that tree is awesome. God did good. thanks for capturing it. I LOVE TREES. And miss this kind when we're here...

As I read through all of these comments, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you. The emotions and issues involved in international adoption are so complicated. Thank you for loving and giving sacrificially. It's really beautiful, and I want to sit in a room and be able to talk about this stuff face to face. Is there a place either online or somewhere else for that? I NEED IT.
We are a missionary family living in West Africa. We are currently fostering a local boy who is in process to move to the US with an awesome Christian family. We are managing his adoption on this side for friends. Adoptions to America from here are very rare and really have only been done by people living in country. Through all of this, the doors have been opened in our hearts to see what's really going on with orphans in developing countries. We now want and are beginning in an effort to start a chldrens village here. All of that to say, I see both sides of the conversation. Because I want to help provide care for orphans here. To enable the many who don't get to go live in America to have a healthy and happy life. I think the way institutions are allowed to operate here is a crime. But I also don't think that adopting all 147 million orphans in the world to American families is possible or the right answer. Diversity and culture make our world so beautiful. And I would LOVE to tell every body how to spend their money- I would love EVERY church in America to spend money help solve the orphan crisis.
I love that so many are building their families through international adoption. And I think that for those of you who feel that call, it is absolutely the right thing. But Tim was right when he said that it is the Christians in these countries who will end up being the world changers. That's the only way to solve the problem- grow the church. I hope and pray that in 20 years some of these children return to their birth countries to help make a difference.

I also want to touch on the concept of our finances belonging to us. This one is so hard for me because we sold everything to live "the missionary life". We own nothing. We live on what others give us. And everything we have is from God. When I worked for a paycheck, I felt like that money was mine. I have learned that it never was. God calls us to a higher level of stewardship with our finances. We are accountable to him. Some day all of those who have tried to make money off of fatherless children will stand before the heavenly father and have to give a report. But so will everyone else. Living here, I wrestle with that one every day. Because there is a line somewhere. My family eats three meals a day. We drive by beggars every day. Having it right there, next to us, makes us feel the poverty and need more than when we're in America. HE calls us to feed the hungry and love the fatherless. With our own hands. So thank you to all you who are doing that. And if anyone has ideas on how to continue these kinds of conversations, I would LOVE to hear about that.

I would agree about the dollar signs. Here in sub saharan africa I would say that is very true.

Thank you Tim. Such wisdom here.
I love your response in every way. I just want to say that in some places the local church is just not strong enough to go it on their own. Organizations like the global orphan project really have the right idea. But in some places, that's just not possible. The children need help and the church isn't big enough or strong enough to fill the need.
Thanks for what you said about trying to rescue a child instead of build a family. I have experienced this first hand with an adoption (not my own) that failed when the parents came to get the child. And I really hope that perspective adoptive parents search their hearts and their motives. It can be such a good thing, but it can also be horribly painful when things go wrong.

Kristen, I have a question. How can we get in touch with the people at Betty Crocker if we think our organization, working in a developing country, could qualify to receive the GIVE ONE computers??
Thanks,
Hope

I give back with my whole life and my whole heart. I raise my family (3 boys) and 2 other missionary kids (because they wanted to stay in THIS country:Niger and stay at their school and not be transferred far away with their parents) and 1 sweet local boy who is becoming an American. If you are reading this- pray for him now- his tribunal is on Wednesday- it will decide his fate. On Mondays and Fridays I volunteer teaching elementary music to MKs. On Tuesday I volunteer teaching art to local kids. On Wednesday I volunteer teaching music to preschool kids.
We are in the process of starting a childrens village in Niger.

Don't give up on your Fanta in a bottle. You could go once a year with the littles and once a year without. We travel internationally with toddlers. It's possible. It's more of an adventure that way too. Although, I did read about your christmas trip. hmmm. BUT IT CAN BE DONE. We did France with a 3 year old, a one year old, and me 8 months pregnant. And we're actually doing it again this summer with a 1 year old, a 3 year old, and a 5 year old. BUT WE SMOKE CRACK. :) good times.