Decrease in International Adoptions

According to the January/February 2009 issue of Adoptive Families magazine there has been a decrease in international adoptions. It reports that:

the number of intercountry adoptions to the U.S. fell 12 percent in the past year—from 19,613 to 17,438—to reach the lowest level since 1999, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. The largest drop was from China, due to tighter restrictions on foreign adoptions. Ethiopia adoptions, however, are on the rise, and experts expect increases in other African and Latin American countries in the next year.

Top 10 countries 2007:
China - 5,453
Guatemala - 4,728
Russia - 2,310
Ethiopia - 1,255
Korea- 939
Vietnam- 828
Ukraine- 606
Kazakhstan - 540
India - 416
Liberia - 314

2008:
Guatemala- 4,123
China- 3,909
Russia - 1,861
Ethiopia - 1,725
Korea- 1,065
Vietnam - 751
Ukraine- 457
Kazakhstan- 380
India - 307
Colombia - 306

Heart Gallery Gala

Celebrate true love this Valentine's Day

Looking for the true meaning of love this Valentine's Day?
You can share true love this Valentine's Day by committing to join us (if you haven't done so already!) at our Heart Gallery Gala on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at The Rosen Plaza in Orlando. Start your Valentine's day with the one you love early and give back to those that need your love the most. On this special night, we will unveil The 2009 Heart Gallery of Metro Orlando, an innovative, gallery-style photo exhibit that highlights children in Central Florida's foster care system who are available for adoption.

By participating in this extraordinary evening, which includes a formal dinner, live and silent auctions and amazing celebrity entertainment you won't soon forget, you can help these special children find safe and loving homes with their forever families.

There's not much time left, so please call us now at 407.398.7975 or visit
http://www.heartgallerymetroorlando.org/ to reserve your seat at this extraordinary event. Chocolates will be eaten, your cards will be put away, but your experience at The Heart Gallery annual gala will live on in your heart for months to come.

Please support our goal of Giving every child a Childhood and register to attend today!

Heart Gallery Gala
The Rosen Plaza, Orlando
Thursday, February 12, 2009
6pm - 10pm

Your Night Will include:
- Formal Dinner
- Live Entertainment
- Silent and Live Auctions
- Open Bar
- "Celebrity" Guests
- Surprises and Much More!

Straight from the Heart Individual Tickets ............... $125

Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can make the difference in a life of a child.
Blessings for a great day.

Kathleen Hawkins
www.heartgallerymetroorlando.org

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

The Christian Alliance for Orphan Summit V will be held April 30 & May 1, 2009 at Irving Bible Church in Dallas, Texas.

According its website,

Summit V is an opportunity to worship God by learning about how He is caring for orphans around the world through His people... and how YOU can join Him. Detailed breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities have been designed to equip the lay person, the church pastor & the orphan care worker with tangible steps they can take to love the orphan in their home, in their church, and through trusted organizations.

For more information and to register: http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/summit/