I had plans for a fun blog highlighting our girls' first Christmas home and some of the fun things we've been doing the last couple of weeks - but it didn't feel right posting that right now. You see, my heart is breaking for the Russian orphans right now.
For those unaware, Russian President Putin signed a bill into law this week banning adoptions by US Citizens. The door has been closed for Americans to adopt Russian children. There is a lot of political stuff that goes with this, and I don't really want to get into all of that to be honest. Here's what I do want to say though - please pray for Russia, for their orphans, for their lawmakers, for their citizens. Russia's goal is a Russia without orphans - and I think that is a fantastic goal! But the reality is right now there are approximately 700,000 orphans in Russia - and approximately 11,000 Russian citizens adopted last year. So pray for the people of Russia - that they will answer this call, and take care of these children. Pray too for the lawmakers, an amendment to the bill has already been proposed - that adoptions of children with special needs be allowed to continue. This is huge - as obviously these are the orphans that have stolen our hearts.
But mostly, I ask that you pray for the children and our friends. Pray for all the orphans who will never have the chance to know a mom or dad. Especially those with special needs, as they are the least likely to be adopted by Russian citizens. Russian orphans are required to be listed for adoption to just Russian citizens for a minimum of 9 months before they are available to adopted internationally. That means, any child who is available for international adoption has been turned down by Russian families - or completely passed over. For example, our girls files were reviewed by a number of Russian families - Dasha was turned down by 11 Russian families and Emily was turned down by 13, because they have down syndrome. So these are the orphans that will suffer the most - as less orphans leave their orphanages (because of less adoptions), the orphanages and baby houses will be over crowded, which will in turn mean that the orphans with special needs will probably be transferred to asylums and adult mental institutions even earlier. We have met these kids - and this breaks our hearts! They deserve better than this!!!
And finally pray for our friends. We have so many friends (and even family!!) currently adopting from Russia - all in different stages of their adoptions. Some of are just beginning, and others have traveled and MET their children - some have even had their court hearings - but none of them know if they will ever be able to see their children again. I can't imagine the heartbreak they must be feeling! It's definitely made me hug our girls a little tighter this week. It makes me sad to think about telling our girls that they were some of the last children to be adopted from Russia - potentially ever. I have a mixture of relief and guilt going through my mind right now. So thankful our girls are home with us forever, but I feel so horrible for those who might not have that chance.
I've chosen to link this blog up with some other moms who adopted from Russia as well. We're sharing our before and after pictures of our children, as a visual reminder of what a difference love and a family can make. We don't have dramatic changes yet, as our girls have been home just a few weeks (17 days!!!) - but it's amazing to see the light in their eyes and see their skin and hair looking so much healthier already!!!!
For those unaware, Russian President Putin signed a bill into law this week banning adoptions by US Citizens. The door has been closed for Americans to adopt Russian children. There is a lot of political stuff that goes with this, and I don't really want to get into all of that to be honest. Here's what I do want to say though - please pray for Russia, for their orphans, for their lawmakers, for their citizens. Russia's goal is a Russia without orphans - and I think that is a fantastic goal! But the reality is right now there are approximately 700,000 orphans in Russia - and approximately 11,000 Russian citizens adopted last year. So pray for the people of Russia - that they will answer this call, and take care of these children. Pray too for the lawmakers, an amendment to the bill has already been proposed - that adoptions of children with special needs be allowed to continue. This is huge - as obviously these are the orphans that have stolen our hearts.
But mostly, I ask that you pray for the children and our friends. Pray for all the orphans who will never have the chance to know a mom or dad. Especially those with special needs, as they are the least likely to be adopted by Russian citizens. Russian orphans are required to be listed for adoption to just Russian citizens for a minimum of 9 months before they are available to adopted internationally. That means, any child who is available for international adoption has been turned down by Russian families - or completely passed over. For example, our girls files were reviewed by a number of Russian families - Dasha was turned down by 11 Russian families and Emily was turned down by 13, because they have down syndrome. So these are the orphans that will suffer the most - as less orphans leave their orphanages (because of less adoptions), the orphanages and baby houses will be over crowded, which will in turn mean that the orphans with special needs will probably be transferred to asylums and adult mental institutions even earlier. We have met these kids - and this breaks our hearts! They deserve better than this!!!
And finally pray for our friends. We have so many friends (and even family!!) currently adopting from Russia - all in different stages of their adoptions. Some of are just beginning, and others have traveled and MET their children - some have even had their court hearings - but none of them know if they will ever be able to see their children again. I can't imagine the heartbreak they must be feeling! It's definitely made me hug our girls a little tighter this week. It makes me sad to think about telling our girls that they were some of the last children to be adopted from Russia - potentially ever. I have a mixture of relief and guilt going through my mind right now. So thankful our girls are home with us forever, but I feel so horrible for those who might not have that chance.
I've chosen to link this blog up with some other moms who adopted from Russia as well. We're sharing our before and after pictures of our children, as a visual reminder of what a difference love and a family can make. We don't have dramatic changes yet, as our girls have been home just a few weeks (17 days!!!) - but it's amazing to see the light in their eyes and see their skin and hair looking so much healthier already!!!!
4 comments:
Wow, I'm impressed by the number of families who even reviewed your girls' files! We learned in court that only one Russian family looked at Lina's file while she was at the baby house and they turned her down before even going to meet her. No one else inquired about her whatsoever for her 5 years of life. We were the first family to ever visit her- her biological family never came either. :( Praying for all the sweet children we left behind.
This is just so heartbreaking. Praying this adoption ban will be lifted, and that those in the adoption process now can still adopt their children.
I am so glad you got your girls out in time Jennifer. It's amazing to see what having a family has done for them, they're beautiful. Loved the before and after photo's of all the other kiddo's as well.
This is so heartbreaking. I wish they'd let the pending adoptions be carried out since they were already in the process. :-(
Very beautifully written, Jennifer. And the photos at the end say it all.
Post a Comment