An ABC reporter interviewed our attorney, Curtis Bostic, on January 22.  We have posted the interview in it’s entirety for our families to watch, listen, and make their own conclusions.

You may read our agency’s written statement here:  http://www.cwa.org/ethiopia-statement.htm

And you may view the video series here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChristianWorldAdopt

CWA’s mission has always been to help place orphans into permanent, loving families.  By God’s grace and help, we intend to continue doing just that.

Christian World Adoption

Every vote counts!  Tell your friends and family and cast your vote today!

In case you didn’t know, CWA and CWF have pages on Facebook.  If you are not a fan, please visit our pages, become a fan, and be part of our extended Facebook family.  We love to hear from you.  You find the Christian World Adoption FACEBOOK page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-World-Adoption/65845997865?ref=ts and the Christian World Foundation page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-World-Foundation/85126714174?ref=ts

THANK YOU and God bless.

Adopting an older child brings educational challenges.  Many older children have gaps in their learning. They may have attended school but not on a regular basis.  For most children, they have the ability to learn but it will take time to catch up with their peers.

It is wise to consider your educational options before bringing your child home.  Talk to principals, ESL teachers, and classroom teachers to find the best placement for your child.  Many parents decide that working with their child at home is best for them.  Some parents plan to home school but several months later, decide that a private or public school setting is needed.  There is no wrong or right way.  You may have one plan before your child comes home and then you find it isn’t working.  Flexibility is important to discovering what is best for your child.

Tutors can also be helpful.  A tutor can often take the stress off of you.  You want to focus on attachment and becoming a family.  If possible, it is nice to have someone help support you with schoolwork.

I always suggest delaying school.  There is always going to be time for school.  You want your beginning months to focus on your family.  Sometimes children ask to begin school.  Try to delay school, attaching to mom and dad are what is important.  It is okay to have educational activities for them.  You can play games and read, there are so many ways for children to learn.

Check out this website http://everythingesl.com/ You may find helpful information as you plan your child’s school activities.

I am available for you if you need me!  Kathy Killough

The following post was originally posted  by CWA adoptive Mom, Kristin Pichura/Ethiopia Program, on her personal blog site.  It is re-posted here with her permission.  You can read more about the Pichura adoption journey at www.justtheclay.blogspot.com Thank you, Kristin!

If you are interested in allowing us to post your CWA adoption-related story, please let me know!

As I close out my “adoption week” of posts, I am not sure that I ever took the time to share with you my thoughts on the financial aspect of our adoption. One thing that we were reminded about over and over again is that what God calls you to do, He makes a way for you to do it and HE deserves all the praise and glory. I remember starting this whole process feeling as though it would be foolish or unwise to even begin unless we had a fair amount of resources to “carry the load” ourselves. I think some of it was actually based in fear of what others would think if we started something with absolutely no means to see it through on our own. Fear that they would see us as unwise or foolish or presuming on the Lord. The more we got into this whole adoption process, the more God kept showing both of us that HE OWNS IT ALL!!!!!!

There is no bank account on any continent on all the earth that God does not claim full ownership of. Whether the boy had 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread or 200 fish and 500 loaves of bread it still was not enough to feed over 5,000 people! It still required the mighty hand of Jesus, God Himself, to do what only He could do to satisfy the hungry. And, whether we had only a penny in our bank account or enough to pay for the whole adoption nothing would have been possible without the mighty hand of our Savior! And, because of Him, nothing is IMpossible, either!!!! It is when we are weak that He is strong and His power is perfectly seen, it is when we have little and He turns it into much that HE is seen as great.

George Muller, Gladys Aylward, Adironam Judson and so many more have the most unbelievably beautiful stories as they served the Lord because, so often, they had nothing BUT Christ…and, because of Christ, they had EVERYTHING and His provision in their lives and ministries is so gloriously seen!!!

Please don’t think I am going “wacko” on you:)…do not go and sell your house and live on the streets, don’t give away all that you have and expect the Lord just to give you more…but DO listen hard to the Lord’s calling and obey, even when it seems there is no way. You will see our awesome God do things that take your breath away and work in ways that are beyond your scope of imagination and you will fall deeper in love with Him as you get to know Him more and see more of His attributes and character on display!!! Our $32,000 adoption “bill” has been satisfied and our hearts have been blessed over and over again watching God work!

In closing, I read this quote from the book “Crazy Love” and was reminded that the perspective God has given us this past year through our adoption needs to be the way we continue to see things every day of our life…not just in adoption but in whatever the Lord calls us to do…I don’t want this to be said of us:

“I fear there are some [professing] Christians among you to whom Christ will not say “Come Thou Blessed…inherit the kingdom”. Your haughty dwelling rises in the midst of thousands who have scarce a fire to warm themselves at, and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost; and yet you never darkened their door. You heave a sight, perhaps at a distance, but you do not visit them. Ah! Dear friend! I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day…I fear there are many hearing me who may know now well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money, make the most of it; give none away, enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.”

Robert Murray M’Cheyne Scottish pastor to Edinburgh (who died at 29)

Emily Beddingfield/Administrative Assistant-Ethiopia Team

Working with a waiting children’s program has its joys and its challenges, as I’m sure you would imagine!  The joy of seeing children finding families… the struggle of heartache for those who still wait.  The only peace is knowing that God is in control of each one of their lives.  He knows the plans that he has for each child—whether their future will be in America, or if they are to remain in Ethiopia.

God never ceases to amaze me in the way He’s always working “behind the scenes!”   Last year, I had a family accept three older children—children who I was beginning to despair of ever finding a home for.  One of the children was not even siblings with the other two—but they were best friends.  It was amazing to me that a family wanted all three kids and that the kids would remain together even though they did not legally have to go to the same family.  Then, all of a sudden, the family stopped the adoption process.  I was devastated and just lost all hope for these children.  Silly me!  Shortly thereafter, these children were accepted by another family—All three together again!!  The children are now home with this family and doing great in their new family.

This story is such an inspiration to me and confirms my belief that God is always in control!  He had a special plan for these children that went above and beyond all my earthly expectations.  He loves these children even more than I do and He knows best.  I rejoice for each life and encourage others to consider adopting a waiting child or children, and to pray for those who wait.  If God calls you to it, He will get you through it!

Visit the CWA Ethiopia Hope Project site for more information.