March 1, 2004

Caring for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,  Mississippi,
Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana 

 By Melissa Rose and Dan Schafer 

We first saw a picture of Vova in December 2002.  He was bundled up in a huge coat, standing outside in the snow, but with a beautiful smile and bright eyes.  It was difficult to get that picture of an 11-year-old boy who really wanted a home out of our minds.  Early in the spring we decided to host Vova in Operation Hope 2003.  We had a great three weeks with Vova and we anxiously awaited our court date in Russia.  Finally, on December 15, it was official and Vladimir Vladimirovich Schafer bravely left his friends and caregivers at the Safonovo boarding school to join us and his brother, Jacob.  After a week in Russia and holiday travel on the east coast, we arrived in Nashville on Dec. 29.  Vova is now in 5^th grade, has two hours of ESL every day, and loves having another Russian boy in his homeroom.  It seems that daily he learns more English words and he feels even more comfortable as a part of our family.  He is quite an athlete (a first for our family!), so he is starting gymnastics and Little League in the spring.  He enjoys speaking Russian with his new Papa (a professor of Russian history) and loves the sausage, kvass, and pickles from Alexsey’s Russian Store.  Jacob, our 10-year-old, has welcomed his new brother and is quite proud of him.  Even though Jacob is younger, he has assumed the role of “big brother” for now.  We thank CHI for bringing Vova into our family.  The whole process went so smoothly and everybody was very efficient, but also helpful and kind, through all the paperwork.  When we were in Moscow we talked to several families who were with other adoption agencies—they hadn’t received the professional treatment we had experienced with CHI.  Thank you to everyone in the Southeast branch office!

I thought you guys might like seeing pictures of the girls.  They are now 2 1/2 and doing great!  Just a few months ago they were saying a dozen words or less, but now their language is exploding! They can say hundreds of words, use three- and four-word sentences, Barrett is counting to three, and they both are asking questions. They love books, and want us to read to them constantly, saying, "One more, me".  They also love to read to Reid and point to the pictures for her.   

Keaton is the clown and drives serious Barrett crazy!  Keaton will put pants on her head and say, "Look, mine hat".  Barrett will sigh, roll her eyes like a true teenager, and say, "No hat, pants".  Then Keaton will point to a horse and say, "Cow -- moo", and Barrett will roll her eyes and correct her.  Keaton keeps it up until Barrett loses it, yelling, "no, no, no, NOOOO!"  Keaton just laughs and starts all over.   

Both girls have learned when they wake up from their nap, and I don't come get them fast enough, they say, "Uh, Oh ... sorry ... ewww, yuck". That always gets me running!!  They've learned to bounce their highchairs all over the kitchen and have made quite a few messes. They can also strip totally naked in the bed even though they wear their blanket sleepers backwards with the zippers up the back.  Their cribs are on opposite walls, so they aren't helping each other either!  

To give you an update, we are doing great!  Kate is the blessing that we always prayed for and she has been the apple of everyone's eye!  This past January we are proceeding through the adoption of an infant boy who was born on Dec. 31.  He, Jordan, was placed in our care January 2 from the hospital and about a week and one half later we were able to come home with him.  He is also doing great and Kate is making remarkable steps from "sole attention" to shared attention.   Adoption is a GOD send for us and GOD blesses us each day with the opportunity to share our experiences.  I will have to give a plug for CHI:  even though the paperwork is long and arduous, CHI covers all the bases!  Jordan's adoption is through private attorneys and not every need that they ask from us comes prior, some after the fact.  Thanks for the work that you do!  GOD bless.

 Troy Kilzer

EDITOR’S NOTE:  We are not currently taking applications for Guatemala, due to the instability of the program.  

We have just received information on the wonderful 13 children we hope to bring this Summer!    We have 4 sibling groups that we do not have host families for:  a brother and sister, 7 and 6 years old; two brothers who are 10 and 5 years old; a boy and girl 9 and 10 years old; and two Asian girls 8 and 11 years old!  Let us know immediately if you are interested in these children!!  Anyone interested in participating this year, will need to begin preparations now!!  And, if you get your application in this year, you will be guaranteed this year’s prices!! Please contact Brenda at Brenda@childrenshopeint.org, or 615-309-8109 for more information.

 All I-600A applicants can go to the Nashville ASC on ANY Wednesday after they receive their receipt showing they've paid the fingerprint fee. They no longer need appointments. They should just go on the "walk in" day which is Wednesday with their receipt and a Photo ID.

USCIS Proposes Fee Adjustment to Enhance Service

Washington, D.C, February 3, 2004 -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced in the Federal Register a proposed adjustment to the fee structure for immigration benefits. The revised fees would add an average of $55 to the current cost of immigration applications, and increase the biometrics fee by $20 for certain applications. Read more, including fee history.

We are delighted to offer you a series of Russian Classes held by Daniel Schafer, Belmont Professor. They will take place at Woodmont Hills Family of God Church, 3710 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37204 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Fridays, April 23, April 30 and May 7, 2004.

April 23: Introduction to Russian Language and Alphabet - A presentation that will quickly teach the Russian alphabet and give some basic "survival phrases".

April 30: Ethnic and Religious Groups of Russia - An introduction to Russia's basic geographical environment and the peoples who live there.

May 7: Moscow, Smolensk, and other Russian Cities in the Context of Russian History - Gives some background on the city of Moscow and other cities that families adopting from Russia will visit in connection with their adoptions. 

Please visit our website at http://www.childrenshope.com/southeast/Meetings/support_group_activities.htm for more information. To RSVP, please contact Natalia at the office or natalia@childrenshopeint.org. We hope to see you there!

 As of February1, Russia now wants families to be open to a boy or girl, ages 0-2 years of age, if you are requesting a young child.  For families who have already adopted two children of one sex, they can request a child of the opposite sex.  Families requesting older children can always request the sex of the child as well.  For more information, please contact Natalia@childrenshopeint.org. 

 Our newest programs are doing very well in Nepal and Kazakhstan.  We are still looking for families interested in adopting from both of these programs.  For more information on Nepal, please email Caroline@childrenshopeint.org and for Kazakhstan, please email Natalia@childrenshopeint.org. 

Give Me New Life  is the name given to our medical assistance project in China. Through funds we receive here in the U.S. and those given directly to our foundation in China, we are able to help China’s orphans receive surgeries that they may not otherwise receive. These surgeries range from cleft lip and palate repair, to orthopedic surgery to life-saving procedures for such illnesses as heart disease.

Jackie Chan, the popular and well known actor and martial arts expert and Mr Yang Shou Cheng, head of the HK Association of Entertainers, have recently given 12 million Chinese Yuan (1.5 million US dollars) to the Chinese Association of Social Work in Beiing.  The CHI Foundation, directed in China by Ms. Wu Jianying is a cooperating agency of the Chinese Association of Social Work.  Recently Ms. Wu had submitted a proposal for our project, "Give Me New Life" and has now been awarded the first one million yuan donation (USD$120,000) given by Jackie Chan to provide immediately needed surgery for orphans.

Please join us for free information meetings:

For more information, please go to http://www.childrenshope.com/southeast/index.htm

 March 1, Birmingham, AL

Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Rd

6:30-8:30 PM 

March 2, Huntsville, AL

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Suite 242

6:30 -8:30 PM 

March 6, Fort Smith, AR

Adoption Conference

First United Mehthodist Church

6:30 -8:30 PM 

March 7, Fort Smith, AR

Main Library, 3201 Rogers Ave

6:30 -8:30 PM 

March 9, 2004, Brentwood, TN

Children’s Hope Office, 7003 Chadwick Dr, Suite 350

6:30-8:30 PM 

March 8                    Woman’s Day            

March 15                  Home Study Group              6:30-8:30 PM                    Children’s Hope

March 19                  Parenting Class                   6:30 PM                             Woodmont Hills, White House

March 20                  Dossier Class                      8:30 AM                             Children’s Hope

                                   Travel Class                        10:00 -12:00 Noon             Children’s Hope

Hope you are enjoying the beginning of Spring!!  This is such a wonderful time to begin an adoption!!  There are always many, many children waiting for their forever families!!

We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you. 

 Brenda

Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483

 Brenda@ChildrensHope.com
 Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, AR, MS, FL, TX and LA