"No Way!"

The Forenz Family Adoption Story

With six beautiful children by the miracles of both birth and adoption, we felt our family was complete. But in 2008, we started to feel a persistent but gentle nudge from God to adopt again. After a lot of prayer and soul searching, we decided on the country of Ethiopia. We were planning on adopting one child, maybe two, under age 6. My husband John and I were in total agreement that we did not feel like we were supposed to adopt an infant, which is strange, since I always thought I would want more babies. We had absolutely no intention of adopting older children.

For some reason I couldn't resist looking at the photo listing. Seven pages of children... probably 50-60 children total in the listing. It broke my heart to see these children, some with hopeful smiling faces, some shy, some sullen, some sad and withdrawn, all older or part of a sibling group. Then three little girls caught my eye: ages 3, 10 and 13. I instantly thought, "No way, they are too old, there are three of them! I can't handle three more. They probably have background issues, and they don't know English! No way!" I closed the page and walked away. Later, my daughter Sarah, who is 15, said, "Mom, did you see the three girls on page six?" She gave me a knowing smile as I muttered "no way" and continued cooking dinner... Read More »

Helping China's Children: the Hope Project

UNICEF estimates that there are 133 million orphans in the world today - each one has a face. CWA has been chosen by the China Center for Adoption Affairs to place over 40 of these children in loving families. These are the latest children who are a part of the Hope Project – finding homes for special needs and older children. Ranging in age from 1 to 13, parents have the unique opportunity to look at photos and see videos of these children, and choose a child to adopt. These children will be available in May 2009, and parents may go ahead and complete the eligibility and request forms on the CWA website. Help us provide hope to children in need. There is also a Hope Project for Ethiopia, and CWA hopes to launch Hope Project Ukraine very soon! Read More »

A Bittersweet Journey

After bringing Abigail home from China, we set goals to attain our second daughter, Sarah. Having experienced the adoptive journey, we felt comfortable with most of the pitfalls. But we were to learn another lesson turning our faith, expectation, and experience into an amateurish nightmare. From the beginning, we encountered unexpected time delays, a second home study, and another trip to the INS, furthering frustration, and expense.

It seemed out of the blue Christian World Adoption called with news of Sarah's referral. This news came with an unexpected immediacy; be ready to travel in 2-3 weeks. The goal: travel to China and return before Chinese New Year. Travel plans went smoothly, but unknown to us we were traveling into the jaws of largest snowstorm to hit central China in 50 years... Read More »

From an Ethiopian Road to North Carolina

Local School Raises Money for Acacia Village Ethiopia

By Jessica Smartt

"Times are tough." The phrase is repeated so often in the midst of foreclosures and layoffs, it's easy to forget what real poverty looks like.

Students, faculty, and families from SouthLake Christian Academy got a dose of international perspective on February 19 when the school welcomed Stephne Bowers, representative from Christian World Adoption (CWA) in Ethiopia.

"If people went to Ethiopia," Bowers told the 900-plus student body, "they would never again worry about money." In the Ethiopian villages where Stephne serves at three orphanages, 98% of people live below poverty level, subsisting on less than ten cents a day.

Bowers' long-anticipated visit was the culmination of November's "Missions Week" at SouthLake to raise funds for CWA. While SouthLake regularly raises money for missions, the Acacia Village fundraiser was unique. When SouthLake students Alex Hutcheson and Charlotte Smith presented a check to Bowers and Christian World Foundation's Director of Development, Louis Fawcett, it marked the first time students personally presented money to an organization.

Specifically, the $10,000 that the school raised will supply one classroom in the massive Acacia Village to be located west of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Expected to begin housing orphans in 2010, Acacia Village will also provide a hospital, school classrooms, a small medical clinic, and pregnancy care center, and temporary housing for families adopting through CWA and for mission groups. The entire Acacia Village project is estimated to cost $3.6 million.

"The reality of living in Ethiopia is nothing but life and death," said Bowers. Without Acacia Village, most orphans in Ethiopia currently end up abandoned, begging by the roadside, or, if they're lucky, in the arms of Stephne Bowers. "It is not uncommon for us to have four newborns sleeping on our kitchen table," she stated. "We must change the cycle of orphans. God cannot bless a nation if they continue to throw children away."

Of the $3.6 million needed for the project, over $650,000 has been raised. CWA is encouraging other schools, churches, or families to consider organizing fundraising events such as SouthLake's. As the SouthLake community was reminded, while we Americans are clipping coupons and renovating our resumes, a staggering number of children across the world wake up without parents, homes, or their next meal.

SouthLake Upper School Principal Phillip Horton, who has visited Ethiopia with CWA, agreed. "Having seen firsthand the hopelessness of children without families, it is a blessing that the family of SouthLake can partner with CWA to raise funds for building Acacia Village."

Interested in Helping With Acacia Village? Find out how your school, church, or community group can help. Send an email to Louis Fawcett, call him 704-798-2795, or go to the Acacia Village website.

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A Vision for Helping Orphans: Montana Churches Answer God's Call

Harvest Church in Billings, MT, and Journey Church in Bozeman, MT, have responded in an amazing way to God's call for Christians to help the world's orphans. Working with CWA, these churches have challenged their congregations to fulfill a vision for 100 families to adopt a waiting child from Ethiopia.

Realizing that not all families in their churches will be called to adopt, but believing that every family is called to help the world's orphans, every church member will be provided an opportunity to help bring home these waiting children. Some people may become PAL's (Personal Adoption Liaisons); assigned to an adoptive family to provide help and support as they complete their adoption process. PAL's may help with mailing documents, arranging for notaries, and preparing meals for families once they are home. Some may become involved with support and raising awareness for Acacia Village. Others may provide monetary support for families who are adopting.

Stepping out in faith and believing, "...with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)," these churches will make a difference in the lives of precious children!

Acacia Village Construction Photos

See the latest photos from the Acacia Village construction site of the Children's Home.

Watch the new CWA video:
What Does Love Make You Do?

CWA-Amazon Online Bookstore

Christian World has just opened an online bookstore for your convenience. We have 'stocked' the CWA-aStore with dozens of books about international adoption, and many other adoption-related resources. And when you shop here for adoption resources, CWA will receive up to 15% on purchases made, which will be used to help more children through adoption and humanitarian aid. Go to aStore »

Wanted: Older Children Stories

Would your older child like to write their story for an upcoming eNews or Newsletter? We would like to hear from older children about themselves: where they go to school, their hobbies, talents, a little about their families, and their adoption story, all in their own words. If your child would be interested, please email Jenny Dickinson, CWA's Outreach Coordinator.