Children's Hope International E-Newsletter

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

The Best Father's Day Gift?
For Kurt, There are 3

DEVELOPMENT AID:

	China Earthquake Daily Updates Amongst the Suffering
	Emergency Food Relief for Ethiopian Children
	Night of Hope Will You Be There?
	Artists Relay the Message

PARENT-TO-PARENT:

School's Out!
Slide into Summer

PROGRAM UPDATES:

	China Referrals and Adoptions Kick-Off June
	Colombia 10 Children with Recent Homecomings
	Ethiopia Flurry of Action in Ethiopia Program
	Russia 34 families from 16 States Have Completed Adoptions from Russia in 2008
	Vietnam Joyful News in Vietnam Even During Uncertainty

Request a copy of our Adoption
Guide to see which program
is right for your family.

Help the lives of orphans by sponsoring a child today!

Get your church involved
with orphan ministry.

Our Accreditations

KAZAKHSTAN PROGRAM UPDATES

Process varies by region

Shymkent Region
One family traveled to Kazakhstan last week to bring their adopted child home. Congratulations to our completing family!

Almaty Region
Three families have taken first trips. None have had court yet. One family returns this week for court. The other two families have court scheduled in late June. Due to court delays, each of these families is going to need to take an unexpected, additional trip.

Almaty City
Two families have taken first trips. No court dates have been set yet. Almaty City is a three-trip region so once these families do return for court, they will need to travel one more time to bring their child home (because of the length of time between court and when the child's paperwork is ready for him or her to come home).

Karaganda Region
This region does not have children available until late July, but it is expected that families will travel there shortly thereafter. We are excited to be sending our first two families to Karaganda this summer.

What is the purpose of the database?
Children are required to be "on the database" for around six months, in order to give local Kazakhstan families first priority to adopt them. It also allows biological family members to come forward. If neither of these takes place, then at that time the child may become available for international adoption.

"Last year we were in Kazakhstan waiting for our court date to adopt our first child, Serik," says Gretchen Bilbro. "During the past year, I have been lucky enough to witness my husband's transformation into the most caring and loving Father I have ever known. He is a blessing to me and our sons.

Within a year he has become Father to two boys and we are waiting for our third to be born this August. Chris is full of fun and never passes up the chance to hug and kiss the boys. He loves teaching them to play the drums and getting them all riled up before bedtime. He helps me rock them to sleep at night and takes turns getting up in the night. We sure do love you, Papa!"

Gretchen's husband Chris is father to Serik, adopted through Children's Hope Kazakhstan Program in June 2007. Since then, he's been the man to experience many firsts with his son, pictured here ? his first scary ride down a slide and his first experience eating an ice cream cone.

Happy Father's Day, Chris!

If you would like to share your thoughts, experiences or stories about your adoption,
email: Jennifer.Newcomb@ChildrensHope.net

We would love to post your family pictures!