More Adoption Prayers

Adoption is a topic that has become quite close to my heart in recent years. I have several friends who are either adopted or who have adopted, both domestically and internationally. I've mentioned my friend Betsy several times before and solicited your prayers on behalf of her and her family as they journeyed to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter, Addison.

Now I'm asking for your prayers again, this time for a family who I don't know firsthand but who are friends of friends of my sister (you follow me?). They have been in the process of adopting a little boy, Kirill, from Russia. Kirill has Down Syndrome, and adoptions of children with Down Syndrome from Kirill's region are unheard of; such children are usually locked away from society and institutionalized.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the family was in Russia for their court hearing, thinking that all was smooth sailing and that the adoption would be approved. However, the judge denied them the adoption, saying that although their paperwork was in order and they seemed to be fit parents, she thought that the boy would be better off institutionalized rather than in an adoptive home.

The family is now appealing to the Supreme Court in Moscow. You can click here to read more about Kirill's story on mom Tesney's blog. Please join in praying that a judge will grant the adoption and that they will be able to bring Kirill home very soon. Pray also that by allowing this family to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, it will change the thinking of the adoption system and open the floodgates for more special needs children to be adopted.

Say a Prayer

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned my friends Betsy and Chad who are adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. Earlier this week Betsy and her mom traveled to Ethiopia to finalize the paperwork and bring the baby home. Little Addison is now officially a U.S. citizen, and she is now flying home with her new mom and grandma. Tomorrow they'll arrive in the U.S. and Addison will get to meet her brand new family, which includes three big brothers.

Please take a minute to say a prayer for their loooooong plane trip and especially for this season of transition for Betsy, Chad, their boys, and Addison, as well as their extended family.

You can read more about Betsy and Chad's journey to adoption on Betsy's blog.