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NOVEMBER 2002 NEWSLETTER
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Caring
for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, |
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Florida,Texas,
and Louisiana |
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The Dunavent Family |
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Joy of a Boy There’s the joy of a boy that one only knows Who loves a boy and watches him grow. There’s the joy of a boy that one only feels When she has her own son and knows that it’s real. There’s the joy of a boy that one only hears As he giggles and coos as the evening draws near.
‘Cause he’s here with me now and
I’m watching him grow. There’s the joy of my boy with
his big blue eyes With his cute little nose and
his chubby little thighs There’s the joy of my boy with
the way that he grins And the way that he laughs when
I tickle his chin. There’s the joy of my boy who
now I can see Now that God brought my precious
son to me. By: Susan Dunavant,
Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
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Many Wonderful Children
Still Wait For Families |
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Please know that there are many older waiting
children in all of the countries we work in, including sibling groups. If you
are interested in our Wonderful Waiting Children, please email brenda@childrenshopeint.org
. I would love to answer any of your
questions. Childrens Hope
International web site is www.childrenshopeint.org |
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The Lester Family |
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By Sue
Lester, Paducah, Kentucky Hey
everybody!! It is Hannah's Gotcha Day. One year ago, God gave
us a precious gift and a Russian judge declared it final! What
has changed in a year.... - Our
lives, completely - everybody said how much things were going to change,
well, everybody was right, they have! - Our
house - it got smaller! - Our
pets, Bo and Tigger, they are in shock and still don't know what
happened. - Our
Grocery bill, wow baby stuff is expensive. Hannah: - Eight
pounds, from 17 pounds to 25 pounds. - Six
inches, from 27 inches to 33 inches. -
From barely walking to running faster than a speeding bullet. - No
English to Nonstop talking and singing. - Very
little hair to her hair up in a ponytail. - Clothes
size from 9/12 months to 18/24 months. - Shoe
size from Infant 3 to 6. - Our hearts,
they dance with joy, happiness, and pride each time she gives us a kiss and
says Mommy and Poppy - we couldn't be more blessed !!!!! Thanks to
all of you for your support, prayers, hand me downs, and encouragement!
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Changes for Russia and
Guatemala!! |
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If
you are just completing your dossier for Russia, please note that one
additional form has been added, “Questionnaire of the Candidate to Adoption”
which is a registration document. If
you don’t have this form, please let us know and we can send it to you. Contact Natalia@childrenshopeint.org.
We are also sending email updates. If
you did not receive the most recent one, also let us know! FEE
INCREASE: Russian adoptions will
increase as of January 1, 2003 by $1000 for anyone who has not applied by
that date. So, if you are thinking of
adopting from Russia, get your application in! Some of our other fees may increase as
well…we’ll keep you posted. For
Guatemala, we are now requesting the Power of Attorney and the Deposition of
Witnesses with the Dossier. If you
have questions on this, please contact beth@childrenshopeint.org. We are
also sending out email updates for Guatemala as well. This should be in the next few days. Let us know if you do not receive this! |
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International
Conference in Russia |
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Much wonderful information was shared and learned, from
the Americans, Russians and Chinese. I
spoke on the history of adoptions in the US, Michael spoke on foster care
practices in the US, and Director Chen spoke of the experiences in
China. Workshops followed the next
day, with additional information being shared in more practical, “hands-on”
methods. Other speakers and workshops
included information on Foster Care Experience in Russia in Novgorod, Moscow,
Samara, Smolensk; the work of NGOs; how to apply for humanitarian aide; laws;
preventative measures; family mentorship; and a variety of other topics. The Russian delegates we spoke with were so
delighted to hear about social workers, the training, the work with children,
and to begin to talk about foster care!
There are of course some regions who are doing foster care, but most
are not. They are excited to move
toward this, as a way to better help the children, and of course with the
ultimate goal for all children to have a family to call their own! In Novgorod, Dr. Maleiko shared that children in
orphanages, when asked about their future, said that they wanted a
family. Children when asked in foster
care wanted the same thing, but instead of just any family, they wanted the
family they were living with! Children
who were in foster care who were asked why they wanted a family, responded
with statements of emotional well-being such as feelings of security, stability,
etc. Those in orphanages responded
with material items such as a family could give them candy, toys, etc. When asked what they wanted to be when they
grew up, those in orphanages responded with careers they had seen in the
orphanage. Those in foster care
responded with a variety of careers as well as their wishes for society and
the world. Those in Foster care could
list 30-40 qualities of a family; those in orphanages could list only 3-4
qualities. Clearly, we know that
children grow better in families, than in institutions! The heart of these professionals who work with the
children in Russia was truly wonderful!
Often, they are terribly overworked!
Many places there is one guardianship worker for every 1,500
children! But they are so committed to
doing the best for each child and family!
One speaker said, “We need to return to the time when there was always
a place at the table for all—including deprived family members.” According to the newest 2002 data from the
Ministry of Education, 128,100 new orphans appeared in Russia in 2001. From these, 36,100 were institutionalized,
69,700 were placed in guardianship families, and 17,400 were adopted in
Russia (Mainly to step-parents, with the real figure for domestic adoption
being 7,400) and 5,800 were adopted abroad.
As you can see, Russia faces similar challenges as we in the US and China! The last night, we were entertained by a wonderful music
performance by children from 6 different orphanages titled “The Right for
Childhood, Happiness, and Laughter.” It
was of course the highlight of the conference! As well, as getting to visit an orphanage
the next day. The children are always
so wonderful….and of course I could not help but hope to help all the
children who performed to find families!
Let me know if you are interested in older kidsJ! This was my fourth trip to Russia since we began our
program there in 1996, and my 7th trip to the former Soviet Union
in the last 10 years. I must admit
that so much change as happened in these 10 years…the process is so much
better, the conditions are greatly improved, as are the orphanages, and the
care the children are receiving. Our
staff in Moscow, Tver, and Tomsk which I met were fabulous! It is wonderful to see the changes and to
know that each person really wants the best for each child! We consider it an honor and privileged to
partner with Russia in their ultimate desire to help every child have a
family! |
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A Message From Brenda
Barker |
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Of course we have so much to be thankful for this
Thanksgiving season…for family, for friends, and for each of you! Working with adoptive families and children
is such a rewarding experience, knowing that we are used of God to bring
together families. We count it a joy,
a privilege and a great responsibility!
Know that we want to do everything within our power to make your
adoption successful and to quickly unite you with your precious child! If we can ever do anything to help, please
do not hesitate to contact me at Brenda@childrenshopeint.org.
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. |
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Brenda |
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