Adopting a Waiting Child

by Brett Foley

My wife Cheryl and I adopted our sons, Alexander and Benjamin, from South Korea, and in 2006 we decided to adopt through Holt International’s China program.

Cheryl had wanted to adopt a daughter from China since at least 2004, and she had an ally in our daughter, Leah, who had been praying for a little sister for quite some time. They finally got me on board, and we got started on the long road of adoption again. When we received and scanned over the big red book that explained Holt’s China adoption process we were a little overwhelmed. Adopting from China looked a lot more difficult than adopting from Korea.

We started in the standard China program but also decided to be in the Waiting Child program simultaneously. It proved to be a good choice. If we had only been in the standard program, we would still be waiting (possibly years) longer for just a child referral. So our road wasn’t as long as it might have been.

We traveled to China to receive Jenna in 2007 when she was 3 years old. Born with a cleft palate and large birthmark on the right side of her face and neck, Jenna had been abandoned in Shennong Park when she was 1 month old. The cleft palate had already been surgically repaired in China before we received her. Read the rest of this entry »

Support from the Holt forum and staff helps a family as they wait for their daughter

by Heather Hansen

With four children, my husband, Kent, and I were content with our already large family. However, after his sister and brother-in-law adopted a daughter from China, we began considering whether we could open our home and hearts to another child.

One evening, my husband and I went to dinner to have uninterrupted time to discuss our decision. While at the restaurant, we ran into a friend of ours, Dean. Dean and his wife were in the process of adopting two sisters from Ethiopia, and Kent asked him why they decided to adopt. I will never forget Dean’s response. He said, “You only get one shot at life. Why wouldn’t we do something that will bless our family in ways we can’t even imagine?” As we considered his words, our decision became clear!

We decided that, since our decision would affect the lives of our children, we should include them in the decision. That evening, we gathered the children for a “family council,” and asked each of them if they wanted to adopt another sibling. They each said yes, and were all very excited about the idea. We later learned that, half a world away, our little angel was born that same day in Pune, India.

Our first steps were to select an agency and decide from what country to adopt. We learned of Holt International from a friend, and called them several times with questions. They were always helpful, and it felt like a good fit. We ultimately decided to adopt a little girl from India, and submitted our application in 2007.

Holt’s India Program staff members were invaluable in guiding us through the process. They introduced us to the India Forum on the Holt website. That became my life-line over the next year. At first, the home study seemed daunting. I cleaned every closet, dusted the blinds and tried to sterilize our sons’ bedrooms. In the end, it was all unnecessary. Our social worker was very nice and gave us valuable information about what to expect when we brought the baby home. As an added bonus, I did have a clean house (at least for a while)! We submitted the paperwork and were officially “logged-in.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Caring for ‘the least of these’

Tony Nolan, dedicated advocate of Holt International’s work, recently traveled to China with his wife, Tammy, to receive the newest member of their family, Joy. On this trip, the Nolan’s visited a Holt –supported foster family in Nanchang and Holt’s baby care unit, and learned of the great need that still exists for these children to continue to receive quality care.

by Tony Nolan

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis talks about the law of human nature. When you see someone in great need, there’s something in you that no matter who you are instinctively wants to engage and help that person. When my family and I traveled to China to receive our daughter, Fei Fei “Joy” Nolan, and visited Holt’s foster care programs and baby care unit, I felt like we were in the zenith of one of those moments, viewing the loving care provided to the desperate and helpless children.

The children we saw in Holt’s foster care programs are completely dependent on their foster family. As I witnessed the love that Mrs. Lee, one of the devoted foster mothers, showed to her foster babies, I thought about how God has a great love for children in need that had him say: ‘Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.”

I stood in the Lee family’s small, humble home and witnessed people caring for ‘the least of these’, giving two precious children a home, a family and a chance. To look into the eyes of Mrs. Lee and to see the love she had for these babies is a powerful testimony of the mission of Holt.

Without foster parents like the Lees, and without funds provided by the Holt Child Sponsorship program, these children don’t stand a chance. Giving is so important in the lives of children in Holt’s care, it allows foster parents and caretakers to take such good care of them…it truly is something to celebrate.

On our trip, my family, and I also visited Holt’s baby care unit at the Nanchang Orphanage. These abandoned and vulnerable babies are wrapped up and taken into Holt’s care, which fosters healthcare, nutrition and so much more. A lot of the babies have cleft lips and it takes the caregivers twice as long to feed them, but they always care for them with patience and love. Read the rest of this entry »

A childhood ailment leads to a bright future for a college graduate

By Susan Cavendish

We adopted Mindy through Holt from South Korea in 1987.  It was discovered shortly after that Mindy had a huge hole in her eardrum. Over the next months, her eardrum deteriorated until there was no eardrum in her left ear. She suffered frequent ear infections and febrile seizures, as well as had major speech delays.

We moved from Nebraska to New York and began seeing a new Ear Nose and Throat Doctor who Mindy adored. He told us about a surgery that Mindy would be able to have when she was 8 years old. Meanwhile, she would have to undergo surgeries to remove the cysts that formed deep in her ear canal. Mindy lived with pain in her ear most of the time, and we constantly prayed that something could be done.

A few months after our first visit to the doctor, Mindy had an appointment to schedule surgery to remove a painful cyst. That night Mindy awoke screaming in pain. I carried her downstairs where I was watching the movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told”.

Mindy asked, “Mommy, can Jesus still make people all better like He did in the movie?” I really didn’t know, and I said so. Mindy folded her hands and bowed her little head. She prayed out loud: “God and Jesus please fix my ear and make it better. I love you. Amen.”

The next morning, we went to see Dr. Rodriguez for the pre-surgery visit. He looked in one ear, then the other shook his head and said, “There is a brand new baby eardrum in there!” Well, the nurse had to look. Then the doctor had to look again! Pretty soon, people were coming in and out, looking in Mindy’s ear. Dr. Rodriguez said, “I just don’t know how this happened. Two days ago, there was no eardrum in here.”

Mindy said, “I asked Jesus to fix my ear, and He did!”

I almost fell off of my chair! Mindy smiled sweetly and told the doctor her ears didn’t hurt anymore. Read the rest of this entry »

Foster mothers from South Korea visit Holt Headquarters

Two foster mothers from Seoul, South Korea, made the long journey to Holt’s headquarters in Eugene, Oregon in November for a very special day that would reunite them with the children they had said goodbye to so long ago.

Mrs. Jang, Woo-kyung and Mrs. Lee, Chung-sun have dedicated their lives to orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children for over 15 years, each selflessly taking care of 40 and 38 children, respectively, some of whom have special needs.

On that same day, seven adoptive families, some from as far as the Midwest, also traveled to Holt’s headquarters to reunite their children with the foster mothers and show their appreciation to the women who had cared for their children and prepared them for a lifetime of love with their new families.

“When we arrived at Holt’s headquarters, Mrs. Lee turned and saw Trent. In a voice that was part sigh of relief, but completely joyous, she said, “Hyo-sung!” said Dawn Reed, mother of Trent, one of Mrs. Lee’s foster children. “Hyo-sung was Trent’s Korean name, and Mrs. Lee knew him. This woman, who had only mothered my son for two months, recognized him 6 years later. She told us that she knew his eyes.”

When children come into care at Holt Korea, it’s the foster mothers, like Mrs. Jang and Mrs. Lee, who wrap them up and give them comfort and warmth for most likely the first time in their lives. They love the children as if they were their own and provide for them until they go home to loving families.

During the emotional visit to Eugene, the foster mothers and adoptive families got the chance to visit Harry and Bertha Holt’s home in Creswell, and spent some time in the place where the legacy of love and caring began over 50 years ago. The children were allowed to play on the property and bond once again with the first mothers they had ever known. Read the rest of this entry »

A love of Africa paves the way for twin boys to be adopted

by Sunshine Schmidt

Africa has always been in my heart and will continue to be forever. I think the idea to adopt started to take sprout when my husband and I lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. Seeing such an amazing country face such huge obstacles touched us in a way that cannot be forgotten.

Because of our connection to southern Africa, and love and appreciation of the people and culture, we looked to that region for our adoption. After our research we determined that we would need to look to other African nations with more stable and developed international adoption legislation. As an anthropologist and natural researcher, I enjoyed learning more about the different countries, and Ethiopia stood out as a proud and beautiful country. Our decision was made; our children would come from Ethiopia!

We received our referral in September of 2008 for 10-month-old twin boys. Abdurahamen (Abdur) and Nursun were going to be our sons!

21 weeks and what felt like a lifetime later, we met our boys for the first time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kissing the faces of our children and holding them in our arms for the first time is an indescribable feeling and one that I will never forget. Read the rest of this entry »

President of the United States Barack Obama recently urged Americans to “obverse National Adoption Awareness Month by reaching out to support and honor adoptive families, as well as to participate actively in efforts to find permanent homes for children.”

Tomorrow courthouses across America will celebrate National Adoption Day by simultaneously finalizing hundreds of adoptions.

The finalization of an adoption symbolizes many wonderful things, one of which is the completion of a complex and emotional process that began with a carefully made decision and commitment of the heart.

“This month, we celebrate those families brought together by adoption,” said President Obama. “And we renew our commitments to children in the foster care system.”

If you are interested in more information how to build your family through the wonderful journey of adoption, Holt International invites you to join us for an upcoming Webinar to learn about our unique, child-centered approach to intercountry adoption. Also learn about timeframes, the steps involved, travel, costs, and receive your questions throughout the live Webinar.

Or if you are ready to begin the adoption process, you can apply online today.

Feel free to call Holt with any questions you may have. 888-355-HOLT or e-mail us.

Click-here-to-read-President-Obama’s-entire-proclamation

Holt Ambassadors participate in the Omaha Marathon

Holt runners and aid station volunteers came together to participate in the Omaha Marathon 2009 to raise money and awareness for the Holt Ethiopia program. Nearly 15 Holt runners participated in the 10K and the half marathon portions of the event, and another 10 volunteers helped out by directing runners along the route and handing out Holt items at the finish line.

Through the team’s hard work and passionate efforts, runners were able to raise $3,565, making the event a huge success! This money will go to provide the children in Ethiopia with much needed medical supplies.

The race began at 7:00 AM, and as the Holt team began the first mile, minds were focused not so much on the physical race that the team was running, but on the figurative race – the race to bring medical supplies to the children who are waiting in Holt’s care in Ethiopia.

Every child deserves a home, and while these children wait for their forever families, the team focused their minds on Holt’s dedication to providing a safe and healthy environment for them. Some runners wore pictures of their own children on their Holt t-shirts, those waiting to come home and those who have already come home, and this helped add a very personal touch to the race. The mood was festive, but everyone was keenly aware of the seriousness of the cause.

“Several runners commented on the picture I pinned to the back of my shirt of my son Jack wearing his most infectious grin! It helped open the door to conversations about Holt and our cause,” said Holt mom Cathy Morin. Read the rest of this entry »

November is National Adoption Awareness month. This is a wonderful time to spread the word about children throughout the world who need loving families, and acknowledge adoption as one way to build a family.

Many Holt adoptive families have found a great way to raise awareness about adoption and help more children find families through the Holt Ambassadors program.

The Holt Ambassador Network is composed of people who share the Holt story and raise awareness in their communities about the urgent needs of homeless children around the world by: organizing fundraisers, speaking at churches, schools or civic groups; or volunteering at Holt events. One of these families is the Burns family…

Brad and Liza Burns are the proud parents of eight children, five of whom were adopted from China. When Brad and Liza adopted their first daughter, Faith, their eyes were opened to the great need for adoptive parents for children in China.

“After seeing the difficulties these children face, we felt called to look into adopting another child, and that’s how we got our second daughter, Hope.” says Brad. “Hope was five years old when we adopted her. She lived in a state run institution, and her room, which she shared with another child, was eight by five feet with a small bed on the cement floor and a Red Cross blanket. The workers do wonderful things with what they have and truly have a heart to help children, but the fact is, they just don’t have enough resources.”

Brad and Liza later adopted Grace and Joy, and most recently, Jewel, who was 14 years old at time of placement.

Brad and Liza shared their experience of adopting older children with 30 attendees in last month’s Holt Webinar titled “Adopting Older Children – Information for the Decision.” The Webinar attendees were prospective adoptive parents considering an older child through Holt’s Journey of Hope program.

The Burns family talked candidly about the grief process the children went through as they adjusted to their new lives in the United States. They shared how they helped their daughters adjust and become the resilient, happy, vibrant young ladies they are today. Read the rest of this entry »

The China Child of Promise program matches prospective adoptive parents with children who have minor and correctable needs ranging from: missing or extra digits, cleft lip/palate, club feet, and minor heart conditions.

The children in the program do not have life-long health or learning disabilities, and their ‘special need’ can often be corrected with surgery, if it hasn’t been corrected already.

Parents are able to decide which medical needs they feel are within their capacity to care for by filling out a minor/correctable conditions checklist.

Joining this program does not exclude you from the standard waiting process; it simply expands your options and gives you the chance to be matched with a child much quicker!

The following is a story about a little boy named Daniel, a China Child of Promise, who had a minor case of clubfeet. He just recently came home to his permanent family….learn more about Holt’s Child China of Promise program

by Michele Mazzio

Adoption was something that my husband and I talked about many years ago, particularly after we lost our son, Brendan, to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in 2001. After a long grief process we started to explore and research domestic and international adoption. We discussed the programs and met with various people who had adopted internationally.

As a teenage girl I dreamed of having a little girl from China, and my husband was open to this, as well. After a little over a year of paperwork and wait time, we adopted our daughter, Emma from the Province of Guangdong in 2005. After so many years of empty hearts and arms we held our healthy 15-month old little girl. We were so excited and thrilled to have been blessed by this gift.

Emma is now an amazing 5-year-old girl who loves to hula-hoop, do gymnastics, play the piano and just enjoy life every day. As her pre-K teacher tells her: “You are the sunshine in my classroom.” She has certainly been my sunshine and warms my heart every day. Emma has taught us so much more about love and life and the importance of family. She has even taught me how to parent a child after the loss of another.

My husband and I decided that we wanted to take another journey back to China and adopt another little girl. We completed our paperwork and submitted our dossier to China in 2006. At the time we knew that the wait would be longer than before but not that the wait time would get extended each month that went by.

One day I was reading an article about Holt’s China Child of Promise Program and about little boys who need families too. When I think about adoption from China, I only naturally think about the little girls. I had never thought about adopting a boy from China. Read the rest of this entry »