Today our church had the privilege of hosting an adoption awareness day to promote the documentary : STUCK.
This important film is about the incredible difficulties that often arise in international adoptions...specifically in getting chosen children out of certain countries which in some cases becomes near impossible.
We hosted a luncheon with members of the film crew including the producer and director. Partners with area adoption agencies and members from the ABBA fund also attended, along with families touched by adoption.
A panel of families told their testimonies of trying, for in some cases going on six years, to get their adopted children released from their countries of origin. These stories were heartwrenching as parent after parent cried describing how their children are stuck...with no release date in sight.
Critics might say, "then don't go with international adoption if it is so difficult when there are plenty of children here." Well...the truth is that our U.S. government has in place many, many resources for impoverished and abandoned children. We have WIC, food stamps, the welfare system, the foster care system, adoption agencies, homeless shelters, school food programs, subsidies, grants, scholarship funds, and the list goes on and on. In many, many countries none of these resources exist for children who find themselves without a family. And we believe it is every child's human right to grow up in a family...not an institution.
The purpose of the movie and this national tour is to raise awareness of this process and for the film makers to bring a petition to our president on May 17th of this year to begin to move the legislation that keeps these precious kids stuck in orphanages and in effect denying them forever families. You can check out the documentary showings and event tour itinerary HERE to find a city near you hosting one of these events.
I cannot imagine any of my children being stuck for years without their Mommy and Daddy. I thought our foster care journey was rough with the wait and lack of any sense of urgency for permanency...but these families stories are living nightmares.
All of us who are touched by adoption should get involved in this movement for social and political change on behalf of the world's children.
You can purchase the documentary here and
PLEASE, please go sign the petition, here.
Here I am with Terrance's Mama and our dear friend Heather (in the middle) who currently is waiting with her husband and son for their baby boy in Korea to be released by the government to come home to them.
I pray often that baby Jude will be home by Christmas.
Here is Jasmine's preschool teacher signing the petition.
My kiddos getting a cool bite from the Kona Ice van.
Even the Chick Fil A cow came out in support of the documentary!
Jasmine is having none of that as she tells that cow off.
Please go see the movie which also includes an after show Q & A with the film makers... (or purchase it online for the same ticket price) and SIGN the petition right now before you forget, as it will be taken to President Obama on May 17th in a plea to:
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