Archive for May, 2012

International Adoption and the “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” Movie

Posted on: May 25th, 2012 by darcher

It started as a book that helped so many families through their pregnancy, and now it’s a movie – What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This romantic comedy follows the stories of five Atlanta couples as they encounter the joys and challenges of the childbirth process. For the character played by actress/singer and American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez, her storyline is one of International Adoption. She plays a woman who adopts a baby from Ethiopia after she and her husband have difficulty conceiving.

In typical Hollywood fashion, ‘reel life’ is far different than ‘real life’ when it comes to adoption. While we were pleasantly surprised to see the inclusion of international adoption as one of the storylines in this film, the adoption details they portray are a far cry from reality. J-Lo and her on-screen husband choose Ethiopia, then just a few weeks later they get a referral and a picture of an adorable, six-week old healthy baby boy. A few months after that they’re in Ethiopia, saying an oath and receiving their infant baby with a bunch of other families who are also receiving infants.

While we all wish international adoption was that quick and easy because there are so many orphans in need who deserve to be in a loving family, the reality is there are many more steps and many more months of waiting in the process. Our advice is to go and enjoy the movie, and then call our experienced adoption inquiry coordinators to get the real story on what to expect when you’re expecting to adopt internationally!

Haiti Embrace Mission Team – All Arrived Safely

Posted on: May 24th, 2012 by fbetzer

The Team all arrived safely in Haiti today. Many thanks to everyone who is praying for the team.

Part of the group was able to visit FMI’s Gift of God orphanage and spend time with the orphans living there.

Following dinner, we spent time organizing the donations team members brought to give to the ministries we will be helping. Everyone has been so generous. The support they have received from their home churches and local communities is amazing. We will be able to bless hundreds of children with all of the items.

Haiti Embrace Mission Team – May 24-28

Posted on: May 23rd, 2012 by fbetzer

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Psalm 82:3

Our next Embrace Mission team will be entering Haiti on Thursday May 24 to help prepare the Rivers of Hope Home to care for orphans and visit orphans at FMI’s Gift of God orphanage.

Please be in prayer for members of the team as they arrive from all across the US – that this may be a time of service, a time of loving compassion for orphans, and a time of God’s empowerment in the lives of each team member.

Follow this ministry to the orphan in Haiti through blog updates and leave a message of encouragement for the group or a specific member of the team.

Learn more about AGCI’s ministry to orphans in Haiti.

Save The Adoption Tax Credit

Posted on: May 21st, 2012 by darcher

Save The Adoption Tax Credit is one of the most urgent and important issues in the world of adoption today. We are part of a group of leading adoption service providers who are working to engage the US government in crafting policies favorable to families, children and intercountry adoption – and the tax credit is at the top of the list. Without reinstating the tax credit, many families finalizing their adoption in 2012 and all families finalizing in 2013 will lose over $13,000 in tax credits. This will seriously impact the number of families who are willing and able to adopt children domestically, internationally or through the US Foster Care system.

You can get involved and let your voice be heard through two simple steps.

1)  “Like” the Save the Adoption Tax Credit Facebook page and urge friends, family and constituents to “like” it as well.

2)   Contact your member of the House of Representatives to ask for co-sponsorship of HR 4373, the Making Adoption Affordable Act (and urge your friends, family and constituents to do so as well).  For talking points, click here.  Remember, you can find your rep at http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/.  A special thanks to our friends at the National Council for Adoption for the creation of the Adoption Tax Credit Advocacy Kit.