing short poems.  Some of his hobbies include toy cars, trains and playing with transformers. 

All three of these children are categorized by the CCCWA as special focus children (their adoption can be approved alongside another adoption when applicable/approved by using one dossier). Families interested in learning more or in speaking with other families who have adopted older children or boys, should contact their Family Coordinator or email waitingchildren@awaa.org for more information or to obtain the Waiting Children Program password. Families can view photos for these boys by going to our website.

Please join us in prayer that God will bring Jude, Miles, and Oliver, and the many others like them who are waiting, their forever families.

* English names given to each child in order to protect their identity

China Waiting Children Program- April Referrals

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout the month of April, 9 children were matched with their forever families. These referrals were for boys and girls ages 10 months to 9 years with various medical needs. The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and  types of special needs represented. We know many families are waiting for their referrals and we continue to pray for all families throughout the adoption process.

Families who would like to learn more about the program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff.

China Waiting Children Program- March Referrals

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout in the month of March, 6 children were matched with their forever families! These referrals were for boys and girls ages 21 months to 3.5 years with various medical needs. The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and types of special needs represented. We know many families are waiting for their referrals and we continue to pray for all families throughout their adoption process.  

Families who would like to learn more about the program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff.

China Program- CCCWA Confirms New Dossier Review Dates

The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) has confirmed that they have completed the review of dossiers that were registered with their office through September 30, 2011. This means that all families who were logged in at the CCCWA through September 30, 2011 have had their dossier paperwork reviewed. The timeframe for the dossier review process will vary as it is based upon the number of dossiers that are logged in during the particular month(s) that is(are) currently under review.

**Families should note that the CCCWA will generally contact an agency when there is an issue with a family’s dossier, while it is being reviewed during the dossier review stage and will request any corrections or clarification of information contained in the dossier.  Although a family may not be questioned during the review stage, a family may still be questioned at the referral matching stage, though this is less common.

Families with a Log in Date through August 31^st, 2006 have been matched with a referral.

We will post any updates to dossier review & matching once it is confirmed by the CCCWA.

2011 Agency Annual Report

America World's 2011 Agency Annual Report is now available to view and download online!

In our continued effort to be 100% transparent with prospective adoptive parents, our clients and our investors, America World staff members have compiled reviews and updates of this past year's progress and changes for all of our various Country Programs.  A condensed, physical version will also be available in another couple of weeks and can be mailed to you upon request.

Our agency's 2011 Audited Financial Statement will also be posted to the Agency Reports page within the next month, so feel free to check back soon.

Thank you for your support of America World Adoption and our mission to build God's kingdom through His design of adoption!  We covet your continued prayers for a clear understanding of the Lord's sovereign direction of our agency.  We are honored to serve your family and the orphans of the world in 2012!

In Him,

Jason West, Director of Development

China Waiting Children Program- February Overview

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout in the month of February, 4 children were matched with their forever families!  These referrals were for boys and girls ages 10 months to 5 years with various medical needs.  An additional update will be sent to all waiting children program families soon. The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and  types of special needs represented. We know many families are waiting for their referrals and we continue to pray for all families throughout the adoption process.  

Families who would like to learn more about the program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff.

China- Mission Trip to Gansu Province

America World is excited to announce that we are partnering with Visiting Orphans for a mission trip to the Gansu province, August 2-14, 2012.  This is a wonderful opportunity for families to serve one of our partnership orphanages where many special needs children reside. Families and individuals who participate in this trip, will have the opportunity to experience China’s rich culture in Beijing before traveling to a rural area of the Gansu Province. During this trip, team members will have the opportunity to share love and care for children who have a wide range of medical needs. 

There is a great need for team members who are in the medical field -particularly those who are physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, or speech therapists; however,  any individual or family is encouraged to participate in this trip.  Whether holding a child, playing games with a toddler, making crafts with older children, or feeding a baby their bottle, there is something for everyone on this trip.

Individuals and families interested in this mission trip opportunity, should contact Frank Pass at frank.pass@visitingorphans.org to learn more. Additional information about this exciting trip can be found by clicking  here. 

China Waiting Children Program- January Referral Update

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout the month of January, 15 children were matched with their forever families!  These referrals were for boys and girls, ages 9 months to 13.5 years, with various medical needs or repaired needs.  The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting. Other wait time factors include the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and the types of special needs represented. We continue to pray for all of our families throughout each stage of their adoption process.  

If your family would like to learn more about the Waiting Children Program and referral opportunities, please contact the China Program staff.  We are happy to assist you with your questions or provide you with further information.

 

China: Is There a Family For Me?

During a recent conversation with one of our China program families who adopted two boys from China, Holly Nauss shared an impacting short story:

“At the end of every day as our son Steven is going to bed, he prays, ‘Thank You, God, for my family!’ As his mom, I am reminded every night that he is thankful that he was adopted and I get choked up. We have adopted two boys from China and I shutter to think of what our boys' futures would have been had they not been given a home. Now- they have a family, they have arms that hug them, opportunities that would not have existed for them, a church that teaches them about the Lord, and doctors who can help to heal them. Every child deserves a loving family and in God's eyes, boys are just as valuable and worthy as girls.”

In the China Waiting Children program, there are a large number of boys just waiting for their forever family. In many cases, families interested in adopting a boy through the WCP can be matched very quickly. Many families are not aware that this need exists.  The following families would like share their thoughts on how they adopted precious boys who are now a part of their family:

“We never thought about adopting a boy from China! Our “family picture” seemed to only include girls. Our Family Coordinator asked us a simple question when we contemplated pulling our file, ‘Have you ever considered a boy?’ A boy? ... from China? ... We simply didn’t know there were any available. That simple question changed our lives forever. We went from pulling our file, to bringing home a son! We never imagined our family with a son ... now we can’t imagine our family without one!” – The Hallgren Family

 

 “We have been blessed to adopt three beautiful children from China through AWAA.  During our most recent adoption, our son was adopted via the Waiting Child program.  He has brought much joy, excitement, love and energy that only a little boy can bring to our family.  

Honestly, our family would be not complete without him as a part of it.  We certainly encourage families to consider adopting boys who need nurturing families just as much as little girls do.  We have been blessed and are sure you will be, too.” - The Begeman Family

“Jonathan is our treasure and delight.  Initially, we didn’t even check cleft lip and palate on our initial waiting child application. During a mission trip, the Holy Spirit must have prompted me to think “ this is not a child’s fault that they have cleft lip and palate. You are called to use your gift of good medical care and insurance and walk a child through this”.  I thought, if I walk away because of fear (the unknown of caring for a child with a cleft) this child may still have this condition.  Jonathan has been a delight, a joy, a treasure and  so much fun!  - Suzanne Vincent

Jonathan loves his 2 older sisters and is such a daddy’s boy. He loves to “work” with me in whatever I am doing, helping me fix anything around the house and loves to be held by his daddy.  He runs around and dances when I come home from work and prays with me before he goes to sleep.  I cannot imagine God blessing me more abundantly than he has with Jonathan as my son.  I cannot wait to watch him grown into a boy and then a man of God.   – Larry Vincent

What about you? Will you help change a boy’s prayer from “Is there a family for me?”  to “Thank you, God, for my family.”  If your family is interested in adopting a boy through the China Waiting Children program (WCP), please contact your Family Coordinator or email waitingchildren@awaa.org to learn more about this wonderful opportunity. 

China & Waiting Children Program- USCIS Announcement for I-600a Cases

All China and China Waiting Children Program families who are working on their dossier or who are waiting to be matched with a referral, should have received an email on February 2nd regarding the important USCIS information for I-600a cases.  If you are in one of these stages and did not receive these emails, please contact your Family Coordinator for this information. Families who have already received their referral approval letter from the CCCWA or who are traveling will not be affected by these changes. Please note that this USCIS announcement does not affect families in the China program who are currently under the I-800a application.