July 8, 2009 7:48 PM
Focus on the Family huge adoption success
Isn't this great news? I think we should start a Christian revolution - and begin to live the kind of lives that make us distinctly different. The kind of lives where we stretch ourselves to give up material comforts and sign up for something sacrificial - not just for a day or a week or a month or a year, but for the rest of our lives.Good News: Focus on the Family Helps to Find Homes for Colorado's Children
Manager at Department of Human Services says 'Thanks' for unprecedented collaboration
Just a few years ago, 875 Colorado children were waiting to be adopted. Now, thanks in part to Focus on the Family, that number has dropped to 550.
Last November, close to 1,300 people representing 150 churches gathered at New Life Church in Colorado Springs for Focus on the Family's premiere Wait No More conference. More than 250 families stepped forward that day to begin the adoption process.
Dr. Sharen Ford, the permanency manager at the Colorado Department of Human Services' Division of Child Welfare, recently thanked Focus on the Family for its significant role in finding homes for Colorado's kids.
"This collaboration has been unprecedented in the history of state and local government during my 25-year tenure," Ford wrote to Kelly Rosati, senior director of the Sanctity of Human Life division at Focus. "The combination of partnerships -- state, local, faith-based organizations, private agencies -- media recognition and speaking opportunities has increased the number of families inquiring and taking ACTION to make a difference in CO's children finding their forever families."
Rosati said the news from Ford "is an answer to our prayers and to the prayers of many kids who've been waiting and longing for a family to come for them."
"We look forward to continuing to use our voice and reach," she said, "on behalf of the voiceless and forgotten legal orphans in foster care who are still waiting for adoptive families to call their own."
Ford also expressed thanks to Project 1:27, a Colorado ministry that recruits, trains and supports adoptive parents, support teams, churches, counties and other partners.
"The Department wouldn't have been able to accomplish this alone," Ford continued. "Focus and Project 1:27 have played significant roles in our achieving the outcome of 550 waiting children. Our agency looks forward to continuing our work together for the 'good of the children.' "
What a wonderful testimony!
The Bible is clear that it is our duty to care for widows and orphans. What if every Christian home made room for another child?
Maddy and I have been reading The Theology of the Body for Teens, which discusses John Paul II's concept of the sacramentality of the body - that is, that our bodies are the vehicles thorugh which God's love is made visible to the world.
Adoption is a great example of that sacrmentality. Even more, in my opinion, because we are reflecting God's adoption of us.
See also
A Tale of Four Adoptions
Considering Adoption? Hope for the Orphans Can Help
Posted in Adoption | Permalink
Comments
This is a move of God. Our church is having its own adoption push, starting with our Pastor, who has adopted one, and started foster care for others. It is contagious in the best way!
Posted by: angie | July 8, 2009 9:21 PM
I'm praying that our church would get heavily involved in adoption/fostering.
Posted by: Debra | July 9, 2009 9:04 AM
Oh my goodness! That picture is of my very good friends and their adopted daughter. What a surprise to open your blog and see thier picture.
Posted by: Monique in NJ | July 9, 2009 4:41 PM
My parents wanted to adopt but never had the money to go through all the red tape and legal hurdles. Some estimates came close to $20K! I have a few friends who have chosen international adoption for similar reasons.
It would be wonderful for more people in the Body of Christ to fight to make adoption easier. I have a feeling there are far more willing families that are held back by finances.
Posted by: Oneloved | July 10, 2009 11:52 PM
Barbara,
Bless you for your ministry in witnessing to life.
On the subject of churches and adoption, are you familiar with Russell Moore's recently released book, "Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches"?
I would heartily commend it to you.
It's a beautiful story of both the Moores' experience adopting their two Russian-born boys as well as thoughtful reflections on the theology of our adoption as sons (and daughters...) of God.
I'm 2/3 of the way through it...and am feeling the conviction to action. It's an uncomfortable challenge, so your blog is for me a resource of peace and inspiration as my heart gets stretched in preparation for accepting and accommodating (and, with grace, ultimately welcoming) what just might be God's will in this family...
Thanks again.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 14, 2009 8:51 PM
