The following post was originated by another host mom. It discusses a very delicate subject that we will need your help and cooperation with while we open our home to Gundars and Elina this summer. She has shared the post and given both her permission and encouragement to share it with our friends and family. Please read this post with a discerning and understanding heart. We want nothing to hurt our kiddos or endanger the various hosting programs across the country that minister to the hearts and lives of orphans around the world.
The "A" Word
With Gundars and Elina arriving in less than a week I thought it was time to cover a very important topic...the "A" word!!
What might the "A" word be, you ask???
ADOPTION !!!
New Horizons for Children is NOT an adoption agency. They are a hosting program only, and any mention of the word adoption jeopardizes their program. While it is true that 65% of the children who are hosted this summer will go on to be adopted by families in the United States, it is not beneficial to the children for adoption to be discussed in their presence. The ONLY thing they have been promised is a summer in America. They are essentially going on a five week vacation to another country, that is it! They all know they will be returning to their own countries once the five weeks are up! The only thing worse than a child living in an orphanage, is having hopes raised that their life is going to change, they will be adopted, and then they are not. More often than not, children who are told they are being adopted, or being led to believe this, are the same ones WHO ARE NOT EVER ADOPTED.
We may NOT talk to Gundars and Elina about any aspect of adoption; or mention the possibility, the concept, the thought process, or any form of the "A" word in their presence, and we ask that you respect this rule as well. Living my entire life as an "adopted child", that word is a part of my everyday life. I would consider myself to be a huge advocate for adoption, but I, myself, will have to be oh, so, careful. Please join us and help us to protect these kiddos.
You may THINK the kids do not understand any English but they may actually pick up on various parts of conversations. We have been asked to be super proactive in letting others know this rule before we run into a problem (hence this blog post). In the past, slip ups have occurred in the following ways and have really caused heartache. Here are some examples of actual instances that have happened.
- In the concept of discussing a pet's "adoption"...a child heard the word and didn't realize it was in relation to a pet, but thought it was for him! It wasn't.....
- When attending a church service, the pastor was so excited to welcome the hosted children present, he asked for church members to pray that each child would get adopted.
- When a mom was driving down the road with music playing, she thought her hosted child couldn't understand, so she called someone and discussed adoption of the child. The child heard and soon spread the "news" to others at group events that they were all being adopted.
- In discussing the joy of personally being an "adopted" child, a parent was trying to share a personal experience, but the child misunderstood and thought it was about him/her.
In other news, we are still some $2800.00 away from our hosting fees being totally funded. We are excited about the upcoming Spirit Day at Chick Fil-A - Waxahachie on this next Monday, June 25. We have been blessed today with the community support we have seen in an effort to get the word out. We cordially invite you to join us if there is any way possible you can attend.
http://www.active.com/donate/summer2012/Myers-Partyof4
Be Blessed,
Carol
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