Meeting Went Well

I think our meeting with our caseworker went really well. She asked us a very good question. "Why are you adopting? Is it to provide a loving home for a child? Because if so, you need to think about what line you choose to get into. There is no shortage of available homes for American newborns. But, there are other countries that have children lined up waiting on families. So, you need to decide if it is worth it to forego the amount you have invested in Carolina Hope to pursue another country through a different agency." So, currently, we are looking a little harder at the Philippines. We may find we come back to domestic because that is all that we can make work. But for now, we are looking at the Philippines and possibly Taiwan as well. I have a college friend that was an MK in the Philippines. Her parents are still serving there and our church supports them- the Becks. Anyway, below is a note I received from Abbey this morning:

Hi,
I am so excited that you might be adopting from the Philippines! I'm sure that by now you have heard that poverty is rampant and many children are born into a life on the streets, begging and child prostitution. Being able to adopt a child out of these circumstances is one of the best ways, I think, to share Christ's love.

We don't know anyone that has adopted from outside the Philippines. The friends we know have been waiting at least over a year...but for some reason I think people in their situation (adopting from within the Philippines) have more red tape.

Anyways...I can honestly recommend the Little Children's Home. Their website is www.helpintl.org and they have a blog at helpintlmin.blogspot.com A little background - Dennis and Jerri Gunderson have been missionaries there for probably over 20 years. Their daughter Debrorah Gustafson and her family are also working there. Deb is a midwife. Dennis passed away last year from a bacterial infection, but Jerri and Deborah and family are still keeping the home and ministry running. Two years ago, my parents fostered a baby girl from that home for 3 months and we helped to care for her on Sat nights. Well, that's one of the many homes in the Philippines...not sure if you get to choose, but that's a start!
Abbey

**Update**
The home is about 10 min from where the Becks live and 10 min from Faith Academy (a large MK school). It's right outside the capitol city of Manila.