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  December 2006 

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Welcome Home for the Gansels, Dunnewolds, and Shafers TN (China)

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The Spakes Family, AR (China)

Our hearts overflow with love for Sarah!
We are so thankful first and foremost to God for answering our prayers,
to her birth parents, for a caring Christian adoption agency who helped us realize
our dream, and to family and friends who prayed for us for 14 years. God answers prayer!

          

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The Bush Family, GA (Russia)

Greg and I have just completed our first post-placement; what an awesome
way to reflect on our adoption journey this holiday season! We are so thankful
for the beautiful presence of Amelia in our lives. Thank you all for sharing in and being
 with us throughout our adoption journey. We are so grateful for you all!

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The Millard Family, TN (China)

EmmaLi is just a doll.  She seems to be very healthy and is the
happiest little one!  She just walked all around holding the balloons people
brought and interacting with everyone.  They said their trip was great and
she easily adjusted to them. Naomi even mentioned how glad they were that she
was a little older once they got her.  Kent and Naomi were just beaming!

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The Hethcox Family, TX (Russia)

   We are doing well here in Texas.  It hardly seems possible, but Nathan begins kindergarten tomorrow.  We just celebrated his Gotcha Day.  It hardly seems like it has been four years.  My how time flies!  I thought I would be ready for this day, but I am not so sure now!  :)  I have caught myself several times today thinking back to our first meeting.  He was so small, so unsure of what was occurring, but willing to be held by a stranger.  Those big brown eyes are still the same.  That contagious laugh still fills the room.  He truly is a gift from God. 

      Lauren is doing great!  Just this morning, her Sunday School workers were reminiscing about her coming home.  She has grown and changed so much!  She is imitating new sounds everyday and has certainly begun to exert her new-found independence.  Or, perhaps, I should say she has entered the terrible twos stage!  :)  She is a delightful angel and we cannot imagine life without her!  She giggles uncontrollably with her brother.  What did we ever do without them!?!

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The Dunn Family, TX (China)

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The Carroll Family, LA (Russia)

Thanks for checking on us.  Our trip was wonderful,
and little Maria was absolutely perfect!  Here's a
really cute picture of her dad holding her.

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The Nelson Family, KY (China)

I just wanted to share the "joys of our lives" with you.
Claire (7) and Audrey (4) are doing great.  They have so much fun together
and we have been so blessed. This is them playing "cowgirl" one night after gymnastics.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
 

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The Hicks Family, TN (China)

A few pictures from Emma Grace's birthday party!


        

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The Petersen Family, TN (Russia)

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The Knights Family, KY (China)

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The Suddarth Family, TN (Russia)

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The Cunningham Family, TN (China)

Sofia had so much fun on Halloween!  It cracks me up that in the pictures she's playing with the Christmas decorations that are already up in the mall.  Next year, I'm not going to spend so much time making a costume that is only worn for an hour or so! :)  Yeah right, I say that now.....

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The Thurmond Family, TN (Russia)

My little Tinkerbell!

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 Our Journey to Patrick...

We found Patrick unexpectedly.  About four months into our adoption process, photos of a group of special needs children were made available for viewing on CHIfamily.net.  While my mind was urging me to stay the course of hoping for a healthy boy, I listened to my heart’s desire to see these children’s faces.  After praying for the children’s well being and for them to be discovered by prospective parents looking to adopt, I clicked on the China icon to access the photo listing.  To my disbelief, I got only a screen with the message that the photos were not yet available.  Using the refresh function many times to reset the screen was all I could do for almost two days.  I thought the mishap might be a sign that it was not meant for me to see this group of children.  However, a voice in me told me not to give up.  With the help of our wonderful social worker and a persistent computer expert in the St. Louis office, I eventually clicked my way into the photo listings of China’s special children. 

 Our lives changed forever in the next few seconds.  The picture of an adorable little boy caught my full attention immediately.  He seemed to be saying, “Hey, here I am!  What took you so long?”  I was overwhelmed with what I can only describe in words as a mother’s love at first sight.  The child, now named Patrick, looked happy and healthy.  One of the photos showed a large birthmark on his left leg.  The birthmark was the special need.  Being human, my joy quickly turned to worries that we might have to wait in line to view the child’s medical information.  To my surprise, I got the news of receiving Patrick’s file by fax two days later.  I was thankful for the voice that told me to look at the photos.  It was a voice from above that spoke straight to my heart.  About six months later, we arrived home with Patrick on the day before his 2^nd birthday celebration.  God’s timing was perfect!

 Our amazing journey to adopt Patrick also gave me the perfect gift of closure to years of unresolved memories.  Even with a tight travel schedule, we were able to include Hong Kong as a brief stopover on our way to Nanjing.  It was my first return to my birthplace in more than twenty years.  We went to my father’s grave site at the Christian cemetery in Hong Kong.  I finally had the chance to finish saying goodbye to my father.  He passed away when I was sixteen.  Less than three weeks after his death, I was alone on a flight headed from Hong Kong to the United States to start college.  It was my father’s dying wish for me to be educated and make a life for myself in the U.S.  In his absence, faith was all I had to sustain my survival in a new culture, language, and to make his wishes for me come true.  As an adult now looking at the imprinted picture of my father on the grave stone, I could feel the grief that I had felt since age sixteen transform into a peaceful celebration of my father’s life.  His values of spiritual discipline, hard work, commitment to his family and love for children have always been present in my life.  It is so true that by faith, my father speaks, even though he is dead. (Hebrew 11:4)  I felt at peace about my father’s death for the first time as I was leaving the cemetery.  A joyful remembrance of traveling with my husband and son from China back to our home in the U.S. would soon take over the old memory of my traveling alone to live in a foreign country when I was sixteen.     

 In memory of my father’s compassion for children, we spent the last few hours in Hong Kong visiting the last known address of a former orphanage that he founded thirty years ago.  As if he had a crystal ball for my future, he named the orphanage after me.  Though the orphanage had ultimately evolved into a charitable day-care center several years ago, the facility remained a shelter for needy children until it closed about two years ago.  It was humbling to hear one of the elderly neighbors speak fondly of the children and “the nice man who saved their lives”. 

 During our two-week stay in our next destinations of Nanjing and Guangzhou, two special memories stood out among many unforgettable moments.  The first was from our visit to the Nanjing special needs orphanage where Patrick used to live.  Upon our arrival, all of the “aunties” gathered around to lavish their love on Patrick and greet his new parents.  They offered insights about Patrick generously.  As I witnessed the outpouring of love to him, it was clear to me that Patrick was well loved and received the best that was available at the orphanage.  Images of the other children reaching for me with hands outstretched for a little affection will linger in my mind forever.  It was comforting to know that several more children there would soon be united with their waiting parents.  As we were leaving, the aunties assembled again in the hallway to wish us farewell.  Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw Patrick’s former primary caregiver fight back tears to put on a smiling face before she waved goodbye to him. 

 The other special memory was from the awesome experience of Christian worship in Guangzhou.  We attended a bilingual Sunday service at a Christian church within walking distance from the White Swan Hotel.  The pews were filled with hundreds of local Chinese believers and visiting American adoptive families.  We prayed, sang hymns and listened to the worship message in Chinese and English.  The message was about God’s love and power to save the lives of those who believe in Him.  It inspired me to think of how adoptive parents are instrumental in God’s promise of love by saving the lives of orphans through adoption.  Throughout the service, I wished that my father could have been there to see how Christianity has prevailed in China.  Born and raised in the mainland, my father had made tremendous sacrifices over fifty years ago in order to preach the promises of God in China.  He later became a lay preacher in Hong Kong where he raised his children as Christians.  As I prayed before leaving the church, I could almost see my father smiling at me in peace and triumph.   

 We have many reasons to be smiling as well.  Our adoption journey was a success from start to finish.  Everything went smoothly according to a well-planned itinerary.  We were blessed with having no glitches in all of the adoption proceedings in Nanjing and Guangzhou.  Being able to speak to our son in his native language was an added blessing for me.  We were also gifted with a great family from our home state to be our travel companions.  Their beautiful daughter and Patrick were both from the same orphanage.  We could not have asked for better circumstances for Patrick to meet his new parents!               

The faith in me tells me that I was called to adopt an orphan long before I ever conceived of the possibility myself.  I hope to be able to follow my father’s footsteps in paving the way for more orphans to receive loving parents and permanent homes.  For now, I will continue to pray for Patrick’s birthmother to be blessed with the peace of mind that her son is loved, thriving in his growth, and being given a full chance at life.  I will also pray for the birthmothers of the remaining orphans to be comforted for giving up their children so that their lives might be saved through God’s protection.

Dorothy Walters (TN)
 

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PROGRAM AND COUNTRY FEES WILL BE INCREASING

Please note that all countries will have an increase of fees starting January 1, 2007.
Please, if you are considering adoption, go ahead and get your
application in to us to avoid those fees!

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Russia Updates 

Exciting news!  We are happy to announce that on November 4^th, the Governmental Regulation concerning the non-expiring accreditation and NGO status was officially signed.  We expect to receive our Accreditation by the end of November.  All of our documents for accreditation have been submitted. 

Families can also access the information on our Russian website at:

http://www.childrenshope.ru/en/general/news/?PHPSESSID=489dbe5593b30537c7b3dab4b3078f86

New Travel Hotline

CHI is also happy to announce the Travel Hotline for our Families with any travel questions! The Moscow staff has devoted staff members to work a travel hotline (314) 480-3291 on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST.  They will only answer general travel questions about hotels, weather, exchanging money, etc. It is an opportunity to speak to someone about what to expect from travel in Russia, but NOT about the adoption process or specifically WHEN a family will travel. Any questions that the Moscow staff is unable to answer will be redirected to their St. Louis coordinator. Please use this line to educate yourself in preparation for travel. Let us know after calling if you find this helpful. We are doing this on a trial basis as an added service to our families.  

                                          
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Federal Tax Credit

As you know, there are millions of children throughout the world
waiting for forever families. For many families and children, the
federal adoption tax credit of $10,000 has made their adoption dream
possible. There is currently a proposal to increase the federal
adoption tax credit to $15,000 and raise the income level at which
the phase out begins. Acceptance of this legislative bill will make
a significant difference to many families who have considered
adopting. You can help by contacting your representative in
Congress to let them know of your support for this
tax credit increase.

The proposed bill is H.R. 1561. In May, 2006, the bill was referred
to the House of Representatives' subcommittee on education reform.
A related bill for the tax credit increase is H.R. 4866, which makes
the needed changes to the internal revenue code. When contacting your
congressperson, you can mention both bills or just H.R. 1561.

To find out who your congressperson is, go to
<http://www.congress.org/> http://www.congress.org. You will need to
enter your zip code in the "write your officials" box along the left
side of the page.

To learn more about the proposed bill for the increased tax credit,
you may go to: <http://thomas.loc.gov/> http://thomas.loc.gov or
<http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.1561&congress=109>
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.1561&congress=109.

Please also encourage your friends and family to contact their
congressperson in support of this credit increase.

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Holiday Gifts for Orphans

Imagine a child experiencing the holidays without a family and without receiving even one gift.  You can brighten an orphan's holiday season with a donation of just $10.  Your donation will provide a holiday present such as a storybook, stuffed animal, or other traditional gift for an orphan in China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, or Vietnam. 

Download the flyers at left and print them out to share with your family, friends, churches, and organizations.  Or email the file to your more technical contacts. Holiday gifts for orphans is a great project for families, Sunday School classes, clubs, and more.  Click on the flyer to download the file and share the message with family and friends.

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House of Hope opportunity...

For the past two winters, Children's Hope has had the privilege of providing the funds for a winter's worth of coal for a poor
non-government orphanage in Jilin Province in Northern China. Many of the orphans at the House of Hope are refuges from North Korea, whose parent's have died either through starvation or
during the escape from North Korea.

Because of Children's Hope humanitarian aid projects in China have been restructured with the beginning of our orphan sponsorship program, Children's Hope is unable to provide the $1800 for the heating coal for the House of Hope this year.

Would you like to make sure the kids in the House of Hope
stay warm in the harsh winter of Northern China?

Go to www.ChildrensHope.net  to designate that you would like
to give coal to the House of Hope in Jilin Province. 
Or call Valerie at 314-812-1711.

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Holiday Dreams can come true...

Watch your mailbox for our CHI 2007 Dreams brochure. While little children with moms and dads are entertaining visions of sugarplums, ipods and animated dollies, orphans around the world can only dream of good food, medical care and a warm bed at night.

 YOU have the power to make some of their dreams
come true. Don't miss your opportunity to
give little children their dreams.

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Upcoming Information Meetings 

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 9, 2006  ~   Dossier Class  ~  8:30 AM  ~  Children's Hope

December 9, 2006  ~   Travel Class  ~  10:00 AM  ~  Children's Hope

December 9, 2006  ~   Pre-Adopt I  ~  12:30 PM - 6:00 PM  ~  Children's Hope

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A MESSAGE FROM BRENDA BARKER

It is always hard to believe that Christmas is here...we wait and long for Christmas all year!  I know my kids can't wait for Christmas to finally be here!  That is how so many orphans around the world feel about  parents.  They long for parents, not for the gifts that they will give them on Christmas, but for the love and family they so desperately need and deserve.  We have many ways listed this month that you can help an orphan with our humanitarian aid projects.  Please know that no gift is too small....you are touching the life of a child forever!

We don't want to burden you with lots of information, but we do want to keep you abreast of the changes and current status of adoption and orphan sponsorship around the world.  If you no longer desire to receive this email newsletter, we will regretfully remove your name.  And if you are thinking of adoption, there is no better time than today to turn in your application!  As you have already read, many country fees will be going up starting January 1!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Brenda

 Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 229 Ward Circle, Suite C-22
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483
brenda.barker@childrenshope.net

Also serving the following states:
TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, VA, LA & SC

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Click here to request an information packet regarding

 international adoption with Children's Hope International: send info, please. . .

 

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