AdoptionHSBC

Hey guys,
I ran across a few sermons on adoption. They are worth a listen if you have time. Also, the new Russ Moore book is excellent. Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to the next meeting.

http://www.gracechapel.net/teaching/index.html?p=detail&id=171

http://gracefellowshipcc.org/sermonaudio/?p=578

brittnie posted this on her blog and i found it really a must-read

a great post on adoption

Matt Brown>
UPDATE: Carrie's Profile has been put on hold! This means someone has made an application to adopt her. There are still many SN children available through Madision Adoption Associates, see their contact info below.
Please pass this on if you know any one interested in a child with special needs. I can get more info or you can use the contact information below. I know they have more pictures and probably video of her. These adoptions usually go quick.

Dear Friends-
The CCAA has come to us yet again and asked if we have found a family yet for Carrie. As you know, our staff has fallen in love with all of the Ox children, and we are determined to do everything in our power to find all of them loving homes. We will continue to work hard for each child, one at a time if we have to. That brings me to my post about Carrie. As we all know, the children have different personalities. Carrie's personality is one that stands out. She is outgoing and social, happy and extremely loving. She is also extremely determined and has overcome tremendous obstacles with her disability as she is now walking all over the place (with crutches). The CCAA and Officials in the Civil Affairs office have both taken an extreme interest in this child and have asked us to find a "very special family". For this reason, MAA has decided to waive our entire agency fee for the adoption of this child ($5500- See agency fee sheet on yahoo group for details). This does not include our service fee (which covers MAA's expenses) or the application fee which all families must send to show their commitment to the child. Please contact us asap if you are interested in this angel and please spread the word for her!!! Remember, we need a family info sheet from you (on the yahoo group) before we can discuss any particular child.

As you all know, MAA gives, and has ALWAYS given, considerable grants to find homes for our waiting children. Just to clarify, these reductions are not paid by third party donors, but it is a result of our agency cutting our own fees. We will continue to do so as necessary to meet the best interests of each child. Grants are often given due to the severity of the child's specific needs or the length of time a child has waited. Please understand that we wish that we could waive all fees for ALL our children and families, but it is simply not possible. All agencies have taken a hit in the last two years with the decline of adoptions. MAA in particular was greatly affected due to the closing of Guatemala and the non-recognition of temporary Hague status by many countries. Because of excellent financial planning and low overhead, thanks to God, it seems we have weathered the storm. However, please understand that we, as a small agency, can do only so much and grants for matched children cannot be retroactive. As previously stated, we will continue to do everything in our power to get each child home.

Thank you so much for your understanding, and let's all pray for Carrie this week!

Diana Bramble, MBA, MSW
Madison Adoption Associates
1009 Woodstream Drive
Wilmington, DE 19810
302-475-8977
www.MadisonAdoption.com
www.MAAOxCamp.blogspot.com

From FamilyLife's Hope for Orphans:

We wanted to make you aware of an important event that Hope for Orphans, along with Focus on the Family, and Show Hope (formerly Shaohannan's Hope) is sponsoring.

It is the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil happening May 17-24, 2009. We are asking believers to cry out to God on behalf of the 500,000 kids in the U.S. foster care system, as well as the families, social workers, and judges.

Would you consider hosting a vigil? A prayer vigil can take on many forms. It can be a formal, church-wide event, part of your regular Bible study or Community Group, or an INFORMAL GATHERING WITH YOUR FAMILY AFTER DINNER.

To find out more, register your own prayer vigil, and get downloads for promotions, guides, and information go to www.fostercareprayervigil.org.

Along with the children and other involved in the foster care system, please begin to pray for 500 Foster Care Prayer Vigils and at least one in each state!