A DIFFERENT…A NEW…AN ENLARGED…ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
(Christian Adoption contributes articles for publication. This is an initial article.)
Fall 1998
We couldn't decide what to name this series of articles. We have discovered that discussing this topic with people in general results in those that are "for" and those that are "against". For those folks that are "for" the placement of children with adoptive couples, also known as adoption, we hope to enlarge your understanding and perspective. For those that are "against" adoption, it is our hope that we provide a new, a different, and another perspective.
My name is Deborah Hill and I represent Christian Adoption, a non-profit Christian and Internet service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption process. As of this writing, we have been online for 27 months and we have helped 36 families successfully adopt children here in the United States. We are not an agency nor are we attorneys, facilitators, social workers, and/or licensed counselors. We are a listing service on the Internet that helps Christian Couples/Families successfully adopt children. We are a fundamental Christian service supporting the Biblical viewpoint, that a husband and a wife are the core of the family unit. Our service is like a fish swimming upstream in the adoption arena. We give God the glory and the praise, and focus on education and prayer support for those that list with us. Our objective in writing a series of articles about adoption is not to solicit new clients, God has faithfully sent them to us, as well as provided the infants and children for them to adopt. It is our prayer that we provide the reader with a greater understanding about the adoption process in the United States. Our instructors in education have been God, life experience, and the ever so unpopular school of hard knocks! We have "been there and done that" from just about every angle.
Some of the topics we will be sharing in this series include:
Who are facilitators? What are the steps of the adoption process? Why would a birthmother place her child with an adoptive couple/family? How to find a social worker to perform a home study. What is an open or a closed adoption? How do adoptive couples find attorneys? How can an adoption scam be avoided? Can a birthmother take her child away from an adoptive couple, how and when? Questions adoptive families should consider asking themselves. What is the rule of 25? How much time is needed to complete an adoption? Adoption and credit cards, as well as adoption mortgages--what is that about? How do birthmothers find the right couple for placement? What options in adoption does a birthmother have? What are the birthmother's/birthfather's rights? Adoption for the infertile couple, it is a progression of thought. How to cross check attorneys, birthmother leads, and adoption paperwork. What is the difference between domestic and international adoption? How a couple can protect themselves while pursuing adoption. What are the 5 most common ways to adopt? What is independent or private adoption? What does Bi-racial mean in adoption? What rights do birthgrandparents have regarding the placement of their grandchild?
We think the mass media has misguided the American public regarding adoption. In general, we are led to believe that most placements fail, when 90% of these adoption placements do succeed. We are also led to think that children are readily available to adopt with ease and little expense. When in reality, the average waiting time for placement is 1-2 years, with an average domestic cost of $12,000.00-$18,000.00. Another general misnomer is that anyone can adopt regardless of his or her age, their financial condition, their marital, and/or family status. In reality though, the cut-off age for most agencies is 40; there are financial minimums depending on the adoption method used; children are now placed more quickly with those exercising an alternate lifestyle over the heterosexual marriage unit; and those families that already have children (biological or adopted) are often placed at the bottom of the 'seeking to adopt' list. With these facts in mind, the adoptive couple is often discouraged and senses defeat before they ever start. However, we found through our own trial and error, but more importantly through God's grace and mercy that adoptions can and do succeed. With His help, Christian couples can stand upon His Word and enjoy the victory of a successful adoption. There is light at the end of the adoption tunnel. It is not in any agency, organization, attorney, or individual, but in Him.
We at Christian Adoption do not claim to have all the answers or solutions to the complexity of the adoption issue. However, it is our hope that we will reach out and touch some of our reader audience. We welcome any relevant queries, suggestions, and comments. We acknowledge that the subject and process of adoption is an emotional, challenging, bittersweet roller coaster ride. Like the carnival roller coaster ride, the desire to successfully adopt is not for the faint in heart. It is our prayer that this series of articles provides encouragement, education, and ultimately an enlightened perspective of the adoption process.
We humbly thank the editor of this publication for the opportunity to share our knowledge with others, and perhaps help birthmothers, birthfathers, birth families, adoptive couples, and families.
For more information please read
Waiting
and
Time
Clock. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering
with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
