What is the "A" word? Adoption. We are called to be a host family this summer. At this point, we truly feel that's our calling from God and that He has a plan for V*ktor. Could His plan include us adopting him? I really don't think so, but I don't know. I've kind of learned not to say never. Honestly, though, that is not our intention. However, it is EXTREMELY important that the word adoption not even be discussed in his presence for any reason. We ask that you respect that rule as well. Below I am copying and pasting exerpts from other people's blogs and our training manual, but it will get across why.
"New Horizons is not an adoption agency. They are a hosting program only and any mention of the word adoption jeopardizes their program. And while it is true that 65% of the children who are hosted this summer will go on to be adopted by families in the United States it is not beneficial to the children for adoption to be discussed in their presence. The ONLY thing they have been promised is a summer in America. They are essentially going on a 5 week vacation to another country, that is it! They all know they will be returning to their own countries once the 5 weeks are up! The only thing worse than a child living in an orphanage is having hopes raised that their life is going to change, they will be adopted, and then they are not. More often than not, children who are told they are being adopted, or being led to believe this, are the same ones WHO ARE NOT EVER ADOPTED.
You may think the kids do not understand any English, but they may have actually picked up on various parts of the conversations. We've been asked to be super proactive in letting others know this rule before we run into a problem.
In the past, slip ups have occurred in the following ways and have really caused heartache:
In the concept of discussing a pet's "adoption" a child heard the word and didn't realize it was in relation to a pet. He thought it was for him. It wasn't :(
When attending a church service, the pastor was so excited to welcome the hosted children present, he asked for church members to pray that each child would get adopted.
When a mom was driving down the road with music playing, she thought her hosted child couldn't understand, so she called someone and discussed adoption of the child. The child heard and soon spread the "news" to others at group events that they were all being adopted."
Please help us to protect V*ktor. We appreciate your help in this matter! Well, that's the really important stuff. The rest is just my final ramblings, so you don't have to read any further if you don't want :)
Only 3 days left until he gets here! He will actually get on a plane in less than 36 hours - and may be travelling by bus or other mode of transportation for several hours before that! Please continue to pray for him, for any anxieties he is feeling, and for us that we would be prepared to give him the best experience possible. I finally have his room 100% ready. LOL - I'm looking at the living room, though, and it's full of stuff that came out of his room. Oh well, I still have a few days :) I just finished the sign to welcome him at the airport. Actually, to be fair, I should say "we" finished it. Brian cut out almost all of the hands :) He has been sound asleep since I started gluing, though! I'm going to let the kids draw on the white parts tomorrow.
Somewhere around here is a list of all the things I still need to get and do. At the moment, I can't really remember much except that it's only THREE DAYS AWAY!!!! YIKES!
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
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