Recently, we have had so many asking us about our decision to adopt, why we chose Russia, why didn't we adopt from US, and why are we continuing such an expensive endeavor when we are short money. Well, how can you get others, especially nonbelievers, to understand being "called by God" to adopt? I am not sure I really do a good job of explaining so I have added this to my daily prayer list.
What I have become quite adept at is explaining why people should adopt and/or support those who are adopting. When Don and I had our booth at Mango Mania, we handed out information about adoption. Here are some of the statistics* we found:
- Every day 5, 760 more children become orphans
- Every year 2 million children become orphans in Africa alone
- About 143 million orphans in the world today will spend an average of 10 years in an orphanage or foster home
- Although about 250,000 children are adopted worldwide annually, about 14 million will grow up as orphans and age out of the system
- In Ukraine and Russia, 10%-15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before the age of 18. Sixty per cent of the girls will be lured into prostitution.
- Many children who age out will accept jobs that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves
*Adapted from the Home for Good Foundation www.hfgf.org
So, knowing these statistics and meeting our little girl in January, how could we NOT complete our adoption.
We have to get back to Russia, we have to bring her home, we have to set up our adoption ministry, and we have to help others adopt.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress....James 1:27
Thanks for letting me share,
Elizabeth
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We made two trips to Russia in 2008. We had to stay over in Moscow going and coming both times. The first trip going we used the ARBAT for $400. Returning we tried the apartments. It worked very well for us. Some folks may be uneasy but our driver spoke with the apartment representative on the phone. The rep met us at the apartment and he had fairly good English. We used them again on the next time back and also with our 10 year old daughter on the return. We do not speak Russian it can be a little intimidating but it was fun and exciting for us. We saved around $1900 total.
http://www.russia-for-travel.com/
We stayed in this one. It is a 10 minute walk to the ARBAT Hotel that cost $400 on our first trip. We were much more comfortable here with a teapot and microwave.
http://www.russia-for-travel.com/object/292/
Make sure you are close to the center of town. Check out the nearest Metro stop. The metro can be intimidating as well but is a great experience.
Sandy & Dale
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