It was Samuel Rutherford who said, "Whether God come to his children with rod or a crown, if he comes himself with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome Jesus, what may soever thou come, if we can get a sight of thee: and sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bedside and draw the curtains, and say 'Courage, I am thy salvation', than to enjoy health, being lusty and strong and never need to be visited by God."
Chew on that for a while and I will be back shortly with a commentary....
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
MY 13 MILE WALK FOR ORPHANS THIS SUNDAY!
My walk for orphans in the Sarasota Half Marathon is this Sunday! Only a few days left before I walk 13 miles for orphans. Due to my the injuries to both my knees a few months ago I will be walking instead of running. Dissapointing but the results will still be the same, awareness and finances raised for orphans. I would covet your prayers for this event. Please pray for myself and other orphan advocates who will be walking or running in this event, that we will be free from injury, that awareness for orphans and God's love for them will be made prevelant. Praise God for the finances and resources he has already raised for orphans through this event. Thank you to those of you who have partnered with me through prayers and financial donations.
I will give a full report next week! If you would still like to make a donation to my race click on the Running Hope banner to your left or click here.
I will give a full report next week! If you would still like to make a donation to my race click on the Running Hope banner to your left or click here.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Fight The Freedom of Choice Act
Mr. Obama has promised the first thing he will do when placed into office of President of the United States is to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act. This is devistating news for millions of children and women in this country. The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if congress passes it on January 21-22 of 2009. If made a law then all limitations on abortion will be lifted which will result in the following:
1) All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, will be required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.
2) Partial birth abortions would be legal and have nolimitations.
3) All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.
4) Parental notification will no longer be required.
5) It would no long be a requirement that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion.
6) Performing abortions no longer restricted to licensed physicians.
7) The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.
In November 2008 Stephen Adams of Focus on the Family wrote, "Americans won’t have to wait for liberal nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court to undermine pro-life policies: President-elect Barack Obama reportedly is set to begin his attack on life during his first days in office. Obama pledged during the campaign that one of his first acts in office would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act if it hits his desk, a bill that would overturn many state abortion regulations such as parental notification and waiting periods.
He also is expected to rescind Bush administration restrictions on the use of federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research, and for abortions and abortion referrals by international agencies.
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said this is not speculation.
Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said her organization is regularly advising Obama’s transition staff. 'We expect to see a real change,' she told The Washington Post.
Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Life, said Americans can expect to see more of their tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood and international abortion businesses."
Please take time to pray that God would keep FOCA from being passed, that he will raise up Christians who will stand up and be a voice for the voiceless.
Please visit http://www.fightfoca.com/ for more information.
1) All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, will be required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.
2) Partial birth abortions would be legal and have nolimitations.
3) All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.
4) Parental notification will no longer be required.
5) It would no long be a requirement that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion.
6) Performing abortions no longer restricted to licensed physicians.
7) The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.
In November 2008 Stephen Adams of Focus on the Family wrote, "Americans won’t have to wait for liberal nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court to undermine pro-life policies: President-elect Barack Obama reportedly is set to begin his attack on life during his first days in office. Obama pledged during the campaign that one of his first acts in office would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act if it hits his desk, a bill that would overturn many state abortion regulations such as parental notification and waiting periods.
He also is expected to rescind Bush administration restrictions on the use of federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research, and for abortions and abortion referrals by international agencies.
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said this is not speculation.
Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said her organization is regularly advising Obama’s transition staff. 'We expect to see a real change,' she told The Washington Post.
Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Life, said Americans can expect to see more of their tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood and international abortion businesses."
Please take time to pray that God would keep FOCA from being passed, that he will raise up Christians who will stand up and be a voice for the voiceless.
Please visit http://www.fightfoca.com/ for more information.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
I met my favorite Folk Artist, RUBY C. WILLIAMS
Amanda and I, along with her Grandma Katy, Father Robert and Uncle Billy cruised on over to St. Lucie on the Eastern coast of Florida, directly across from Tampa, for the Thanksgiving Summerlin Family Reunion. This is Grandma Katy's family and where she grew up. There is alot to tell about this reunion as it was quite the experience for a man from Mississippi/Alabama and deserves its own post which I will post later. But I wanted to post these couple of pictures. As many of you know, I love art and try to be at least a little bit of an artist. Four years ago as I was doing research on Florida Folk art on the Internet, I ran across Ms. Ruby C. Williams. She quickly became my favorite folk artist. I really enjoy her work and could stare at her paintings for days on end. My friend, Lance Williams (no relation) also loves art and met Ruby years ago while he was a reporter for NBC. They struck up a friendship which has lasted many years. I have enjoyed talking to Lance about Ruby's work and looking at the art work of Ruby's in Lance's house. On the way to St. Lucie from Tampa on SR 60 we ran across Ruby's fruit and art stand in Plant City. Back in the 90's Ruby had a fruit stand and would paint colorful signs to direct people into her stand from the highway. From encouragement from a passerby and friends Ruby started painting. Ruby has become one of the most beloved Folk artist in Florida and even across the USA. Ruby even had art work on display at the Smithsonian. In addition to her fruit stand she also now paints and sells her artwork. I was thrilled to be able to stop and meet her in person and visit with her. She is a dear Christian lady and I was so encouraged by her dedication and desire to use her talent for God's glory and the spread of the gospel in missions. Ruby will tell you herself that she is a missionary and preacher. She does mission work with children in the summers. In the picture above, Ruby poses with me and hold the painting that Amanda and I bought. I am thrilled to own some of Ruby's work and have it in my house to gaze at endlessly.
Ruby also wanted us to take a picture of her and her orange tree. She said she had been wanting and praying to have an opportunity to have a picture taken with her tree. As she put it, "I'd been talking to God to have my picture taken with my tree and then He sent you along." I mailed her the picture today.
Ruby C. Williams is a dear sweet lady and a fantastic artist. I am convinced she is destined for the history books and people young and old will be enjoying her art for centuries to come. It was a highlight of my life to meet her and I am sure we will be driving over many times to visit with her.
So if you are ever traveling through Florida on SR (stateroad) 60 near Plant City, be on the lookout for Ruby's fruit and art stand and be sure to stop by, chat a little and buy some beautiful art work.
You can visit Ruby's website here...Ruby C. Williams Website
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Great weekend with nephews and neice
This past weekend I flew to St. Louis to spend a few days with my nephews and neice. It was a wonderful trip. I love those four kids so much! I wished we lived closer so that we could see them more. This picture is of my oldest nephew M. (6). His younger brother B. (4) took the picture. My neice L. is 6 and her brother G. is 3. I cant wait to see them again.To M,B,L,G,
Skima rinki dinki dink, Skima rinki du,
I love you!
-Uncle Andy
To see more of MBLandG visit my Sisters in laws blogs .
Just click on these: Maynor.blogspot.com and Lilygray.blogspot.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
143,000,000 orphans one at a time.
I just added a video at the bottom of this page that puts into perspective the fact that there are over 143 million orphans in the world today. Please spend a couple of minutes watching this video. It is important that we understand the reality of how many helpless children are fending for themselves out there in our world, however, this reality can be overwhelming. Individually we can't possibly help all 143 million children, but we can help one at a time.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Thailand Partnership Meeting
On October 3rd Dustyn Eudaly (our associate pastor) and I flew to Atlanta, Georgia for the First Thailand Partnership Meeting. This was a time for the MTW (Mission to the World)* Thailand missions team to meet with several churches that have partnered together to support the mission to Thailand. Dustyn and I attended for a couple of reasons. First because our church supports several missionaries on the team and the work in Thailand. Secondly, because Amanda and I have increasingly felt called to join the work in Thailand. I was able to meet with Dave Veldhorst, the MTW team leader and talk about the possibilities of ministry available for Amanda and I, the current and needed children/orphan ministry in Thailand, and preparations for Amanda and I as we consider whether God is calling us to join the team and serve in Thailand. It was a wonderfully informative and relationship-building meeting. Rhianna Mills, a Thailand team member, also joined in our conversation. It was such an encouragement to her insights. A few day's later, Dave called Amanda and I on the phone so that Amanda could be hear everything Dave shared with me and ask any questions she might have. We are continuing to pray and seek God's guidance as we pursue full-time service in overseas missions.
I was incredibly impressed with Dave and the Thailand team. Dave's leadership and commitment to discipling the team members, involving Thai nationals in the work, and growing relationships with partnering churches in the US is phenomenal and should be a model to all missions teams and leaders. We were able to meet three Thai nationals who have joined the team. It was a blessing to meet them and hear about there love for their country and the Thai people. Meeting them and hearing their hearts was my favorite part of the day.
Tim Mills, husband of Rhianna Mills (mentioned earlier) and MTW Thailand Team member, was able to come visit our church a couple of weeks ago. It was great to be able to fellowship some with Tim and hear him as he addressed our church in the Sunday service and then talk to us as a missions committee. I, personally, have enjoyed getting to know Tim and Rhianna over the last couple of months and hope Amanda and I will have the privilege to serve with them one day in Thailand.
I would encourage you to click on the following links and read about the MTW Team in Thailand and pray regularly for them.
Links:
MTW Thailand Team Website
Paul and Crystal Henry
Andrew and Becky Bronson
Tim and Rhianna Mills
Yupawadee Praignam (Yu), a Thai staff member
*MTW, Mission to the World is the sending missions agency of our demonination the PCA, The Presbyterian Church in America. To visit the MTW website click here.
***********************************************************************************************
Adoption Update:
We are planning to proceed with our adoption in January. We are planning on pursuing adoption from South Korea with Wide Horizons adoption agency. There are two other directions in which God might direct us in our adoption. There is also the possiblily the Thailand adoption program will open back up at the first of the year. Also our friend Emma from Uganda is looking into adoption from his village in Papoli Uganda. I helped Emma set up his blog this past week ( look to left for link to his blog) and I will write as post very soon about him and his work with the orphans, widows and needy in Papoli.
I was incredibly impressed with Dave and the Thailand team. Dave's leadership and commitment to discipling the team members, involving Thai nationals in the work, and growing relationships with partnering churches in the US is phenomenal and should be a model to all missions teams and leaders. We were able to meet three Thai nationals who have joined the team. It was a blessing to meet them and hear about there love for their country and the Thai people. Meeting them and hearing their hearts was my favorite part of the day.
Tim Mills, husband of Rhianna Mills (mentioned earlier) and MTW Thailand Team member, was able to come visit our church a couple of weeks ago. It was great to be able to fellowship some with Tim and hear him as he addressed our church in the Sunday service and then talk to us as a missions committee. I, personally, have enjoyed getting to know Tim and Rhianna over the last couple of months and hope Amanda and I will have the privilege to serve with them one day in Thailand.
I would encourage you to click on the following links and read about the MTW Team in Thailand and pray regularly for them.
Links:
MTW Thailand Team Website
Paul and Crystal Henry
Andrew and Becky Bronson
Tim and Rhianna Mills
Yupawadee Praignam (Yu), a Thai staff member
*MTW, Mission to the World is the sending missions agency of our demonination the PCA, The Presbyterian Church in America. To visit the MTW website click here.
***********************************************************************************************
Adoption Update:
We are planning to proceed with our adoption in January. We are planning on pursuing adoption from South Korea with Wide Horizons adoption agency. There are two other directions in which God might direct us in our adoption. There is also the possiblily the Thailand adoption program will open back up at the first of the year. Also our friend Emma from Uganda is looking into adoption from his village in Papoli Uganda. I helped Emma set up his blog this past week ( look to left for link to his blog) and I will write as post very soon about him and his work with the orphans, widows and needy in Papoli.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Quick Updates
Sorry for the lack of posts. Really busy this time of year.
Quick updates:
1)Our adoption has been put on hold for a while because of the bad economy and the fear that one or both of us could be laid off from work at any time.
2)Our church orphan/adoption ministry is taking shape. The church session approved my first proposal and came back with suggestions and asked me to do some research on those suggestions and make some recommendations back to them. I will submit those recommendations soon.
3) After repeated re-injuring my knee several times while running, I have decided to try and walk the marathon in February instead of running. I hope I will be successful in this.
More posts are coming when I have time....
Quick updates:
1)Our adoption has been put on hold for a while because of the bad economy and the fear that one or both of us could be laid off from work at any time.
2)Our church orphan/adoption ministry is taking shape. The church session approved my first proposal and came back with suggestions and asked me to do some research on those suggestions and make some recommendations back to them. I will submit those recommendations soon.
3) After repeated re-injuring my knee several times while running, I have decided to try and walk the marathon in February instead of running. I hope I will be successful in this.
More posts are coming when I have time....
Friday, September 05, 2008
Spotlight on Ministry: THE ABBA FUND
The following is an interview with Jason Kovacs of The Abba Fund. I am challaged and encouraged by Jason's dedication and desire to serve orphans, churches, and families who have adopted or a desire to adopt. My thanks to Jason for taking the time to answer these questions!
Links: The Abba Fund
So Sit back, read and enjoy learning about The Abba Fund...
What is The Abba Fund?
The ABBA Fund helps Christian families overcome the financial obstacles of adoption by providing interest-free loans that can be paid back over time. We also administrate Matching Grant and Interest-Free Loan Adoption Funds for churches at no cost so that local churches can help their families with adoption costs.
Does The Abba Fund have a missions statement?
We don't have an "official" missions statement but it would be to bring glory to God through enabling His church and His people to follow His call and live out His heart for orphans through adoption.
How did the Abba Fund begin?
The ABBA Fund began 4 years ago after the founder, Eugene Allison and his wife, adopted two children from Russia and experienced first-hand the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses. Eugene and Carol had enough money to start, but not to finish the process. Through significant financial gifts from friends, they were able to complete the adoption. God soon placed a burden on their hearts to start a ministry that would help other Christian families get through the cash flow crunch on the way to growing their family through adoption.
How did you personally become involved with the Abba Fund?
I became involved with the ABBA fund 3 years ago during our first adoption. At that time I was a pastor at a church plant and finances were very tight. We were trusting God to provide everything needed for the adoption and one of the resources God led us too was the ABBA Fund. The way in which Eugene and the others involved not only helped us with an interest-free loan but prayed for us and cared for us in the process touched me deeply.
What is Legacy Child?
LegacyChild is a ministry of the ABBA Fund designed for families to set up memorial funds in memory of a loved one. The family that creates the memorial fund is able to choose the families that benefit from loans out of the memorial fund from pre-approved adopting families that are featured on our website (http://www.legacychild.org)
This is a great way to not only remember a loved one in a meaningful way but to help family after family adopt, as the interest-free loan is paid back the family can choose another adoptive family to help.
What is the process a couple goes through in order to receive financial assistance.
The basic process first begins by completing a homestudy. Once that is complete couples can fill out our application and send it in with the required supporting documents. If anyone has questions during the process, our Family Coordinator, Julie Franklin (an adoptive mother of 2), is available to answer any questions!
What are the criteria for a couple to receive help through The Abba Fund?
Our primary criteria is spiritual maturity. Our desire and prayer is that every child that we help bring into a home through adoption will be raised to know the Gospel and love of Christ. The maturity of the parents is key to this and we look closely at their faith as well as their philosophy of education.
Do you find that there is a big need for financial assistance for adoptions?
YES! I believe it is the number one hurdle and need for Christians considering adoption. Many couples consider adopting at some point but too many of them are discouraged by the cost and stop right there. Our vision and prayer is that one day we can say to the evangelical church in America that if God is calling you to adopt finances no longer need to be a hurdle because there is enough financial resources available.
How much does the typical domestic adoption cost? Foreign adoption?
The typical domestic adoption costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000 and foreign adoptions between $20,000 and $30,000. There are exceptions to that both domestically and internationally. It really depends on the agency and where you are adopting from.
What are some of the most frequent questions that couples have pertaining to the financal aspect of adoption?
How much will it cost? Is there a way to know for certain we will have enough money? What resources are available to help? What can I do to fundraise? Should I even think about fundraising?
Where can I find grants and financial help!?
I have a link on my blog that lists some of the other resources out there - http://abbafund.wordpress.com/how-to-fund-an-adoption/
What would you say to a couple who sees no other way but to go into debt in order to adopt?
I would first ask them about their financial situation and explore whether that really is the case and counsel them to apply for all the grants that they qualify for. That takes some hard work but there are many great organizations out there with passion to help folks adopt. I would also encourage them to look at the many options for fundraising. There are so many creative ways to raise money for adoption. If they still fall short and need to take out a loan I would encourage them to try and get an interest-free loan first and then go from there. If the couple has huge debt already that is another issue and I would encourage them to talk to a pastor or financial advisor about their situation.
Does The Abba Fund provide grants or just loans?
Through our general fund, we only provide interest-free loans. For the funds that we administrate for churches, organizations, adoption agencies or businesses we facilitate matching grants.
What is a church adoption fund?
Church adoption funds are a way for the local church to care for their families and encourage adoption within their local body. It takes what we are doing as a ministry and places it within the context of the local church - where the ministry ought to be!
How does The Abba Fund help churches establish and maintain an adoption fund?
The ABBA Fund provides our expertise and experience in administrating the fund on behalf of the church. This frees the church from having to reinvent the wheel and enables them to utilize our existing loan and grant process (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, disbursing and administrating funds, receipts etc.).
What advice would you give to a church wanting to look in to starting an adoption fund?
I would encourage them with the fact that for many couples the possibility of funds being available to help them with their adoption encourages them to take the first step of faith in the process. I have seen a simple church adoption fund open wide the doors to adoption that has led to the lives of families and children being changed forever.
I would also encourage them, whether they partner with us or not, to use our resources and ask as many questions as possible. More than anything we want to see churches caring for their families and helping them obey God’s call to adopt.
Finally I would strongly encourage them that while there much more administration involved to seriously consider doing interest-free loan and/or matching grants because of the self-sustaining and self-perpetuating nature.
There are several agencies that offer adoption funds for churches. How does The Abba Fund differ from the others?
I was a pastor prior to coming on staff with the ABBA Fund so my heart beats for the local church and really seeing the Bride of Christ live out God’s heart for the orphans. That’s what gets me most excited about partnering with churches and helping them establish adoption funds. That said, there are so many churches and we are really thankful for the other organizations that are serving in similar ways. That just means more resources and more support for the church!
Can you share an Abba Fund success story?
Can I share two. One involving a church and one involving a family? One of our first church partners in Illinois started a fund with $7500. They are not a large church but their fund has been used greatly! That original money went to help the first family almost immediately 3 years ago. They were able to pay it back within a year and another family used that money to adopt. This second family paid it off in time for the first family to use again for their second adoption. We just made that interest-free loan to them last month and they told us to only give them $5000 because they knew of another family in their church that is about to adopt! So, within 3 years 4 children will be helped into Christian homes through adoption in one church!
One of the first families we helped with an interest-free loan were missionary church-planters in a rural area of North Dakota. Their biological children got so involved they put their paper-route money towards the adoption of their new sister. That family has since adopted again and we were blessed to help them with a second interest-free loan!
How can our readers support The Abba fund, ie through prayer, awareness, financially, etc?
Prayer is definitely the first and most important way readers can support The ABBA Fund. Apart from God’s grace and blessing what we are doing will be in vain.
Readers can also spread the word about adoption and the orphan situation in the world and the fact that there are organizations like us that are out here to help folks financially.
For those who feel like they want to help others adopt we would love to provide them with the opportunity to do that – they can go to our website here (www.abbafund.org) to donate.
Does The Abba Fund partner with any other agencies or ministries, ie Shoahannah’s Hope?
We are blessed to have many great friends in the adoption and orphan care world and are continuing to make new friends. I really believe the more we work together the more we can do for the sake of the kingdom and God’s glory when it comes to adoption and orphan care.
Shoahannah’s Hope is one of our very good friends with whom we work with in helping churches get matching money for adoption funds.
I am also deeply involved in Together for Adoption, a ministry hosting regional adoption conferences focusing on theological adoption and its implications on our adoption of orphans (www.togetherforadoption.org). This past year we were also blessed to be exhibitors at the CCEF conference in Philadelphia (www.ccef.org), the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis (www.desirnggod.org), and most recently at the Alliance for Orphan Care Summitt IV in Ft. Lauderdale.
Is there any thing else you would like the reader to know about The Abba Fund?
Every dollar donated to the ABBA Fund goes directly to help unite a family through adoption. That is the same for the funds we administrate for churches. This is something we are committed too! All our operational costs are covered by our board and donors who have a vision for the long term sustainability of the ministry. We are actively praying for the day when we will have enough funds to provide financial help to every couple that applies! Join us in praying for that as well!
Above all we are excited about what the Lord is doing around the country in His church when it comes to adoption and orphan care. We count it an incredible privilege to play a small role in helping families live out God’s heart in caring for orphans through adoption.
The ABBA Fund helps Christian families overcome the financial obstacles of adoption by providing interest-free loans that can be paid back over time. We also administrate Matching Grant and Interest-Free Loan Adoption Funds for churches at no cost so that local churches can help their families with adoption costs.
Does The Abba Fund have a missions statement?
We don't have an "official" missions statement but it would be to bring glory to God through enabling His church and His people to follow His call and live out His heart for orphans through adoption.
How did the Abba Fund begin?
The ABBA Fund began 4 years ago after the founder, Eugene Allison and his wife, adopted two children from Russia and experienced first-hand the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses. Eugene and Carol had enough money to start, but not to finish the process. Through significant financial gifts from friends, they were able to complete the adoption. God soon placed a burden on their hearts to start a ministry that would help other Christian families get through the cash flow crunch on the way to growing their family through adoption.
How did you personally become involved with the Abba Fund?
I became involved with the ABBA fund 3 years ago during our first adoption. At that time I was a pastor at a church plant and finances were very tight. We were trusting God to provide everything needed for the adoption and one of the resources God led us too was the ABBA Fund. The way in which Eugene and the others involved not only helped us with an interest-free loan but prayed for us and cared for us in the process touched me deeply.
What is Legacy Child?
LegacyChild is a ministry of the ABBA Fund designed for families to set up memorial funds in memory of a loved one. The family that creates the memorial fund is able to choose the families that benefit from loans out of the memorial fund from pre-approved adopting families that are featured on our website (http://www.legacychild.org)
This is a great way to not only remember a loved one in a meaningful way but to help family after family adopt, as the interest-free loan is paid back the family can choose another adoptive family to help.
What is the process a couple goes through in order to receive financial assistance.
The basic process first begins by completing a homestudy. Once that is complete couples can fill out our application and send it in with the required supporting documents. If anyone has questions during the process, our Family Coordinator, Julie Franklin (an adoptive mother of 2), is available to answer any questions!
What are the criteria for a couple to receive help through The Abba Fund?
Our primary criteria is spiritual maturity. Our desire and prayer is that every child that we help bring into a home through adoption will be raised to know the Gospel and love of Christ. The maturity of the parents is key to this and we look closely at their faith as well as their philosophy of education.
Do you find that there is a big need for financial assistance for adoptions?
YES! I believe it is the number one hurdle and need for Christians considering adoption. Many couples consider adopting at some point but too many of them are discouraged by the cost and stop right there. Our vision and prayer is that one day we can say to the evangelical church in America that if God is calling you to adopt finances no longer need to be a hurdle because there is enough financial resources available.
How much does the typical domestic adoption cost? Foreign adoption?
The typical domestic adoption costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000 and foreign adoptions between $20,000 and $30,000. There are exceptions to that both domestically and internationally. It really depends on the agency and where you are adopting from.
What are some of the most frequent questions that couples have pertaining to the financal aspect of adoption?
How much will it cost? Is there a way to know for certain we will have enough money? What resources are available to help? What can I do to fundraise? Should I even think about fundraising?
Where can I find grants and financial help!?
I have a link on my blog that lists some of the other resources out there - http://abbafund.wordpress.com/how-to-fund-an-adoption/
What would you say to a couple who sees no other way but to go into debt in order to adopt?
I would first ask them about their financial situation and explore whether that really is the case and counsel them to apply for all the grants that they qualify for. That takes some hard work but there are many great organizations out there with passion to help folks adopt. I would also encourage them to look at the many options for fundraising. There are so many creative ways to raise money for adoption. If they still fall short and need to take out a loan I would encourage them to try and get an interest-free loan first and then go from there. If the couple has huge debt already that is another issue and I would encourage them to talk to a pastor or financial advisor about their situation.
Does The Abba Fund provide grants or just loans?
Through our general fund, we only provide interest-free loans. For the funds that we administrate for churches, organizations, adoption agencies or businesses we facilitate matching grants.
What is a church adoption fund?
Church adoption funds are a way for the local church to care for their families and encourage adoption within their local body. It takes what we are doing as a ministry and places it within the context of the local church - where the ministry ought to be!
How does The Abba Fund help churches establish and maintain an adoption fund?
The ABBA Fund provides our expertise and experience in administrating the fund on behalf of the church. This frees the church from having to reinvent the wheel and enables them to utilize our existing loan and grant process (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, disbursing and administrating funds, receipts etc.).
What advice would you give to a church wanting to look in to starting an adoption fund?
I would encourage them with the fact that for many couples the possibility of funds being available to help them with their adoption encourages them to take the first step of faith in the process. I have seen a simple church adoption fund open wide the doors to adoption that has led to the lives of families and children being changed forever.
I would also encourage them, whether they partner with us or not, to use our resources and ask as many questions as possible. More than anything we want to see churches caring for their families and helping them obey God’s call to adopt.
Finally I would strongly encourage them that while there much more administration involved to seriously consider doing interest-free loan and/or matching grants because of the self-sustaining and self-perpetuating nature.
There are several agencies that offer adoption funds for churches. How does The Abba Fund differ from the others?
I was a pastor prior to coming on staff with the ABBA Fund so my heart beats for the local church and really seeing the Bride of Christ live out God’s heart for the orphans. That’s what gets me most excited about partnering with churches and helping them establish adoption funds. That said, there are so many churches and we are really thankful for the other organizations that are serving in similar ways. That just means more resources and more support for the church!
Can you share an Abba Fund success story?
Can I share two. One involving a church and one involving a family? One of our first church partners in Illinois started a fund with $7500. They are not a large church but their fund has been used greatly! That original money went to help the first family almost immediately 3 years ago. They were able to pay it back within a year and another family used that money to adopt. This second family paid it off in time for the first family to use again for their second adoption. We just made that interest-free loan to them last month and they told us to only give them $5000 because they knew of another family in their church that is about to adopt! So, within 3 years 4 children will be helped into Christian homes through adoption in one church!
One of the first families we helped with an interest-free loan were missionary church-planters in a rural area of North Dakota. Their biological children got so involved they put their paper-route money towards the adoption of their new sister. That family has since adopted again and we were blessed to help them with a second interest-free loan!
How can our readers support The Abba fund, ie through prayer, awareness, financially, etc?
Prayer is definitely the first and most important way readers can support The ABBA Fund. Apart from God’s grace and blessing what we are doing will be in vain.
Readers can also spread the word about adoption and the orphan situation in the world and the fact that there are organizations like us that are out here to help folks financially.
For those who feel like they want to help others adopt we would love to provide them with the opportunity to do that – they can go to our website here (www.abbafund.org) to donate.
Does The Abba Fund partner with any other agencies or ministries, ie Shoahannah’s Hope?
We are blessed to have many great friends in the adoption and orphan care world and are continuing to make new friends. I really believe the more we work together the more we can do for the sake of the kingdom and God’s glory when it comes to adoption and orphan care.
Shoahannah’s Hope is one of our very good friends with whom we work with in helping churches get matching money for adoption funds.
I am also deeply involved in Together for Adoption, a ministry hosting regional adoption conferences focusing on theological adoption and its implications on our adoption of orphans (www.togetherforadoption.org). This past year we were also blessed to be exhibitors at the CCEF conference in Philadelphia (www.ccef.org), the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis (www.desirnggod.org), and most recently at the Alliance for Orphan Care Summitt IV in Ft. Lauderdale.
Is there any thing else you would like the reader to know about The Abba Fund?
Every dollar donated to the ABBA Fund goes directly to help unite a family through adoption. That is the same for the funds we administrate for churches. This is something we are committed too! All our operational costs are covered by our board and donors who have a vision for the long term sustainability of the ministry. We are actively praying for the day when we will have enough funds to provide financial help to every couple that applies! Join us in praying for that as well!
Above all we are excited about what the Lord is doing around the country in His church when it comes to adoption and orphan care. We count it an incredible privilege to play a small role in helping families live out God’s heart in caring for orphans through adoption.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday with an Orphan Advocate
Once in a while,... every so often, God sends a person across your path that radiantly shines forth his love and goodness into the world. The light of Jesus just seems to burst from this person. Their love of Jesus and compassion for those that need to feel God's light shine upon them is infectious. Once in a while,...every so often you meet a person who just gets it. They get what it means to follow Jesus. They get what it means to be His son or daughter. And just being with this person makes you feel closer to God himself. That is because Jesus lives in them and they live for Jesus.
This past Saturday, Amanda and I had the privilege to spend the morning with just such a person. It is amazing to me that as I become more involved in orphan ministry, the more of this kind of person I run into. This Saturday we spent the morning with Deb Gangemi. I first met Deb this past march in Sarasota. She and her husband, Tom, and two adopted boys host an orphan conference every year. This was the second year that they had hosted it. Before I went to the conference I talked to Deb on the phone, and Amanda can tell you how ministered too and encouraged I was just talking to Deb for only a few minutes. Deb is also arranging our orphan advocate team running/walking in the Sarasota Marathon in February. Deb is also a physical therapist and unselfishly, in Deb-like fashion, offered to give any of us on the team a free strength and flexibility testing. I took her up on this offer and spent Saturday morning learning all about myself and how I am build. She gave me exercises to do to get ready for my race and I know the things she taught me and Amanda will help me do well in the marathon and be useful the rest of my life. When we were finished with the testing, She told story after story of God's provision for orphans and adoption, both her own and ones shared with her. She brought tears to Amanda and my eyes as we listened to her shared how God works in the details of adoptions and the lives of those involved. She shared how adopting a son or daughter isn't a second choice, but just as good as having biological children. We were both encouraged and challenged. Thanks Deb for being all there for our Heavenly Father and letting him radically work through you. When I look at you I see Jesus.
Too visit Deb Gangemi's blog, (and I encourage you to do so) CLICK HERE!
This past Saturday, Amanda and I had the privilege to spend the morning with just such a person. It is amazing to me that as I become more involved in orphan ministry, the more of this kind of person I run into. This Saturday we spent the morning with Deb Gangemi. I first met Deb this past march in Sarasota. She and her husband, Tom, and two adopted boys host an orphan conference every year. This was the second year that they had hosted it. Before I went to the conference I talked to Deb on the phone, and Amanda can tell you how ministered too and encouraged I was just talking to Deb for only a few minutes. Deb is also arranging our orphan advocate team running/walking in the Sarasota Marathon in February. Deb is also a physical therapist and unselfishly, in Deb-like fashion, offered to give any of us on the team a free strength and flexibility testing. I took her up on this offer and spent Saturday morning learning all about myself and how I am build. She gave me exercises to do to get ready for my race and I know the things she taught me and Amanda will help me do well in the marathon and be useful the rest of my life. When we were finished with the testing, She told story after story of God's provision for orphans and adoption, both her own and ones shared with her. She brought tears to Amanda and my eyes as we listened to her shared how God works in the details of adoptions and the lives of those involved. She shared how adopting a son or daughter isn't a second choice, but just as good as having biological children. We were both encouraged and challenged. Thanks Deb for being all there for our Heavenly Father and letting him radically work through you. When I look at you I see Jesus.
Too visit Deb Gangemi's blog, (and I encourage you to do so) CLICK HERE!
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