Casey is giving back and imploding Texas Stadium

This is an amazing story in the Dallas Morning News about Casey Rogers! He was formerly in foster care and has now been adopted into a Christian home.

I was on the phone with Becky Lloyd from Asheville, NC this afternoon as she is preparing for the Share His Hope orphan care and adoption conference March 19-20, 2010. She was sharing with me about the amazing foster care ministry of Russell Rogers. Becky then sent this story from today about Russell's son Casey!

Culture of Adoption in the Church

Dr. Karyn Purvis is encouraging and empowering the church to follow God's voice and call to create a culture of adoption. This is a powerful video with Dr. Purvis sharing from her heart. Please visit Empowered to Connect for more resources and don't miss Dr. Purvis in person March 12-13, 2010 in North Carolina at The Connected Child Conference.

Creating a Healthy Adoption Culture in Your Church from Tapestry on Vimeo.

HT: http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Conferences

There are many upcoming events that will encourage and educate in the areas of adoption and orphan care. ABBA Fund is excited to be presenting at these events and we hope to see you there!

March 6, 2010
Blaise Baptist Church, Mocksville, NC
Adoption and Foster Care Expo

March 12-13, 2010
Calvary West, Advance, NC (just west of Winston-Salem)
The Connected Child Conference - with Dr. Karyn Purvis



March 20,2010
Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, Asheville, NC
Share His Hope 2010 - Orphan Care Conference

April 29-30, 2010
Grace Church, Minneapolis, MN
Summit VI - Christian Alliance For Orphans

Hope International - Prayer and Help for Haiti

Many of us feel helpless on how to help in Haiti. We want to make sure any funds or other resources are really used to help the intended people. I wanted to post information from an organization that I know can be trusted and has ongoing operations already in Haiti. I received this email from Hope International (Peter Greer - author of "The Poor Will be Glad") earlier today:

Shortly before 5p.m. yesterday, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, dealing another blow to the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Information coming out of the country remains limited, but the reported epicenter of the earthquake is a highly populated area known to house many of Port-au-Prince’s poorest. The International Red Cross estimates that three million people have been affected by the earthquake one third of the island nation’s population.

HOPE International has been unable to get in touch with any of its staff members in Haiti, yet based on news reports, we have reason to believe they are likely safe. HOPE Haiti’s director, who was in the Dominican Republic on business at the time of the earthquake, will be attempting to travel back into Haiti this morning accompanied by staff from HOPE International’s central offices in Lancaster, PA and leadership from our field partner Esperanza International. We plead with you to pray for the people of Haiti and have compiled a list of prayer requests to help you get started. For those who would like to contribute financially, HOPE will work with our partner Esperanza International to identify the most effective way to impact the people of Haiti in the aftermath of this tragedy.


Pray for coordination and efficiency in the immediate recovery efforts. The first 72 hours following the earthquake are critical in searching for those who may be trapped in rubble, treating the injured, and preventing further loss of life.

Pray that damage to the airport in Port-au-Prince would be miraculously limited, enabling aid agencies to rush necessary emergency aid to the country.

Pray for the safety of people now living on the streets.

Pray for hope. A sense of despair can lead to rioting, looting, and further destruction.

Pray that those affected would work together and be filled with supernatural patience and compassion.

Pray for justice and equity in the distribution of relief. Pray that God would touch and soften the hearts of those who might seek to benefit from this crisis by hoarding necessary food and supplies.
Pray that communication will be restored so that Haitians may speak with relatives and friends in the Port-au-Prince area.

Pray for the families of our staff and clients who may live in the Port-au-Prince area.

Pray for the family of HOPE Haiti intern Obed Daphnis who were in Port-au-Prince at the time of the earthquake.

Pray for HOPE Haiti director David St. Hilaire as he attempts to travel back into the country today. Pray for safety in travel and for wisdom upon his return.
Pray that God would be revealing Himself to the people of Haiti even in the midst of this tragedy.

For those who would like to contribute financially, HOPE will work with our partner Esperanza International to identify the most effective way to impact the people of Haiti in the aftermath of this tragedy. You may contribute here.

Drop in International Adoptions

Here is an interesting AP article about the lowest number of international adoptions since 1996. Of the three leading countries in 2008, China and Russia have slowed and Guatemala adoptions have stopped all together. Total numbers into the US have dropped from 22,990 in 2004 to only 12,573 in 2009.



There are continued efforts by UNICEf and other international children's organizations to limit international adoption. A well researched document by Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Bartholet, exposes these organizations and their agendas. There are still millions of children languishing in institutions. Adoption into a permanent family is the best solution for these orphans and we must continue to create awareness and advocate for them.

HT Jason Kovacs - ABBA Fund Blog