Adoptive Families magazine profiled singer Steven Curtis Chapman in their June 2009 issue.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
MAPP Class Starting Soon
If you're interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting from the foster care system, you are required to take a 10-week MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) class. There's a new one starting May 12 in the Winter Garden area on Tuesday evenings. If you would like to join or would like more information contact Debbie at gstddt@mac.com
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Couple that Didn't Let a Disability or Their Age Prevent Them From Ministry
Sometimes Words Are Needless
Unique ministry opportunities are often available when you least expect it.
Unique ministry opportunities are often available when you least expect it.
After completing 40 years in their respective careers as caterer and teacher, they knew God wasn’t through with them. Sensing God’s direction, Marie, on her 60th birthday, flew to Lusaka, Zambia, Central Africa, to assess needs of teachers and students.
She returned home and began writing a curriculum for children at risk. She developed teacher training seminars and raised money for African schools.
Mike, a double amputee, found his heart touched by the many disabled people he saw in Africa, where disabled people are often perceived as having little value and are cast off with minimal help from the government. In response to the need they saw, Mike and Marie developed a non-profit ministry called Africa Village Classrooms. Their work grew to include evangelistic remote villages and the adopting of 50 orphans.
Mike is happy to say, “God took my feet and told me to go!” When he puts his arms around a little handicapped child, words are needless. He is in that moment the personification of Christ’s love.
Mike and Marie are currently working in conjunction with a local church in Wamala, Uganda, where two classrooms have been built with a church alongside.
Seventeen AIDS orphans reside there. The school has 65 students. It is beautifully equipped with a Christ-centered curriculum that is heuristic in its approach to learning (learning by discovery, invention, creative thinking, as in “Eureka, I found it!”).
Mike now serves on the National Council to the Disabled, a Ugandan government committee chartered with the task of improving the plight and status of disabled people.
Through the generosity of American Christians, wheelchairs, surgeries, and other helps are being provided. A school for the blind has been established in Wamala.
Mike and Marie joyfully watch God raise people up from the dirt to being able to walk or use a wheelchair.
For the future, they are planning a children’s village that will include a guest house and dining area for teams who come to assist in ministry. Small homes for orphans will be built with a widow as the “house mama.” A farm and vegetable garden, schools, and career development center will help the home become self-sustaining.
At age 67, the Meaney’s say they are still having the time of their life. Has it been difficult?
“Oh yes,” they say, “but every difficulty is far outweighed by blessing. We know the source of our strength and resources. It is Acts 1:8. ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses …’”
by Ward Tanneberg
Photo Contest for Adopted Children from China
US-China News Media Foundation Press Release - “My School, My Home” Photo Contest for Adopted Children from China
The US-China News Media Foundation, the US-China Cultural Exchange Association and the Gladney Center for Adoption are jointly organizing the “My School, My Home” photo contest for adopted children. They hope to gain a realistic glimpse of the lives of adopted children through their own eyes. The winning photos will be featured in a book published in both China and United States.
The organizers require any eligible photo to accurately reflect aspects of the adoptee’s life such as education, family, and situations at school. For example, photos can reflect the adoptee’s impression of their adopted parent, teachers or friends, experiences growing up, or memorable people or events. Photos must be realistic depictions of actual events. Parents may submit on behalf of those adoptees too young to submit themselves.
According to contest rules, both digital photo files and actual photo prints from film are acceptable. Photos must be original with no limitation on style or color. An individual may submit up to a maximum of five photos. Digital photos must meet a minimum size requirement of 1MB and actual photo prints must measure 8” x 10” or 8” x 12”. Please write down your contact information on the back of each photo, and indicate on the envelope it is for the “My School, My Home Photo Contest”. The contest does not accept negatives and there is no fee to enter. The contest will run until June 15, 2009 and all entries must be postmarked on or before that day. Entries may be sent by email to: usmyhome@gmail.com or mailed to P.O. BOX 541518, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Attention US MY HOME.
Please direct your questions to Mr. Gongzhan Wu at usmyhome@gmail.com.
The US-China News Media Foundation, the US-China Cultural Exchange Association and the Gladney Center for Adoption are jointly organizing the “My School, My Home” photo contest for adopted children. They hope to gain a realistic glimpse of the lives of adopted children through their own eyes. The winning photos will be featured in a book published in both China and United States.
The organizers require any eligible photo to accurately reflect aspects of the adoptee’s life such as education, family, and situations at school. For example, photos can reflect the adoptee’s impression of their adopted parent, teachers or friends, experiences growing up, or memorable people or events. Photos must be realistic depictions of actual events. Parents may submit on behalf of those adoptees too young to submit themselves.
According to contest rules, both digital photo files and actual photo prints from film are acceptable. Photos must be original with no limitation on style or color. An individual may submit up to a maximum of five photos. Digital photos must meet a minimum size requirement of 1MB and actual photo prints must measure 8” x 10” or 8” x 12”. Please write down your contact information on the back of each photo, and indicate on the envelope it is for the “My School, My Home Photo Contest”. The contest does not accept negatives and there is no fee to enter. The contest will run until June 15, 2009 and all entries must be postmarked on or before that day. Entries may be sent by email to: usmyhome@gmail.com or mailed to P.O. BOX 541518, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Attention US MY HOME.
Please direct your questions to Mr. Gongzhan Wu at usmyhome@gmail.com.
The Importance of the Threatened Guardian ad Litem Program from Judges' Perspective
This is an editorial published in the Orlando Sentinel written by two Florida judges -
Statewide, the Guardian ad Litem Program ensures that the voices of some 27,000 abused, abandoned and neglected children in our state are heard and not forgotten. But the voices of those children may soon be lost if the 23 percent cut suggested by the Florida House is finalized. The Department of Children and Families, for example, had to remove twins 'Jane' and 'John' from their drug-addicted mother for extreme neglect because she frequently left them alone while prostituting. The judge gave the mother a case plan and an opportunity to attempt to get clean. The court appointed a volunteer guardian ad litem to keep in touch with the children and report on their best interests. The guardian made frequent visits to the children at their various foster homes over the next three years as the mother beat her drug addiction, got the kids back and then relapsed. During that time, judges rotated through the courtroom, DCF case managers came and went, and Jane and John went to different homes. No one in the system except the guardian ad litem knew these children. The guardian could tell their story and convince the new judge it was time for an adoptive family. Kids without guardians are often not so lucky. Now the Legislature is considering a $7.6 million dollar cut to the program statewide that would eliminate the positions of 150 paid employees who support the guardian volunteers that children rely on to safeguard their interests. In Orange County, the staff of the Guardian ad Litem Program supports approximately 400 lay and attorney volunteers who donate their time to be a voice for children in the courtroom. These volunteers rely on the staff to give them the tools they need to advocate for children. If passed, the budget reduction would force the program to substantially reduce the indispensable support system that volunteers rely on. Not only would this be a tremendous loss for the children, but it would create a gaping hole in the judicial process. Judges are charged with making life and death decisions for these children, and in making these decisions they can't afford to lose their voices in making those decisions. If guardians are lost, the judges will no longer hear from these totally independent advocates whose only purpose in the courtroom is to give judges information on what is in the best interest of the children. Judges rely on guardians to help them make sure the children don't get lost in the system.The Legislature has said every child should have a guardian, but there has never been enough funding to provide that. By drastically cutting funds to an already underfunded mandate, we move backward in our effort to protect the children of Florida.
Maura Smith and Daniel Dawson are circuit judges in Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpmyword26smith042609apr26,0,6604381.column
Statewide, the Guardian ad Litem Program ensures that the voices of some 27,000 abused, abandoned and neglected children in our state are heard and not forgotten. But the voices of those children may soon be lost if the 23 percent cut suggested by the Florida House is finalized. The Department of Children and Families, for example, had to remove twins 'Jane' and 'John' from their drug-addicted mother for extreme neglect because she frequently left them alone while prostituting. The judge gave the mother a case plan and an opportunity to attempt to get clean. The court appointed a volunteer guardian ad litem to keep in touch with the children and report on their best interests. The guardian made frequent visits to the children at their various foster homes over the next three years as the mother beat her drug addiction, got the kids back and then relapsed. During that time, judges rotated through the courtroom, DCF case managers came and went, and Jane and John went to different homes. No one in the system except the guardian ad litem knew these children. The guardian could tell their story and convince the new judge it was time for an adoptive family. Kids without guardians are often not so lucky. Now the Legislature is considering a $7.6 million dollar cut to the program statewide that would eliminate the positions of 150 paid employees who support the guardian volunteers that children rely on to safeguard their interests. In Orange County, the staff of the Guardian ad Litem Program supports approximately 400 lay and attorney volunteers who donate their time to be a voice for children in the courtroom. These volunteers rely on the staff to give them the tools they need to advocate for children. If passed, the budget reduction would force the program to substantially reduce the indispensable support system that volunteers rely on. Not only would this be a tremendous loss for the children, but it would create a gaping hole in the judicial process. Judges are charged with making life and death decisions for these children, and in making these decisions they can't afford to lose their voices in making those decisions. If guardians are lost, the judges will no longer hear from these totally independent advocates whose only purpose in the courtroom is to give judges information on what is in the best interest of the children. Judges rely on guardians to help them make sure the children don't get lost in the system.The Legislature has said every child should have a guardian, but there has never been enough funding to provide that. By drastically cutting funds to an already underfunded mandate, we move backward in our effort to protect the children of Florida.
Maura Smith and Daniel Dawson are circuit judges in Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edpmyword26smith042609apr26,0,6604381.column
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tom Davis in Ethiopia
Tom Davis is currently visiting orphanages in Ethiopia. You can follow along on his blog - http://tomdavis.typepad.com/tom_daviss_blog/
Speak Out in Support of Florida's Guardian ad Litem Program
Guardian ad Litems are court-appointed child advocates for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. GALs fight for children to get the services they need, they push the system to get children into safe, permanent homes faster, and they provide independent information to the court and advocate for child-focused decisions. Without a GAL the children navigate the system without an independent advocate of their own.
The GAL program is in serious jeopardy due to state budget cuts. Current budget proposals reduce GAL funding by $7.6 million, meaning that over 5,700 abused and neglected children will have no one to represent their best interests in dependency proceedings. Please contact the legislatures in Tallahassee and let them know that this is unacceptable. Here is a link with some talking points to help you with your phone calls/emails - http://www.flgal.org/TP-Conference-041509.pdf. More information can be found at the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation site at http://www.flgal.org/index.php.
The GAL program is in serious jeopardy due to state budget cuts. Current budget proposals reduce GAL funding by $7.6 million, meaning that over 5,700 abused and neglected children will have no one to represent their best interests in dependency proceedings. Please contact the legislatures in Tallahassee and let them know that this is unacceptable. Here is a link with some talking points to help you with your phone calls/emails - http://www.flgal.org/TP-Conference-041509.pdf. More information can be found at the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation site at http://www.flgal.org/index.php.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
US to Africa Project - 25 for 25
About two-thirds of the children in the West African country of Mali never finish elementary school, but Keeth Elementary School in Winter Springs wants to change that. This year, Keeth began a partnership with African Sky (http://www.africansky.org/ )to build a "Keeth Elementary" in Mali. Now, over half way to their $11,000 goal, they want to finish the project and start something beautiful. You can help. Through their "25 for 25" you can celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Keeth Elementary by helping them build another Keeth Elementary on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. By giving $25 to their US to Africa Project, you will expand the influence of this place they deeply love. How to donate: buy "bricks" for $1 each, or make a donation of $25 for 25 years . . .all to benefit the Mali project.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tickets Are Still Available for the "Night Of Champions" presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Danny Wuerffel, The Tebow Family, Kirk Herbstreit, Comedian Kenn
Kington, and Ritchie McDonald, lead singer of Lonestar will be at the Jacksonville Arena on May 8th from 7:00 - 9:30.
The Night of Champions is an event for the whole family that will focus
on "Building a Legacy Worth Leaving". This message will be conveyed
through comedy, music and inspirational messages from our special
guests. To purchase tickets for only $15, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and search
Night of Champions.
Kington, and Ritchie McDonald, lead singer of Lonestar will be at the Jacksonville Arena on May 8th from 7:00 - 9:30.
The Night of Champions is an event for the whole family that will focus
on "Building a Legacy Worth Leaving". This message will be conveyed
through comedy, music and inspirational messages from our special
guests. To purchase tickets for only $15, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and search
Night of Champions.
Proceeds from the event will benefit three great causes:
1. The local chapter of FCA.
2. Desire Street Ministries - http://www.desirestreet.org/
3. The Bob Tebow Evangelistic Ass - whose mission is to take the Gospel to those who have never heard it in the Philippines - preaching the Gospel, planting churches, establishing a staff of Filipino national evangelists, and supporting their orphange there - http://www.btea.org/
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Seeking Donations for Ugandian Children
Brandi M. of Westwood Church leaves for Uganda in a little over a week to minister to the children there. She is collecting pencils, pencil sharpeners, toothbrushes, toothpase paste, and underwear to take to them. She is also collecting money for other needs such as food for the child-headed households who are in the midst of a famine, mosquito nets, etc. .
You can easily donate via Paypal by visiting her site: http://www.brandisthoughts.com/.
You can easily donate via Paypal by visiting her site: http://www.brandisthoughts.com/.
Madonna Raising Awareness Of The Extreme Poverty of Malawi's Orphans and Children
Celebrity Madonna has produced and narrated a documentary entitled, I Am Because We Are, which explores the lives of children in Malawi who have been orphaned by the AIDS crisis. It is now available to view for free on Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/watch/64450/i-am-because-we-are). (Running time is two hours.)
Here is the documentary's official site: http://www.iambecauseweare.com/.
In addition to creating this documentary, Madonna also co-founded Raising Malawi, which is dedicated to bringing an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's 2 million orphans and vulnerable children. It's website states, Raising Malawi supports community based organizations that provide orphans and vulnerable children with nutritious food, proper clothing, secure shelter, formal education, targeted medical care, and emotional support. In addition, Raising Malawi supports non-government organizations that offer impoverished families with innovative opportunities for sustainability.
You can find out more at https://www.raisingmalawi.org/whoweare09.php
Guardian Ad Litem program in Jeopardy due to Budget Cuts
Darryl E. Owens of the Orlando Sentinel tells how children will be the ones to lose as a result of state budget cuts.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-owens-041109,0,881728.column
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-owens-041109,0,881728.column
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Tom Davis Event
There was a terrific turnout for the CGC -sponsored event to hear Tom Davis. 
Tom reminds us that:
- The apostle James wrote that caring for orphans and widows is the very essence of religion. (Pure and faultless [religion] is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27)
Christians have been remiss in their duty to care for the fatherless. He cites as proof:
There are 143 million orphans in the world today. Every 5 seconds a child dies due to hunger. More than 1 million children are trafficked every year as sex slaves and another 8.4 million are enslaved. There are over 2.3 million children living with HIV. Yet Evangelical Christians are less likely than are non-Christians to give money and assistance to AIDS-related causes. There are 2.1 billion professed Christians living on earth. In the U.S. 159 million claim to be Christians. If only 7% of professing Christians responded to God's call to care for the fatherless, all 143 million orphans would have a home.
You don't need to be rich or powerful to help the poor. There are many, many little things you can do to help the widows and fatherless. In fact, as a Christian, Gods expects this of you.
There's another chance to see Tom tonight (Saturday, April 4) at 6:00 pm
at Westwood Church, 4412 N. Apopka-Vineland Rd. in Orlando.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Africa A New Hot Spot For Western Adoptions
This is an AP story on NPR.org from April 1, 2009 -
Africa A New Hot Spot For Western Adoptions
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102616179
Africa A New Hot Spot For Western Adoptions
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102616179
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Blessings of a special-needs adoption
A moving account of a journalist's experience with a special-needs adoption from China, published in Christianity Today:
Taking a Chance on Fu Yang
A photojournalist discovers God's surprises through one special-needs child.
By Louis DeLuca
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/february/33.38.html?start=1
Taking a Chance on Fu Yang
A photojournalist discovers God's surprises through one special-needs child.
By Louis DeLuca
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/february/33.38.html?start=1
Alternatives to Orphanages
Here's an article by Roger Olsen in Christianity Today (Jan. 5, 2009) entitled, How to Help Orphans - Orphanages are not always the best answer.
http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/january/12.63.html
http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/january/12.63.html
Child Trafficking in Liberia
Here's a story from Frontpage Africa about how international adoption has led to child trafficking in Liberia.
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=8387&z=2
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=8387&z=2
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