January 27th OFF The WALL Meeting

I'm already very excited about our upcoming OFF The WALL Meeting in January.  Ken Hutcherson or "Hutch" is coming to Spokane to speak on the topic of "What can we do Together that we could never do Separately."  A very appropriate message to all of us in the church.  Here is some more information.  I've got posters and brochures.  If you would be interested in circulating the word let me know and I will get you some promotional material.

Talking to your child about their adoption

On Sunday we celebrated one year since the launch of OFF The WALL Ministry.  We had our fourth OFF The WALL Meeting.  Our first meeting was in December of 2010 where we spent time praying about what God would have the people of CTR do in the area of orphan care ministry; a ministry we felt was precious to the Lord.   The result of that time of prayer was the decision to start a bi-monthly (once every other month) meeting to support and encourage families in their adoption or foster care journey.  We realized that there is often much emphasis put on the PRE-adoption journey but that families often need even more help and encouragement in the POST-adoption journey.  There should be attention paid to both aspects of the journey.  We want to be a resource and an encouragement to families in all aspects of orphan care.

In June, Carey Hughes (pastor at CTR) gave a talk on "Why Christian's Should Adopt."

In September, Gary and Carli Robinson gave a talk on "Journeying Through Adoption: The Privilege and The Cost."

On Sunday evening, Greg and Terri Bade spoke on "Talking to Your Kids About Their Adoption."  One of the highlights of the talk was hearing three of the Bade's children share some of their adoption story.  Greg and Terri shared with us "9 BEs".

Here they are:

1. Be Open - Keep communication lines open, let your child know it is safe to discuss their adoption with you.

2. Be Honest - Don't embellish the story to make all the hard spots rosy.  Find a way to put the hard spots in as graciously as you can.

3. Be Brief - They do not need all the details at one time.

4. Be Discerning - Answer only what they are asking.

5. Be Age Appropriate - Keep your story to their age level.  You can add details as they get older.

6. Be Positive - Always honor birthparents.  Show God's plan.

7. Be Flexible - They want to talk when you least expect it.

8. Be Protective - Their story is precious to them.  Keep it special.

9. Be Gospel-Centered - This is the story of what God did in their lives.  Point them always to HIM.

The Bades did a fantastic job of sharing their wisdom with us in a transparent way.  They have much experience to bring to the table having brought 10 children into their family through many different adoption avenues.  One of the endearing qualities about the Bades is that they don't try to present an image of "having it all together."  How could you with 10 kids running around, right?

What a joy it was to see families coming from many different churches.

Looking forward to our next meeting as well on Friday, January 27th.  That will have to be for the next post.  Wait for it.  It's going to be exciting.

Next PROTECT Meeting Coming Soon....

OFF The WALL
P.R.O.T.E.C.T.

(People Responding to Orphans Through Encouragement, Care and Training)

SAVE THE DATE:

November 13, 5:30 pm at Christ The Redeemer Church

"Talking to Your Child about Their Adoption."

 So you've paid the money, finished the piles of paperwork, prepared the adorable bedroom and brought you new child home.  Now what?  Everyone is asking questions.  As soon as he can talk, your child begins to ask questions.  How do I help my child deal with the issues that brought him or her to us?  And how do I help them to listen to and process everything they hear about adoption?  Greg and Terri Bade, who have (only by God's grace) adopted 10 children, will share with us together about how they have gently, but openly talked over the years to their children about adoption and most specifically about their adoptions.  Greg and Terri will try desperately before November 13th to talk one or two of their older adopted kids into speaking to you as well, but this we all can only hope will happen!!  (Greg and Terri have adopted from Romania, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, U. S. private attorneys and the foster care system.)

Childcare and Dessert will be provided.  Please RSVP if you need childcare.

For future PROTECT meeting events and other orphan care resources check out: http://CTRorphancare.blogspot.com/

Contact: Jason Wiens  -  jandm@webband.com

Adoption: The Privilege and The Cost

Our last meeting was on September 18.  The Robinsons did an excellent job of sharing how their adoption journey over the past 25 years has been a privilege mixed with pain.  They showed us clearly that God has worked in their life to bring beauty out of brokenness.  I had hoped to video tape their talk but I had technical difficulties.  Recently I ran across a couple of resources that I would like to share in the vein of, "The Privilege and The Cost."

First, is a video put out by Empowered to Connect.  Dr. Karyn Purvis shares about "Counting The Cost of the Journey."  Here is their synopsis:

The adoption and foster care journey is filled with joy, blessings and beauty. But it is a journey also marked by loss, pain and challenges of various kinds. As a result we must be mindful to 'count the cost' of traveling this journey. Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages parents to 'count the cost" as they engage the adoption and foster care journey in a way that leads to hope and healing.

Counting the Cost of the Journey from Tapestry on Vimeo.

The second resource is a blog post by Russell Moore.  The title of the post is "Don't Adopt."  That sounds a bit harsh but I encourage you to read the post and catch his heart.  Here is a short snippet from his post:

If you want your “dream baby,” do not adopt or foster a child: buy a cat and make-believe. Adopting an orphan isn’t ordering a consumer item or buying a pet. Such a mindset hurts the child, and countless other children and families. Adoption is about taking on risk as cross-bearing love. 

For years, I’ve called Christian churches and families to our James 1:27 mandate to care for widows and orphans in their distress, to live out the adoption we’ve received in the gospel by adopting and fostering children. At the same time, I’ve maintained that, while every Christian is called to care for orphans and widows, not every Christian is called to adopt or foster. As a matter of fact, there are many who, and I say this emphatically, should not....

Foster Care Crisis in Spokane

With permission from the Foster Parents Association of Spokane, I am reposting an email they sent to me today.  Please spread the word to any friends you know of who might be considering foster care or adoption.

"CALL TO ACTION TODAY

Attention Spokane Community:  We are in a crisis.  We need more foster homes willing to take children now.
Here are the facts:
Placement Staff in Spokane County (Homes Finders) have placed 253 children in the last 3 months alone!  This is a dramatic increase over previous years.
Home Finders had to call 9 homes before they could find a home for a newborn baby.
Home Finders have had to separate sibling groups including a set of twins because we do not have enough homes.

We need your help today!

Here is your call to action.  Every foster parent recruit one new home by October 15th .  Please take this call to action and email me back that you will commit to recruit one new home by October 15th.  Orientation is scheduled for October 18th.
Together we CAN make a difference for the children of our community!

Linda Rogers, Regional Foster Parent Recruitment Coordinator 

509-389-7192

Please forward this Call To Action to your email list.

Visit www.fpas.org for contact information, training, etc."

You can read this news article if you want to read this information in a slightly different format.

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Meeting Tonight

P.R.O.T.E.C.T.

(People Responding to Orphans Through Encouragement, Care and Training)

eeeeeeeeee

September 18, 5:30 pm at Christ The Redeemer Church

1523 W. Mallon Ave.

"Journeying through Adoption: The Privilege, The Cost"

 Few parents anticipate the journey ahead after adopting a child. Like Abraham, parents obey God's calling and go into this unchartered territory with faith and excitement.  Gary and Carli Robinson have traveled life with six adopted children the past 25 years and continue to learn about God's grace, sovereignty, promises, and forgiveness.  They would like to share their story of privilege and cost with you.

Childcare and Dessert will be provided.

For future PROTECT meeting events and other orphan care resources check back.

Contact: Jason Wiens  -  jandm@webband.com for any questions.

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish all of you a very Happy Father's Day!  May God our Heavenly Father bless each of you richly.  On a day like today I am grateful that God gave me a father who modeled God's love to me and that his father (my grandfather) was also an excellent role model.  I am truly thankful for this rich Godly heritage.  Psalm 16:6 says, "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance" (ESV).  


What then should my response be to the huge need in the world to take care of the fatherless, orphans, vulnerable or children in situations of abuse?  Well I don't have all the answers (not even many of them) and frankly at times it all seems very overwhelming.  What I want to share with you today is a story about a couple who has become an inspiration to me.  In fact I have added them to my list of people who are my HEROs.  A hero to me is someone whose example draws me into a closer relationship with Christ Jesus.  


So the other night I met a couple who are in their late 70's. The husband is turning 80 next year. They had just received a community service award and the person presenting the award had listed off many things they have done to make our community a better place.  I don't remember everything she said but what caught my attention was, "They have fostered over 200 children and are currently fostering a 4 month old boy."  I leaned over to my wife and said, "I'm going to meet that couple later."  I did go meet them and then I called them last night and we talked some more.  Their legacy is rich and I know that they will wear a bejeweled crown in heaven.  They are truly believers in Jesus.  That was evident from the beginning but they are quick to point out that they are simply acting on what God has called them to do with the gifts God has given them and with the daily energy, patience, love, wisdom that God supplies.  They said, "We just take one child at a time right now.  It is important not to take on more than you can handle.  Only do what God has given for you to do."  This family has truly become the father to the fatherless for so many.  When believers take care of children in need it gives the world a peek at the heart of The Gospel.
  
I hope that this couple will be an inspiration to you as they have been to me.  We have plans that they will be speak at one of our future PROTECT meetings.  To this day they are heavily involved in helping in the foster care system.  If you are interested in learning more about foster care (short term or long term) in Spokane I would point you to two websites: Olive Crest and Foster Parents Association of Spokane.  

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Kick-off Meeting

On June 5th at 5:30 pm, Christ The Redeemer Church will be having their "kick off" orphan care support meeting called P.R.O.T.E.C.T.  Pastor Carey Hughes will be speaking on "The Vision for Orphan Care Ministry at CTR, in Spokane and to the ends of the earth."  Join us if you would like to see how you can be involved in orphan care ministry.

Are you:

1) contemplating adoption/foster care

2) in the process of bringing an orphaned child into your family

3) in the post adoption journey and needing the help and support of others who have been through the adoption/foster care process

4) part of the community of someone who has fostered or adopted.

If you are in any one of these four categories then we would like to see you on June 5th.  Please call Jason Wiens at 280-2132 if you have questions.

People Responding to Orphans Through Encouragement Care and Training
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.  Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Bi-Monthly Adoption/Foster Care Support Meeting

Kick-off Meeting

June 5 @ 5:30 pm

Desert and Coffee will be served

“The Vision for Orphan Care Ministry at CTR, in Spokane, and to the ends of the earth”

Speaker: Carey Hughes

Future Topics:

Attachment/Bonding:The post adoption journey

Community Resources

Dealing with pre-natal exposure to drugs/alcohol

Panel Discussions: Answering your child's hard questions

Others topics to come...

Purpose of Support Meetings: 

-seek to build and strengthen community 

-gain wisdom in important areas of orphan care 

-pray and encourage those in the adoption/foster care journey

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry please email Jason Wiens: jandm@webband.com