http://chrisitianallianceblog.org Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:26:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A central conviction underlying the work of the Christian Alliance for Orphans is that Christians can’t answer God’s call to care for the fatherless via formal organizations alone.  Rather, meeting the deepest needs of an orphaned boy or girl requires the personal, wholehearted involvement of caring believers:  as foster parents ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=832 I spent the last two days in Louisville along with my trusted Alliance co-laborer, Elizabeth Wiebe, laying groundwork for Summit VII (May 11-13, 2011).  We came away full up with enthusiasm and certain there could not be a better location for next year’s Summit. Louisville is a beautiful city and will ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=828 Paul Pennington at Family Life’s Hope for Orphans shared this great news with us about stories and interviews recorded at Summit VI in Minneapolis: Monday, August 30th through Friday, September 3rd, Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman will be guests on FamilyLife Today.  As many of you know, the Chapmans adopted ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=825 Mike Gerson, former chief speechwriter to President Bush, has a tremendous column on international adoption in today’s Washington Post.  Mike has a reputation even among critics as not just a master communicator, but also both an incisive analyst of international issues and a devout Christian.  During work-related travel in Zambia, ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=821 This week the Alliance hosted the Post Placement Journey webinar.  Dr. Karyn Purvis and Amy Monroe provided practical insights and resources to equip adoption and foster care ministries to help families meet the challenges of loving, nurturing and building strong relationships with children from hard places. In case you missed ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=816 This week the Alliance Webinar Series hosted the Safe Families model.   Safe Families provides a transformational alternative to foster care that makes the homes of local Christians and their church community the center of care.  This model now serves more than 1,000 youth in the Chicago area each year, and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=802 Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being interviewed by a friend, Ken Coleman, the voice of the highly popular Catalyst podcast series.  Catalyst is a potent influencer of young pastors and other leaders, so it’s been exciting to see how Ken and other Catalyst leaders are using their ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=796 Last month marked the half-year anniversary since Haiti's catastrophic earthquake. Aside from the small uptick in coverage at the milestone, the eyes of the world have largely turned elsewhere: oil leaks, soccer matches, November elections. Of course, this was all but inevitable. The 24-hour news cycle is fueled by "new," ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=798 We just received this message from our good friend and co-laborer, Dan Cruver.  The Together for Adoption Conference is less than 2 months away, and it promises to be a rich time of instruction, fellowship and exploration of the ultimate motivation for adoption and orphan care:  God's loving pursuit and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=793 One of the slipperiest elements of orphan advocacy is the statistics often quoted to describe the number of orphans worldwide. These often-varying estimates are sometimes misstated and frequently misapplied. For example, the various global estimates (143 M, 145 M, 163 M, etc) are often quoted in ways that imply that all ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=790 Wednesday’s blog post noted the shortcomings of this week’s NY Times article on adoptions from Haiti.  That same article, however, also contained one small line of no small note for Christians who desire to see Christians again be known as a people who live out a sacrificial, Christ-honoring care for ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=787 Yesterday’s NY Times article on U.S. adoptions from Haiti was a mixed bag.  (My letter to the editor of the NY Times is below).  The article did raise many of the complex and difficult issues that come with inter-country adoption, including a number that adoption advocates of every stripe must ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=784 I had the privilege recently of guest blogging for our friends at Together for Adoption--some simple reflections on the way adoption and orphan care so often blend beauty and sorrow... _________________________________________________ Last weekend, my brother and I hiked deep into California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Our mission: to re-supply my father and his ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=781 New adoption statistics from Alliance member Bethany Christian Service brought cheers from orphan advocates this week.  As reported by Bethany and covered in the Christian Post, January to June 2010 was Bethany’s “highest-ever increase in adoption placements for a half-year period.” Bethany Christian Services reported that the combined international and domestic ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=776 It can be breathtaking to see all God is stirring for “the cause of the fatherless” on a broad scale, nationwide and beyond.  But most compelling of all are simply the individual stories of lives touched deeply through choices to open heart and home to orphans.  The truth is, adoption ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=770 Two write-ups on orphans in China came across my radar today.  Both carry special significance for people with a heart for China’s orphans. They also underscore a broader reality orphan advocates sometimes miss:  that the situation facing orphans in any given country can change markedly over time.  Drivers of change can ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=766 Today marks the six month anniversary of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake.   Aside from the small uptick of coverage surrounding the 6-month milestone, the eyes of the world havelargely  turned elsewhere:  to oil leaks, soccer matches and November elections.   Of course, this was all but inevitable.  The 24-hour news cycle is fueled ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=763 The last post highlighted the need for men, specifically, to catch up with our stalwart sisters in taking up the cause of the fatherless.  My own father—who embodies for me the blend of gentleness and strength that marks  a man fully committed to Christ—shared with me a song last week ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=760 A Time for Men It sometimes seems Christian men are ten steps behind the women in responding to God’s call to care for orphans, whether via adoption, foster care or global orphan care.  There’d be a lot to say about reasons why.   But whatever the cause, one thing is clear:  men ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=754 This week the Alliance hosted the first in its monthly webinar series for church orphan ministries.  The series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches. You can watch the webinar “How to Help without Hurting” here.  Alongside ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=742 It’s a beautiful thing.  For Christians who yearn to see the Church grow impassioned for the Gospel and the orphan, the newly-arrived July edition of Christianity Today is little short of thrilling.  The cover declares, Abba Changes Everything:  Why every Christian is called to rescue orphans. Inside, an excellent introduction ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=736 When Rachel and I traveled to pick up our adopted daughter, Eden, in Ethiopia, we had the chance to spend time at several orphanages.  One that particularly stuck with me is the Kolfe Orphanage in Addis Ababa, a home for older boys:  its battered building sit in dry, hardpan clay; ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=731 Cardus online carries the article, Crossing the Sahara. It explores a question that haunts many who care deeply about orphans, foster youth and other pressing needs:  Given the struggle and sorrow that mark so many attempts at bringing justice and mercy, is there really any motivation that can keep ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=727 This past weekend, my parents gave Rachel and me our first overnight away from 8-month old Lincoln.  As much as were missing the lad and his three older sisters, we can’t say it kept us from relishing the time together amidst California’s breathtaking redwood forests.  The quietude also provided a ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=724 One of the most thrilling things about a true movement is that new expressions of the “galvanizing conviction” start popping up everywhere.   That’s exactly what’s happening with conviction that God cares deeply for orphans and calls His people to do the same. It was just six years ago that the ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=721 Orphan ministry takes on a remarkable texture when it’s not just the parents doing it.  After church on Sunday, Rachel and I piled our brood into the minivan for an hour’s drive out to a small walnut farm, residence of Eric and Lisa Kjeldgaard and their six boys and two ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=718 Our good friends Dan Cruver and Jason Kovacs at Together for Adoption are building toward their national conference in Austin, TX on October 1-2.  Together for Adoption provides tremendous theological leadership in the realm of adoption and orphan care.  From their thoughtful blogging, to insightful instruction delivered at recent Summits, ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=715 Unwanted infants in ancient Rome were often disposed of via the practice of “exposing.” Whether undesirable because it was malformed, female or simply inconvenient, the child would be left alone, outside the city walls, without defense before glaring sun, icy winds or roving animals. In 374 AD, the Christian emperor ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=712 A good friend and member of the Alliance’s Church Orphan Ministry Advisory Council, Johnny Carr, has an op-ed on Ethiopian orphans in the Washington Post today. The piece highlights the vast need, warning “the future of Ethiopia's children is heading toward a crisis of epic proportion if measurable and immediate action ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=709 Following the controversy over the American woman who sent her adopted son back to Russia last month, the Washington Post ran a compelling op-ed on the plight of orphans in Russia--Adopted boy's return highlights problems in Russian orphanages. The author, chief of pediatric cardiology at the University of Massachusetts,  Darshak ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=706 Following a firestorm of response, the 700 Club has removed Pat Robertson’s commentary on adoption from the clip they’d initially posted.  (For those who feel the need to review his remarks, both the news report on Summit VI and the commentary by Robertson that follows is still accessible—embedded video below—beginning ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=701 Alongside a compelling news report on Summit VI, commentary from Pat Robertson on why Christians would…or would not…adopt is likely to stir serious controversy.   It’s worth watching the polite but highly-charged exchange between Robertson and co-host Terry Meeuwsen.  (Embedded at bottom of post). Many orphan advocates likely will wince as ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=695 A CBN headline news story today opened a poignant window into last month’s Summit VI and the rising tide of Christian commitment to orphans.  Commentary by Pat Robertson following the news segment, however, is likely to prod fierce discussion. The news report by Charlene Israel captured well the spirit of Summit ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=685 A feature story on Summit VI will air on the ABC Family Channel at 10 AM EST on Thursday May 20.  The story will also be streamed at www.cbnnews.com. Tune in to get a great re-cap of Summit, as well as many interviews even Summit attendees never saw... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=681 The Washington Post carried the remarkable story of Jelani Freeman last week, noted in the blog of our good friend Kerry Hassenbalg.  The twists and turns of Freeman’s story provide a window into the real-world texture of life in the U.S. foster system. The full story is worth the read, but ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=679 The National Foster Care Prayer Vigil takes place each May through collaborative efforts of a number of Christian Alliance for Organization members.  The Vigil invites followers of Christ to gather in communities across the country during the week of May 16-23 to pray on behalf of children in foster care, ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=677 It was late on the second day of Summit, but the crowd trying to cram into the large breakout room for Dr. Karyn Purvis’ session at Summit VI grew so big that the workshop had to relocate to the main stage area to accommodate everyone.   Clearly, the class offering had ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=675 John Piper answered this question in the closing session of Summit VI. If you missed this rousing message and call to faith-filled action, you can view it here. http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=672 Saddleback Church’s Civil Forum’s seek to engage world leaders, along with individuals from across the U.S., in meaningful discussion of issues of key global and national importance. The last Forum featured the much-discussed election-time conversations between Rick Warren and Presidential candidates Obama and McCain. On Monday night at ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=671 It’s been thrilling to see the blog posts across the Web sharing experiences from Summit VI.    A sampling is below.   (Note:  no one encouraged or solicited these!)  The posts speak for themselves, but one element that comes through powerfully in so many of the posts fills me with special wonder.  ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=668 I don’t believe I’ve ever seen God’s hand so evidently at work as at Summit VI last week.   So many people came ready to give much…and so many came ready to receive.  It seemed that everyone at Summit did both, and the resulting energy, enthusiasm and passion for Christ and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=665 Live-blogging by Dan Cruver (Together for Adoption). Join us at 7:30pm tonight to hear from Sergey Demidovich and John Piper. Summit VI: General Session with Sergey Demidovich and John Piper http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=659 Live-blogging by Dan Cruver (Together for Adoption): Summit VI: General Session with Dr. Al Mohler http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=656 Live-blogging by Dan Cruver (Director of Together for Adoption): Summit VI: General Session with Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=654 Join us at 8:30am CST. Live-blogging by Dan Cruver (Director of Together for Adoption): Summit VI: General Session with Tom Davis http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=649 The Minneapolis Lausanne Conversation, hosted by the the Christian Alliance for Orphans and the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism, officially kicks off SUMMIT VI tonight.  See video messages on the Lausanne site from Alliance President Jedd Medefind and a host of other Christian leaders from across the country.  We're thrilled ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=646 Summit VI is just days away, and energy and enthusiasm for the conference is running in high gear.  Meanwhile, the featured article today from Christianity Today’s highlights orphan care and adoption vis-a-vis recent events in Haiti. The article tags Summit as a key part of the Christian orphan movement, carrying a ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=643 Kay Warren pulled no punches at the Catalyst West conference yesterday.   "If we are doing little to nothing [to care for orphans], how dare we, how dare we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ," she said Friday. "Followers of Jesus Christ care about widows and orphans and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=640 April’s edition of Christian Today contains an important editorial on international adoption and the biblical call to care for the fatherless.  Significantly, the editorial holds together two elements that are sometimes falsely presented as being at odds with each other:  support of in-country orphan care efforts, alongside strong affirmation of ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=638 CNN is preparing to air a potent documentary on orphans in Haiti early next month.   The special, titled Rescued, will share the journey of Haitian orphans through the eyes of two children, also telling the story of American missionaries who’ve given their lives to serving Haiti’s orphans.  The stories and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=632 Our friends at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute have released their inaugural In Focus Report on the Adoption Tax Credit.  It provides an excellent background on the history of the adoption tax credit and its current impact.  Click here to read the report on the CCAI website. http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=629 Today is the last day to win the contest for a private reception and VIP Seats at the Steven Curtis Chapman Performance!  Email your points to info@christianalliancefororphans.org by the end of the day to enter. And do you have a friend who is still wondering if Summit VI is for them?  ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=624 The internet is abuzz—from Yahoo News to NPR to the Daily Beast—with the tragic controversy surrounding a single mother from Tennessee, who sent her adopted Russian son back to Russia, solo on a plane, claiming that he was acting out in ways she could no longer handle. The mother certainly merits ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=621 The New York Times reports on a significant new study released Wednesday that examines the lives of foster children who were never adopted and “aged out” of foster care into adulthood alone.  The findings echo those of prior studies, reminding that government is a poor substitute for parents, and underscoring ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=608 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced they will conclude their Special Humanitarian Parole Program for Haitian Orphans on April 14, 2010.  This special provision allowed for expedited immigration for children that had been determined to be orphans and officially matched with an adoptive family prior to Haiti’s earthquake.  ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=605 We’ve often quoted from and mentioned Tapestry Adoption and Foster Care Ministry on this blog.  This volunteer-led ministry at Irving Bible Church is among the most mature and substantive church orphan ministries in the nation.  They’ve just hit their five-year anniversary, and I must confess I’m blown away by all ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=602 I’ve noticed recently that orphan advocates are becoming increasingly aware of the interlink between orphans and human trafficking.  The simple reality is that a child that does not have the protection and provision provided by parents will be highly vulnerable to the deception, coercion and outright capture that can lead ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=599 Read the recent profile of the Christian Orphan movement and the Alliance from One News Now... The need is great, the call is clear Presently, more than 130 million orphans are estimated to be in the world. “Scripture is very clear that if we desire to ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=596 Al-Masyr Al-Youm (an Egyptian news site) today carries a fascinating article on the unique challenges facing orphans born in a Muslim nation.   While highlighting “Orphanage Day” (April 1)—created to remind Egyptians of the orphans in their midst—the article explains that none of Egypt’s estimated 50,000 orphans can expect the permanency ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=591 On the theme of innovative church orphan ministry ventures, I’ve been impressed by a new church-based child sponsorship program launched recently by the orphan ministry at Watermark Community Church in Dallas. Child sponsorship programs have the advantage of helping personalize the needs of children overseas by pairing individual American sponsors with ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=588 A significant AP article describes well both the big picture and the personal reality of the dramatic changes seen in adoptions coming from China over recent years.   Just a few years ago, most adoptions from China were of healthy, infant girls; and the wait time was often between 1-2 years ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=584 Can you think of moments when your heart has been stabbed by the plight of an orphan?  A short-term mission trip?  A story on CNN?   Something written by Tom Davis?  I’d say “yes” to all three. In such moments, I experience deep ache, sorrow…as well as gratitude that God has finally ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=581 In churches across America, entrepreneurial orphan advocates are creating remarkable local initiatives to engage their churches in caring for orphans.  One very significant such venture is “Hope for 100” at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX. Started by businessman Rocky Gill (yes, a true entrepreneur in both ministry and the ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=579 Towers magazine’s March 22 edition includes an interview with Alliance President Jedd Medefind on orphan care and adoption ministry and the church. TOWERS: If you were a pastor in a church wanting to promote an orphan care culture, what things would you do and say? MEDEFIND: You can always begin with ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=575 Amidst the intense controversy of the health care bill signed into law by President Obama yesterday, there’s at least one provision every orphan advocate can cheer.  The adoption tax credit was preserved for another year...and increased in value! To encourage and support adoption, the adoption tax credit was expanded by President ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=563 Russell Moore and the first-rate team at Southern have released the audio and video from their Adopting for Life Conference.  You can hear or see a keynote address from Alliance President Jedd Medefind, as well as tremendous content from a host of other presenters.  These include Dan Cruver, Maridel Sandberg, ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=540 CBS News providing a compelling window into the needs of foster youth in Montgomery, AL.   Some may read into the coverage an unnecessarily attempt to pit inter-country adoption against domestic adoption.   Even so, it raises a critical point:  families that find themselves freshly stirred by Haiti to the possibility of ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=536 Although a lengthy read, the following blog post paints a stark portrait of realities on the ground in Haiti, mingling anguish at the pain with reminders that we can act in meaningful ways on behalf of Haiti's people.  It  was written by Dieula Previlon, the  International Initiatives Pastor at Irving ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=479 For Christians committed to loving kids in the U.S. foster system, a story in today’s Denver Post may be one of the best news reports of the year.  The story recounts information conveyed on a prior Alliance blog post, describing how the number of children awaiting adoption in the Colorado ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=476 Two news items—one via blog and the other a newspaper report—came on the same day recently.  It would seem that their jarring contents must be coming from different parts of the world.  But both come from Haiti. From Paul Myhill’s blog: "I need to tell you something," the teary-eyed girl said ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=474 For individuals that care about the complex issues surrounding international adoption, this article by Philip Holmes is a must-read. While urging that significant caution and safeguards should be part of any approach to inter-country adoptions, Holmes lays bare many of the flawed (and sometimes disingenuous) reasons given for policies ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=471 It’s a relief to hear that the group of six Haitian orphans stopped this week while leaving for their adoptive families in the U.S. will be in their new homes soon.  One line from today’s AP story on the matter particularly struck me: “Police briefly detained the women [who’d been accompanying ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=466 The AP this weekend reported that all 33 of the children being transported out of Haiti by the arrested American group had living relatives.  This finding is being used, appropriately, to broadcast one very important point:  the importance of family reunification efforts.  Most children classified as “unaccompanied minors” following a ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=461 These words from an email sent me by a friend in Port-au-Prince highlight the struggle of those seeing the tragedy in Haiti firsthand, grappling with how to share what they are seeing with friends without appearing sensationalistic: I am struggling to find a balance to educate people.  Some things seem too ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=458 If you aren't already, I'd strongly encourage you to read the updates and snapshots of life on the ground in Haiti coming from the HORT Team.  As one team member emailed me yesterday, "Without exaggeration, I would have to say it is at least 20 times worse here than what ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=455 Dr. Karyn Purvis  is one of the nation’s foremost experts helping adoptive parents to connect fully with their children.  Dr. Purvis will be leading several highly-sought after workshops at Summit VI in Minneapolis, with topics that range from addressing the trauma orphans have faced to helping adopted children connect and ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=452 The Families for Orphans Act is currently before key committees in the U.S. House and Senate.  This bill would create a special office in the U.S. State Department charged with making sure that U.S. foreign aid policies and funds consistently emphasize the goal of ensuring children grow up in families.  ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=447 Join your prayers this weekend with the HORT Team as it begins its initial 2-week deployment to Haiti on Valentine’s Day.  (See here for other ways you can be involved as well.) It’s thrilling to see the ways so many Christian Alliance for Orphan s’ organizations and churches joining their strengths ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=443 If you haven’t seen it yet, Christianity Today’s interview with the U.S. State Department’s Michelle Bond is worthy reading for anyone weighing how best to care for Haiti’s orphans.  Overall, the perspective Bond articulates is wise and well-balanced.  She explains why adoption cannot be a primary focus immediately, why adoption ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=439 Our good friends at Project 1.27 shared some very encouraging news from Colorado yesterday.  According to the Colorado State Division of Child Welfare, the number of foster children in need of adoption has been reduced to only 365 for the entire state.  Just five years ago, that number sat at ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=436 Representative Pete Hoekstra’s has introduced, H.R. 4603 (the HOPE Act), designed to expand the reach of the Humanitarian Parole policy announced by the Department of Homeland Security on January 18.  This legislation is aimed at helping those Haitian orphans that are eligible for intercounty adoption but did not have a ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=433 The strategic efforts of the the H.O.R.T. initiative, set for initial deployment to Haiti on February 14, have been picked up by Yahoo! News.   It will be exciting to see how this  joint initiative of Christian Alliance for Orphans' member organizations, by focusing on church-centered response and recovery efforts, will ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=430 With all the discussion of misguided efforts to help in Haiti, the Chalmers Center at Covenant College is stepping forward with what will almost certainly be a tremendously helpful webinar series to help churches, relief agencies, and individuals think through how to best help the Haitian people to take ownership ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=427 An article in yesterday's Miami Herald captures one particularly heart-breaking edge of Haiti's pain:  the anguish of parents who feel they have no capacity to care for their own children.  Even as the first hints of "compassion fatigue" start to show and news programs flash images of Haiti a bit ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=424 The situation surrounding the arrest of the Idaho missions group in Haiti is highly significant--both for those involved, and symbolically.  As I expressed in a recent Christianity Today article, all who care about orphans should take strong lessons from what occurred. At the same time, this situation has also taken far ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=420 We've shared with you before on this blog about the remarkable "Safe Families" vision of Christian Alliance for Orphans' member Lydia Homes, led by Dr. David Anderson, in Illinois.  Dr. Anderson's "Safe Families" model allows families on the verge of having their children taken by the state to voluntarily allow ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=415 Jedd Medefind: Together 4 Adoption is part of the Alliance coalition that’s leading the Haiti Orphan Rescue Team. Tell us about it. Dan Cruver: God’s given the church the responsibility to care for orphans. Orphan care is in the church’s DNA. Sometimes it’s dormant.  But over the past 4-5 years ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=412 Join me on Twitter today at 1:30pm EST as I chat with Dan Cruver, Together for Adoption.  Follow @orphanalliance and @dancruver as we discuss the church response to Haiti.    Do you have questions or thoughts on this?  Tweet us! http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=409 As Haiti’s crisis unfolds, of top priority for the Christian Alliance for Orphans is to promote immediate response while also encouraging commitments that will last long after the TV cameras have turned to other matters. The Haiti Orphan Relief Team (HORT) is a collaborative effort of Alliance member organizations to do ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=406 Amidst the appropriate focus on Haiti’s orphans, it’s good to be reminded of the great need of children that don’t have families here in the U.S. as well.  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting Denise Kendrick, a remarkable Texan with a gracious presence and kind smile.  ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=402 Read today's Chrisitanity Today guest editorial from Alliance President Jedd Medefind on the Idaho Christian group arrested for taking orphans out of Haiti without authorization. Newswires buzzed recently with reports that a group of ten Americans from an Idaho-based Christian charity were arrested trying to transport 33 Haitian children into the ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=397 The Christian Science Monitor today includes further analysis of the efforts of ten Americans from an Idaho-based charity to bring 33 Haitian children out of the country.  The group was stopped at the border and arrested for seeking to remove the children without government approval. As quoted in the Monitor ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=392 Reuters is reporting that a group of ten Americans was stopped as they sought to cross the border from Haiti into the Dominican Republic with 33 Haitian children, ages 2 months to 10 years.   The Americans, who report being with New Life Children's Refuge, a charity based in Idaho, ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=388 As the UPI reported this morning, the Haitian government has suspended flights of orphans out of Haiti.  This apparently includes flights of children previously approved to travel under the agreement between the U.S. and Haitian governments that allowed an expedited travel-approval process for children previously matched for adoption with ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=385 Our friends Michael and Amy Monroe, who lead the Tapestry Adoption and Foster Care Ministry at Irving Bible Church, are always an excellent source of both information and discernment regarding adoption-related matters.  The email Tapestry sent today, pasted below, provides an insightful and appropriately-cautious overview of key issues regarding ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=381 A group of Congressional members supportive of adoption are working to create a streamlined system to match orphans from Haiti with U.S. families.  Helping to lead these efforts is Senator Mary Landrieu, a longtime adoption advocate.  Although the legislation championed by the group would focus first on Haitian ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=377 For many Christians stirred by Haiti’s pain, the most significant response will be one that lasts beyond the current crisis.  Every available resource should be focused on emergency care for now—but a deeper test of our concern will come over months ahead. Individuals who want to how ordinary people can make ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=373 Over the weeks ahead and beyond, we can expect a rising conflict over the issue of adoption and Haitian orphans. On one side will be those emphasizing large-scale models of response to human need led by government and globe-spanning NGOs.  While affirming international adoption in theory (at least as a “last ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=370 Martha Osborne at Rainbow Kids created a helpful synopsis of a call today hosted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Department of State (DOS) and other government agencies on the situation in Haiti related to orphans and adoption. A key excerpt: During the meeting today, it became apparent that ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=367 NPR’s Talk of the Nation today focused on Haiti’s orphans in an interview with our friend, Tom Difilipo, who heads the Joint Council on International Children's Services.  The show, titled “Where will All the Haitian Orphans Go?”,  addressed a number of important questions, including somewhat indirect references to an issue ... http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=364