Host Kiddo Home
We would like to congratulate one of the wonderful families that participated in our Philippines Orphan Hosting program, as they recently completed their trip to welcome their host kiddo into their family forever! We are so happy that you have been reunited, and we can’t wait to see the amazing journeys you embark upon as a family!
We are currently matching families for our 2016-17 Philippines Holiday Hosting program! If you’re interested in learning how you can become a host family, contact shannon@gwca.org or visit our Orphan Hosting photo listing!
Philippines Orphan Hosting
Our Philippines Orphan Hosting program provides families with the opportunity to welcome a child or sibling group from the Philippines into their home over the holidays. The children and sibling groups in this program are generally between the ages of 8 and 15, and all are in need of loving Forever Families.
This program is currently only available to families living in Texas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and New York. If your family is living in one of these states and you are interested in learning how you can host this winter, contact shannon@gwca.org or visit our Orphan Hosting photo listing to request a child’s file. Host family matching for this program will be ending soon, so we encourage any interested families to contact us ASAP! Will you give the gift of family this holiday season?
Click here to visit our Orphan Hosting photo listing!
**Due to privacy policies in place by the Philippines, the image in this post is a stock photo.**
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5 Reasons to Adopt from Bulgaria
If you are looking to grow your family through international adoption, our Bulgaria adoption program could be a great fit! As this program continues to grow, we are seeing more and more children’s files coming in each month giving us the opportunity to help place children with loving Forever Families. Below are five reasons your family may want to consider beginning your Bulgaria adoption journey!
For more information, contact our CAN matching specialists today!
1. Traditional and Waiting Child Programs – Bulgaria has both a Traditional Adoption program, and a Waiting Child track! Families that are waiting for a referral in the traditional adoption program are able to look at the Waiting Children that our agency is advocating for, giving them the option of switching to the Waiting Child program if that is where they find their child.
2. Get Matched Quickly – In our Waiting Child program, you get to play a role in the matching process, meaning you can submit your request to be matched as soon as you find your child!
3. Siblings – Your family can be matched with a sibling group of 2 or more! While this is more common in the Waiting Child program, it is a possibility in the traditional program as well depending on the age range that you’re open to. Recently we’ve seen several sets of older twins in our Waiting Child program!
4. Healthy Older Children – Our Waiting Child program has children of all ages with varying degrees of needs. However, occasionally the only reason that a child is considered a “Waiting Child” is because they are older.
5. Younger Children – While younger healthy children are available through the traditional program, there are younger Waiting Children with special needs ranging anywhere from very minor to more moderate or severe. For families that are comfortable with needs, this is a great alternative which offers a shorter wait time.
If your family is interested in learning more about either our Bulgaria Traditional Adoption program or our Waiting Child program, please contact our CAN Matching Specialist, visit our Photo Listing, or join our Facebook group today!
Resources
- Learn more about adopting from Bulgaria
- Visit the Waiting Child photo listing
- Contact a CAN matching specialist
- Join our private Bulgaria Waiting Child Facebook group
They’re Home!
We’ve heard the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but this selfie is worth SO much more. Look at those smiles!
These two adoptive parents recently traveled to the Philippines to welcome a sibling group of FOUR into their family! Now, just weeks after they all returned to America, everyone is getting settled in and having a wonderful time. We are so happy that everyone made it home safely, and we can’t wait to continue following their journey.
If your family is interested in learning more about our Philippines Waiting Child adoption program, contact our CAN matching specialists at shelby@childrenofallnations.com or visit our Philippines adoption page.
Share your selfie with us by sending it to ana@gwca.org today!
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New Recipe from Haiti!
Haitian Recipe | August 10, 2016
Last Friday at CAN (Children of All Nations) we celebrated the first day of the Olympics by everyone choosing a different country to represent here in the office and bringing a dish that represents the culture. Of course, I chose Haiti and the recipe for the dish I made is below.
Mais Moulu ak Zepina
- 3 tbsp of oil
- 3 tomatoes, julienne sliced
- 4 tsp of garlic powder
- a few sprigs of thyme
- a few sprigs of parsley
- 2 tsp of ground pepper
- 3 tsp of minced onions
- 2 tsp of tomato paste
- 1 box of chopped frozen spinach
- 6 cups of water
- 1/3 bag of coarse yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 inch-thick of sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tsp of butter
Directions
Heat saucepan over high heat. Add oil.
Stir in the sliced tomatoes, garlic powder, thyme, parsley, ground pepper, thyme, and minced onions.
Cover and reduce heat to medium-high.
Stir in tomato paste, spinach, and add water.
Cook uncovered until it begins to boil.
Add the cornmeal and continue to cook over medium-high heat, covered.
Stir in the cheese. Reduce the heat to low.
Add butter then stir. Continue to cook for 20-25 mins.
Remove from heat. Serve with slices of avocado.
It was a huge hit and I will definitely be adding it to my recipe book!
I would like to encourage you if you are waiting to be matched and/or waiting to bring your child/children home to find some tasty recipes you enjoy from Haiti that one day you can make. This is a great way to embrace their culture and it is also something fun you can do together.
GO TEAM HAITI!
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. | August 4, 2016
Whether you are adopting or you work in the adoption world there is something you realize very early on…this process is not made for the lighthearted. There are so many ups and so many downs throughout the entire journey and of course the high at the end which is the result of bringing your child/children home. How we all got here (again whether you are adopting or you are just involved in the process) creates various stories and everyone’s path has been completely different. Did you go on a mission trip and fall in love with the country? Are you a doctor and provided medical care to the fatherless and truly discovered where your heart was? Or, maybe you have a passion for orphan care and wanted to do what you could to make an impact on the world and their little lives. Regardless of the journey we all embarked on we all have one major thing in common. We are pursuing something that “sets our soul on fire” and we all feel drawn to Haiti.
For me personally, I remember telling my mom at a fairly early age that I wanted to adopt from Haiti. My mom continuously asked me, “Why Haiti?” and “Why do you want to adopt from there?” And, my answer was always, “I am not too sure mom. But, I feel like I am supposed to.” This answer is also a very similar one that I hear from a lot of my families now. My draw towards Haiti continued to grow as I got older and as I learned more and more about the country the more I knew this was something I wanted to do. For many of you that follow my blog you might have been one of my families when I started out in the dossier department prior to making my debut into the matching/referral department but a big stipulation for me to step into this role was me requesting to take Haiti as one of my countries. Now, with the messes pre-Hague families were experiencing a lot of case managers were gladly willing to pass this program onto me and with a happy heart Haiti became mine. Through this journey I have now traveled to Haiti, met the children, met the people, and completely fell in love with the country and realized why I always did have such a passion for Haiti. And, even though I am still too young to adopt from Haiti it is amazing to me that I ended up in this role. Helping these children unite with their forever families is the most incredible thing I have got to be a part of in my life thus far.
It really is ironic where God ends up leading you when you actually let go and let God.
Learn more about adopting from Haiti | Contact our CAN matching specialists!
Read MoreAnother Child Home Forever!
Welcome Home!
We are THRILLED to announce that another family in our Philippines adoption program has just returned home with their kiddo! After hosting their child last year, they have been anxiously awaiting this reunion, and we are so happy that the time has come! Congratulations from all of us at GWCA and CAN, and welcome home!
Philippines Hosting
We are currently matching for our upcoming winter Philippines Hosting program. This program is available to families living in Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York and New Jersey. If you live and one of these states and are interested in opening your heart and your home to host a child or sibling group this winter, contact shannon@gwca.org today!
Due to the privacy policies that the Philippines has in place, we are unable to share photos of the host kiddos here. If you’re interested in viewing their profiles, visit our Orphan Hosting Photo Listing using the link below!
Click here to visit our Orphan Hosting Photo Listing!
Read More4 Siblings Home from the Philippines!
Sibling Group of Four Comes Home!
We’re so delighted to share that a sibling group of FOUR kiddos has recently come home from the Philippines! These kiddos range in age from 4 to 13 years old. As a larger sibling group, their files were on the Philippines Special Home Finding list, meaning their new Forever Family was able to request to be matched with them specifically! Congratulations to these amazing kiddos and their new Forever Family from all of us at Children of All Nations!
One More Kiddo Coming Home Next Week!
Another one of the families in our Philippines adoption program will be bringing their child home within the next week! After hosting their kiddo last year through CAN’s Orphan Hosting program, they have been anxiously awaiting the moment that they are able to reunite, and bring their child home forever. We are so happy that this moment has come for them, and our thoughts are with them as they reach the next leg of their adoption journey!
Philippines Adoption
Children of All Nations has three different Philippines adoption programs, a Waiting Child program, a Healthy Track, and a Relative Adoption program.
Healthy Track Adoption
Each year we are given a limited number of spots to fill for the Healthy Track program, and we are now accepting applications! If your family is interested in learning how you can adopt a medically healthy child from the Philippines, contact our CAN Matching Specialists to learn how you can get started today! In this program, families must be open to adopting a child of either gender. Additionally, while there is a possibility of being matched with a child as young as 2.5 years old, we ask that families are open to at least age 5.
Waiting Child Program
Our Philippines Waiting Child program provides families with the opportunity to look for their child on what is referred to as the “Special Homes Findings List.” This is a list of children that are considered more difficult to place based on their age, their special need, or the fact that they are a part of a sibling group of two or more. Families in this program do not necessarily have to be open to either gender, making it a great option for families that feel strongly about being matched with a child of a specific gender.
Relative Adoption
If you currently have a family member that is living in the Philippines and is in need of adoption, CAN may be able to help! Contact our Philippines Matching Specialist today to learn more!
Philippines Orphan Hosting Program – Photo Listing NOW Available!
Our Philippines Program is currently open to families in Texas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York. If you live in one of these states and are interested in learning how you can host an orphan this Winter, contact our hosting coordinators at shannon@gwca.org today! Our photo listing is now available!
– Click here to view our Philippines Orphan Hosting Photo Listing –
Resources
- Learn more about our Philippines adoption programs
- Contact our Matching Specialists
- Register for our upcoming Philippines Webinar on May 5th
*For privacy purposes, the image used is a stock photo.
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Seeing the Entire Picture
Below is the latest blog post from our CAN matching specialist, Hilary! Visit her blog to read more about her trip to Haiti to meet with our in-country representatives and visit the orphanages that we’re partnered with!
I Spy.
Take a moment and study this picture. What do you see? What really stands out? Immediately I noticed the serene blue water in the back, the ships ready to sail out to sea, the blue sky, the man on his motorcycle and the green trees. But then I start to look closer and I see a tarp covering a small building being used as a roof, the many umbrellas lining the street as vendors try and make a daily wage, a tap tap carrying passengers and many buildings. I could probably continue to stare at this photo and find more and more things that did not initially stand out to me but my point to this blog post is this…We travel to these countries, adopt from these countries, and give back to these countries but sometimes we are not always aware of what is actually right in front of us.
Sometimes as we find ourselves getting caught in the hustle and bustle of working or trying to give back I think it is easy to forget the realities of the countries we are working in and/or adopting from. Countries like Haiti that have no infrastructure are striving everyday to rebuild their country from the earth quake, get a stable president, keep their families together, find a steady income and essentially survive. Unfortunately this is the reality. These are all of the things we need to make sure we are not forgetting. We should always try to see everything in the “picture” because this is also the education piece we need to be passing on to adopted children. The good and the hard side of where they came from. Haiti will always be their home, their birth country, and where their birth parents are but it will also be where they met their forever family for the very first time.
“He is mine in a way that he will never be hers, he is hers in a way that he will never be mine, and together, we are motherhood.”
Hilary’s blog: Help. Hope. Haiti.
Read More6 New Referrals from Africa
What an exciting time this has been for our families that are adopting from Africa, as we’ve recently received a total of six new referrals! One of these referrals is for a family in our Uganda adoption program, and the other five are for families in our Burundi adoption program. Congratulations from all of us at GWCA and CAN, as you’re one step closer to bringing your little ones home forever!
Burundi Adoption
Our Burundi adoption program offers families a relatively quick matching process, fantastic in-country staff support, and the opportunity to be matched with a younger, medically healthy child. While the age of each child matched will vary, we have seen that most referrals are for children under age 5! If you’re interested in learning how you can join our Burundi adoption program, contact our CAN matching specialists today!
Child Sponsorship
Children of All Nations’ child sponsorship program, Fostering Hope, helps provide opportunities for giving back to children in need through individual and program sponsorship. Sponsored children will receive monetary donations from individuals and families to support their orphanage or foster home care, nutrition, schooling, therapies and medical care based on their individual needs. Sponsors receive photos and updates on the child that they are sponsoring, and get to see firsthand the difference they are making.
If you’re interested in learning how you can sponsor a child, visit our Fostering Hope page today!
Read More5 Things You Should Know About Philippines Healthy Track
Children of All Nations is currently accepting applications for our 2016 Philippines Healthy Track adoption program. If your family is interested in adopting a healthy child, this could be the perfect program for you! Below are 5 things about this program that we want our families to know. Contact our Matching Specialists, visit our website, or join our private Philippines Facebook group to learn more!
1. Healthy Kids!
All referrals that families receive in this program are for medically healthy children! As a growing number of adoption programs are beginning to turn their focus towards Waiting Children, our Philippines Healthy Track program is a great option for families that feel a healthy child would be the best fit.
2. Younger Kiddos Available
While we ask that families are open to at least age 5, it may be possible to be matched with a child as young as 2 and a half years old!
3. Can’t Specify a Preferred Gender
With the Philippines Healthy Track program, you are unable to specify a preferred gender, meaning you must be open to the possibility that you could be matched with either a girl or a boy. If you feel strongly about being matched with a child of a specific gender, we would encourage you to look into our Philippines Waiting Child program.
4. Single Applicants Welcome!
The Philippines Healthy Track adoption program is available to single applicants, however, they will be matched with a child between the ages of 9 and 15 years old. Contact our Matching Specialist to learn more!
5. Limited Number of Spots Available
Each year CAN is given a limited number of open spots for our Philippines Healthy Track adoption program. We have already begun filling our spots for 2016, and they’re filling up fast! If you’re interested in learning how you can claim your spot and begin your adoption journey, contact our Philippines Matching Specialist today!
Read MoreFamily Home From Guyana
With one of our amazing families bringing their child home from Guyana this week, we wanted to share a blog from another one of the families in our Guyana adoption program who brought their kiddos home nearly two years ago! If you’re interested in learning how you can begin your Guyana adoption journey, contact our CAN matching specialists or visit our Guyana adoption page today!
Well, blogging hasn’t happened in a while! We’ve been a little busy – became a mom again for the 4th and 5th time! We are loving life with 5 kids. Miles and Kallie have added so much joy, laughter, noise, and fun to our family! I’ve had several blogs I want to write on our adoption story but there is one I just couldn’t wait to write anymore. So if you will all bear with me as I share a few adoption stories in the coming weeks – some things are just to good to not share!
My family (husband and 3 biological children) headed to Guyana (South America) to adopt Miles and Kallie (siblings) We stayed in a furnished apartment. Guyana is hot/humid and there is not much to do there (like really – there is nothing to do there!) so our days were filled with homeschooling (yep, perks of homeschooling you can do it anywhere), swimming in the pool, and in the evening we would all cuddle up and watch a movie.
One night the kids wanted to watch Horton Hears a Who – I love this book, I’ve loved this book for a long time. Last summer we spent a week in Tahoe with my husband’s family and visited a traveling Dr. Seuss museum that included his rare hats. Super fun trip and we learned some really neat stuff about Dr. Seuss. There were rare paintings he had never planned on releasing to the general public and the stories they told about his work was wonderful. But the explanation for Horton Hears a Who I will never forget – they told us that Dr. Seuss wrote Horton Hears a Who against abortion. I researched this and there are conflicting reports as for whether he actually wrote it for this purpose or not, but it sure made the book stand out to me in a whole new way.
For those of you who have never read Horton Hears a Who the general story is that a large elephant hears a noise on a flower that has a speck on it. The tiny speck has the entire town of Who-ville living on it. Horton and his enormous ears are able to hear the town and he promises to take them to a place of safety. Horton has a great quote “a person is a person no matter how small” and he goes through all sorts of teasing and weather and perils to finally put the speck in a safe place so the town of Who-ville can survive.
Now back to my story (sorry totally derailed) . . . my kids decide to watch Horton Hears a Who one night while in Guyana. I’m cuddling up with Kallie on the couch watching this super funny movie and the Lord so sweetly spoke to me. He reminded me of all the times I was back in America feeling crazy because my heart and my arms were breaking for my babies in Guyana that I couldn’t get to quick enough.
Adoption is hard, it isn’t like when you are pregnant with a child and everyone knows you are expecting because – well. . . it’s obvious by that cute little basketball under your shirt and the jar of pickles in your hand!!! When you are “expecting” with adoption no one knows and you want to shout it from rooftop. Every time you buy a piece of clothing or their beds or their toothbrushes you just feel like a crazy lady and end up telling the checker at Target all about the kids you are adopting only to have them look back at you like a deer in headlights wondering why on earth I had to get in their lane. Oh yeah friends, lived this out more humiliating times than I should have. Yes, I have some super amazing stories where when I couldn’t contain myself and started sharing with strangers about the children I didn’t have and they were equally as excited with me – one in fact has become a friend because she just had to know when we were bringing our kids home and has been praying for me ever since! But there are plenty of times I shared and people just confirmed the craziness I was feeling by the look on their face. It’s hard – adoption is so hard!
I also can’t say enough thanks to those who followed up constantly on where we were in the process – why? Because though most days I had nothing new to report it made Miles and Kallie feel real, it made me not feel so crazy, and you so constantly reminded me of the faithfulness of our Savior. You see like Horton – we had a speck in Guyana. 2 beautiful children – “my Who’s” that no one knew existed, that no one knew needed help and home and mom and dad. Yet somehow by the grace of God, He put us in the exact right place at the right time so we heard “our Who’s” tiny cries, their longing for a family, their need for safety and protection and love.
I sat on the couch that night watching Horton Hears a Who and sobbed and sobbed. I was living the real life Horton Hears a Who! We serve a God who also says “A person is a person no matter how small” and He heard them and brought us together. I had “my Who’s” finally safe on my lap cuddling watching a movie and it was all too much for my hea
rt. Too much amazement at the goodness of God, too much gratefulness that He chose me to be their mom, too much love for “my Who’s” and it was simply a night I needed to share with you.
Friends, I don’t know where you are at in life right now, but I do know that we serve a God who hears our cries – ALL of them. From the smallest child to the greatest it makes no difference. I just want you to know as you read this your Father hears you.