And the wait continues...

I have been so encouraged and excited at the incredible amount of people that have had adoption placed on their heart! It has been is amazing to see families desire to love and care for kids that are in need and fulfill our calling as Christians to care for the orphans and the least of these. The longer I work here the more I see families living out this call and being active in their faith through this avenue.

As I mentioned before, we have several waiting kids from El Salvador and are slowly getting families for them. Right now we are waiting on updated file for their medical and social history for them. I am hoping that this wait won't be too much longer and that we will also get some pictures of the kids. We are patiently waiting for these updates although our hearts are really desiring to place these children in homes as soon as possible. I'll post an update with any new information that comes it, but as of now if you know of anyone interested they can email me and I'll send them the information that we have on the children. They are between the ages of 4-15. Have a great day!

International Adoption Info. Meeting

Just wanted to let you know that CAS is having their next International Adoption Informational Meeting next month on October 24th from 1-3pm. If you are at all interested in adoption this would be a great place to start and just gather information and have your questions answered. If you would like to join us, just give us a call at 704-847-0038. Hope you will join us!

Have you adopted from Latin America?

As I am waiting on the updated documents and pictures for the children we have had referred to us from El Salvador I am putting together a manual to help couples seeking to adopt from El Salvador. This manual includes specifics on our adoption process here at CAS, requirements for the Dossier completion, country information, travel information, post-adoption articles, etc. Although these are very helpful, I would like to get some personal stories from people that have adopted from El Salvador and get their opinion on what is needed and not needed. I know that a support group would be essential as new families start on this journey to adopt so my hope is that we can help get you guys connected here in the Charlotte area. So, if you, or someone you know, has adopted from El Salvador or any other Latin American country please shoot me an email. I would love to get together and hear your story so that I can better prepare these families and better care for these children. (caselsalvador@gmail.com)

A Little History

As I start this blog, I want to give you a little history on myself as well as Christian Adoption Services, Inc. and why the start of this program is so significant to the agency and myself.

I am currently a grad student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC getting a Masters in Christian Counseling. For years now I have had a great passion for children and adolescents and their care. Along side this passion, I have also grown very aware of the many problems they face both here in the US and abroad and the lack of awareness that exits. After doing urban ministry in Durham, NC for a few years and going to Costa Rica on work projects, my desire to be a voice for those that don't have one has grown.

As I prepared for my move back to Charlotte to begin school, I knew I wanted to work in a field that would allow me to use my giftedness with children/adolescents and my love for the Latin culture and language...so, CAS came along. What struck me most as I researched the agency and spoke with Jim Woodward, the Executive Director, was that their focus was not to find a child that fits a family, but a family that fits the child. Their focus on the child first was huge. Their desire is to make sure that the child that is waiting will get the perfect family that will meet his/her needs from a physical, emotional and spiritual aspect.

As Jim started telling me more about their initiative to start a program to adopt out of El Salvador, it became clear that this was a place that all of my skills were finally coming into play along with the passions that the Lord has put on my heart.

To make things more interesting, the country of El Salvador is the reason that CAS even exists. In 1979, as a result of the success that Doris Woodward had in facilitating adoptions from her native country (El Salvador), the agency came into being. And now we have come full circle. You may be asking why I am saying that it is a new program. Well, many years ago, due to the civil war in El Salvador, the country was closed. Now, as it has opened back up, we would like to make the full circle and come back to serving the country and the children that help found this organization.

So, with that said, it has been an adventure and I am growing and learning more and more each day as I work here at CAS. We have gotten 7 referrals and are extremely excited about finding families for these children. Here are the gender and ages of the children we have and if you would like more information on them and on our agency please contact me at caselsalvador@gmail.com

Waiting Children:
Male - 9 years old
Male - 15 years old
Male Sibling group (2) - 10 & 14 years old
Female Sibling group (2) - 7 & 12 years old
Male - 4 years old
Male Sibling group (2) - 12 & 13 years old

We are currently waiting on updated social and medical histories on these children and photographs. I will post additional information on adoptions soon.