Yes - we've moved! We have been blessed with a new website! Please update your bookmark and check it out!
CCTC Orphan Ministry Website
And be sure to check out information about our upcoming Conference!
1 week ago
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
2009 National Foster Care Prayer Vigil - May 17-24, 2009
Many kids in foster care feel like they don't have a prayer...let's change that.
11,000 children are in the foster system in Washington State.
250-300 children are in Region 2, the Ellensburg to Walla Walla area that includes our community.
Would you join Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan Ministry in praying each day this week for these children, their families, their foster families, and the state workers who are trying to meet their needs?
Each of these children have a face & a heart
… that needs to know the love of Jesus.
“Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20
James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans & widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
Psalm 68:5,6a “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; …”
11,000 children are in the foster system in Washington State.
250-300 children are in Region 2, the Ellensburg to Walla Walla area that includes our community.
Would you join Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan Ministry in praying each day this week for these children, their families, their foster families, and the state workers who are trying to meet their needs?
Each of these children have a face & a heart
… that needs to know the love of Jesus.
“Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20
James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans & widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
Psalm 68:5,6a “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; …”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 2009 Newsletter
This is HOT of the press! Check out the most recent newsletter here: March 2009 Newsletter
Some Exciting Stuff...
We just wanted to share about a few exciting things going on with the ministry!
First of all, God has blessed the ministry with funds so that we can begin giving grants to qualified adoptive parents. And, we were able to bless a family with a grant this week!!! They were so grateful - God is so good!:) By the way, if you'd like to donate to our orphan ministry fund - you can, just indicate it on your check at church:)
We are also really excited to be hosting and planning our first Orphan conference at CCTC on Nov. 21st, 2009! We are in the begining planning stages -so please pray that God will reveal His plan for the Key note speaker, break out session speakers etc...
AND! A few of us will be having the opportunity to possibly travel to Texas for a HUGE Ophan Summit Conference! We are really excited to learn more about how we can better our ministry here and get some ideas for our conference:) Please pray for our trip on April 30th!
Last but not least!! We are now on Facebook -
First of all, God has blessed the ministry with funds so that we can begin giving grants to qualified adoptive parents. And, we were able to bless a family with a grant this week!!! They were so grateful - God is so good!:) By the way, if you'd like to donate to our orphan ministry fund - you can, just indicate it on your check at church:)
We are also really excited to be hosting and planning our first Orphan conference at CCTC on Nov. 21st, 2009! We are in the begining planning stages -so please pray that God will reveal His plan for the Key note speaker, break out session speakers etc...
AND! A few of us will be having the opportunity to possibly travel to Texas for a HUGE Ophan Summit Conference! We are really excited to learn more about how we can better our ministry here and get some ideas for our conference:) Please pray for our trip on April 30th!
Last but not least!! We are now on Facebook -
Saturday, January 31, 2009
CCTC Adoption Grant -NOW AVAILABLE!!!!
The CCTC Orphan/Adoption Ministry Leadership/Board are so excited to finally be able to offer a grant for families in the process of adopting!!
Please check out the following link for the application: CCTC Adoption Grant
If you have any questions or are having a hard time viewing/printing off the application, please email Kirsten
God Bless!
Please check out the following link for the application: CCTC Adoption Grant
If you have any questions or are having a hard time viewing/printing off the application, please email Kirsten
God Bless!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
January Newsletter
This is a periodic newsletter of the Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan Ministry. It contains information related to adoption. If you have any suggestions for articles, etc., please send them on to: lance.vickerman@verizon.net or lance.vickerman@pnso.science.doe.gov.
Here are the articles in this newsletter:
1) Scripture
2) Adoption News
3) Practical Tips
4) Financial Assistance Resources
5) Praise Reports/Encouraging Stories
6) Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting
1 - Scripture
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Proverbs 37:3-5
2 - Adoption News
from Adoptive Families.com
January/February 2009
A Drop in International Adoptions
The number of intercountry adoptions to the U.S. fell 12 percent in the past year—from 19,613 to 17,438—to reach the lowest level since 1999, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. The largest drop was from China, due to tighter restrictions on foreign adoptions. Ethiopia adoptions, however, are on the rise, and experts expect increases in other African and Latin American countries in the next year.
Top 10 countries 2007: 2008:
China 5,453 Guatemala 4,123
Guatemala 4,728 China 3,909
Russia 2,310 Russia 1,861
Ethiopia 1,255 Ethiopia 1,725
Korea 939 Korea 1,065
Vietnam 828 Vietnam 751
Ukraine 606 Ukraine 457
Kazakhstan 540 Kazakhstan 380
India 416 India 307
Liberia 314 Colombia 306
International Update
Check out the U.S. Department of State’s new website for intercountry adoption information: adoption.state.gov.
CHINA The orphanage donation, which is a mandatory expense when adopting from China, increased from $3,000 to approximately $5,100 as of January 1. Adoption experts worry about the added financial burden to families during these tough economic times.
ETHIOPIA The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) now requires additional documentation, in the form of an authenticated letter, for adoption cases in which a living birthparent has placed a child in an orphanage. MOWA believes the new requirement will result in fewer fraudulent cases. Unfortunately, it is also likely to lead to delays in the processing of cases that involve living birthparents.
KYRGYZSTAN The U.S. Department of State recommends caution in pursuing adoption from Kyrgyzstan. A number of prospective adoptive parents have reported that their cases are not being processed. The government of Kyrgyzstan appears to be considering new legislation on adoptions, but as of press time, no new regulations have been released.
NEPAL The Nepalese government has released a list of 58 approved adoption agencies (32 of them in the U.S.). New intercountry adoptions have been closed since May 2007. In May 2008, the Nepalese government approved new regulations for intercountry adoptions, but it is still not known when it will begin processing new adoptions.
GUATEMALA The National Council on Adoption (CNA) has stopped accepting new cases. The halt was put in place to enable CNA to complete current cases and to establish Hague guidelines. The halt is expected to end by January 2009.
VIETNAM On September 1, the Memorandum of Agreement regarding international adoption between the U.S. and Vietnam expired. Although the country is currently closed to new applicants, the government of Vietnam has issued a formal diplomatic note to the U.S. requesting to begin negotiations toward a new agreement.
COLOMBIA In light of a judicial strike that began in September 2008, as of press time, many families are reporting extended in-country stays—eight to 10 weeks rather than the typical four weeks.
UKRAINE New legislation introduces the following changes to adoption law:
· Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old.
· The maximum age difference between parents and children is 45 years.
· Unmarried foreign couples are not permitted to adopt Ukrainian children.
Around the Country
ARKANSAS The state has voted to ban unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents. While the ruling applies to all unmarried cohabitating couples, it was intended to prevent gay couples from fostering and adopting children. Arkansas joins Utah as the second state to ban unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents.
FLORIDA A Miami-Dade circuit court judge ruled that the state law blocking gay people from adopting is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason why sexual orientation alone should prohibit anyone from adopting. At press time, the state was planning to file an appeal on the decision.
MAINE Adoptees over 18 can obtain their original sealed birth certificates, thanks to a new law. Current birth certificates list only the adoptive parents, but the original certificates include the biological parents’ names.
NEBRASKA The state’s Safe Haven law, which had permitted parents to hand children up to age 18 over to state custody, was revised in November and limited to infants up to 30 days old. Since the law was enacted, in September, 35 older children were dropped off at hospitals by parents who said the children were uncontrollable, highlighting the fact that resources are too limited for parents with troubled teens.
3 -Practical Tips
· Saving receipts – When adopting, be sure to save all of your receipts for tax purposes. Don’t forget that meals and mileage driven to various appointments are deductible. For mileage, you will need to maintain a written log. If you don’t have original receipts, debit/credit card statements are suitable substitutes.
· Donated airline miles – Many airlines allow “frequent flyers” to transfer donate their miles to other individuals. If you need to travel to adopt your child, this is a very worthwhile area to explore as a way to reduce your expenses. There is one very good program that helps individuals with unique needs find the opportunity to solicit miles from generous benefactors. It is called MileDonor.com. They are a non-profit group facilitating the donation of miles, points, and awards for personal and charitable use worldwide. MileDonor.com provides an opportunity for donors, charities, frequent traveler programs, and individuals seeking donations to exchange information. This is a free service offered by Randy Petersen’s Colorado Springs-based Frequent Flyer Services.
· More on airline miles – You might pray about using a credit card to pay for your adoption expenses in order to accumulate airline miles. Many credit card companies are now giving 20,000-30,000 miles just for signing up for their credit card. However, this is only effective if you can immediately turn around and pay off your balance when you receive your statement. As with any other credit card purchase, it is not a good idea to make purchases that you cannot immediately pay-off.
· Consider ways to lower monthly bills – In many households, there are ways to cut the monthly budget just by rolling up your sleeves and taking a good hard look at your finances. There are many good websites that provide budget-cutting ideas/examples. If you don’t have a written household budget, you should consider starting one. Dave Ramsey is a Christian and is one of the best at providing practical advice on personal finances (www.daveramsey.com). Here is a quick list of budget-cutting ideas to get you started:
o Telephone/cell phone bill – Many households now have both a home telephone as well as one (or more cell phones). We recently cut our home telephone bill by $25/month ($300/year) by going to a basic service package ($14/month + taxes).
o electricity bill – You can cut your electricity costs by simply unplugging items when not in use (blenders, can openers, coffee makers, lamps, etc. etc.)
o refinancing home/cars – This is a big step that you should consider carefully. However, rates are low right and refinancing could save you money.
o TV – If you have a satellite/cable TV bill, consider switching to a basic package. Several years ago, we saved $40/month ($500/year) by just getting the bare minimum satellite package. We now pay about $14/month for a decent package with Dish Network. Call your provider and tell them you are switching unless they give you the best deal possible.
o Car, Life, Home Insurance – Although it’s not fun, shopping around can save you a lot of money. Sometimes you can even get better coverage for less money. Just do it and you’ll be glad you did. I would be glad to give a personal recommendation for our insurance agent (just contact me).
· Fundraisers – Fundraisers are a fun and effective way to raise money. Although the standard car wash is an easy way to raise money, it is not the only way. Consider asking family and friends if they would like to donate any unused items for a yard sale. Also, you might pray about asking for direct donations. One effective way to do this is using PayPal. PayPal is useful because it allows contributors to use their debit/credit card to make a direct financial donation. Sometimes Christians are understandably hesitant to ask for direct donations in this manner. You should definitely pray about this. However, you should also consider the fact that many fellow Christians are more than willing (and gifted) to provide financial donations of this manner. If they are not asked to serve in this way, they are essentially being denied an opportunity to serve the Lord in an area in which they’ve been gifted. Just a thought:)
4 -Financial Assistance Resources
A list of resources that provide financial assistance to adoptive families. A complete, continuously-updated list is available on the Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry website (http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/).
· Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry – Provides grants to Christian families wishing to adopt. A downloadable grant application will soon be available. – http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/
· Ibsen Adoption Network – for Washington state families only – www.angelfire.com/home/ibsen/
· Shaohannah’s Hope – Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s ministry – www.shaohannahshope.org
· Granting Relief -- The expenses of adoption can be a burden to prospective parents—sometimes even prohibitive. That's where HelpUsAdopt.org comes in. This financial grant assistance program awards $500 to $15,000 in aid to couples and individuals wanting to adopt. Founders Becky and Kipp Fawcett are adoptive parents themselves, and they know firsthand the high costs of adoption—which are even more burdensome after expensive infertility treatments. Go to helpusadopt.org to apply for a grant or make a donation.
· Google – Google on “adoption grants” and add search terms based on your specific situation (e.g., “special needs”, “China”, etc.).
· Keep watching this newsletter for more suggested resources…
5 - Praise Reports/Encouraging stories
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=376536
Fergus Falls couple adopts nine children
By Mila Koumpilova
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. -- After adopting a baby girl from South Korea two decades ago, Roger and Amy Twedt agreed they now had the ideal-size family.
The Fergus Falls couple, who had two biological children, looks back on that adoption as a self-centered act that made them feel good about themselves and rounded out their household.
But they didn't stop. Their family grew rapidly, a bustling haven for youngsters from four continents. In January, the Twedts adopted for the ninth time.
The family might remind some of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but the Twedts readily point out theirs is not an unfailingly uplifting story that fits on a single glossy page. Over the years, it's involved the thrashing of the parents' bedroom, battles with flashbacks to physical and sexual abuse and stints in juvenile detention.
Amy, who founded a nonprofit adoption agency several years ago, doesn't sugarcoat the story for prospective parents. Still, she has a way of making them want to adopt even more. And she no longer tries to argue what she and her husband are doing is self-centered.
"Most of us at some point quit adopting just because we have this hole in our hearts that needs to be filled by a child," Amy said. "We start adopting because it's the right thing to do."
The first time
The Twedts' first adoption made them acutely aware of a global crisis that Amy captures in haunting numbers: more than 143 million orphans worldwide, and some 500,000 children in foster care in this country. Devout Christians, they took the scriptural mandate to care for orphans to heart.
The Twedts' biological daughter, Lindsey, 24, recalls spotting a "For Sale" sign on, say, the family's pop-up camper -- a signal her parents were contemplating a new addition to the family and planning for the hefty adoption fees. Soon after, there'd be a family meeting.
The Twedts have daughters from South Korea, the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and Haiti. They've also adopted an infant son from Houston, a young boy from Florida and three brothers from the foster care system. Today, they raise eight children ages 5 to 18; Lindsey and her two oldest siblings have moved on.
"You won't see an 'S' on our shirts," said Roger, a loan officer. "We're not super parents. We're just tools and instruments God is using to help."
The Twedts learned to deal with the unique challenges of adoptive parenting as they went along. They saw one of their daughters struggle to make sense of the scarce details of her back story.
So with their younger daughters, they made life books, picture journals piecing together glimpses of where they came from. Eight-year-old Emilee's tells of her mom, who worked in a South Korean department store, excelled at cross-stitch and was too poor to marry the girl's dad. It features photos of Emilee's casts after she had surgeries for clefts in her hands, a congenital deformity.
The Twedts also saw their children wrestle with fear, anger and mistrust. Shortly after he and his two brothers arrived in Fergus Falls, Wil, then 7, rushed into his new parents' bedroom. He grabbed pictures from the walls and clothes from the closet and threw them to the floor. He even yanked their mattress off the box spring. Roger picked up the objects and set them outside the bedroom until Wil paused, looked around the bare room and said, "I think you do love me."
Tough times
Two years ago, the family faced its greatest crisis when police officers showed up at their home and arrested two of the Twedt teenage sons, both star athletes and good students. Amy, who stops short of sharing how the boys got in trouble, says the incident brought the family closer.
"Sometimes I get in bed at night, and I think, 'I can't believe we're doing this. How are we going to do this another day?"' said Amy, who quit her job as a financial planner after the second adoption. "But our children need someone who's strong and won't crumble."
But the pitfalls of adoptive parenting, the Twedts say, pale compared to the rewards. There's the pride they feel daily at seeing their children, despite the obstacles they faced, do well in school, in sports and at music recitals. And there's the pride in that visitors to their home are hard pressed to spot some of the scars the Twedts have worked to heal.
Lindsey, the Twedts' biological daughter, says she started acting out as a teenager to get her endlessly busy parents' attention. She craved one-on-one time, yet knew her parents did their best. For instance, once they drove to Florida to pick up the three boys and then still made her basketball game: "I looked up at the stands and here were my three new brothers cheering for me."
Her adopted siblings taught her great lessons in grit and resilience. Her parents taught her about unconditional love. Last year, Lindsey and her husband, Kyle Ness, adopted a baby girl in the U.S.
Five years ago, Amy tagged along on a high school mission trip to an orphanage in Chihuahua, Mexico. She resolved to come back and help some of the children find a home. Back in Fergus Falls, she started God's Children Adoption Agency, which has placed close to 20 children from that orphanage and 70 in all. More recently, she started In His Arms Adoption Ministry to spread the word about the needs of orphans and foster children.
Amy and Roger don't have immediate plans to expand their family. But Amy's new job exposes her to stories of children in need daily, Lindsey says, and she knows her mom doesn't take those in stride: "I personally don't think they're done."
Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting/Fostering
If you (or someone you know) is in the process of adopting/fostering and are in need of prayer, financial support, conducting a fundraiser, etc. please let me know.
Here are the articles in this newsletter:
1) Scripture
2) Adoption News
3) Practical Tips
4) Financial Assistance Resources
5) Praise Reports/Encouraging Stories
6) Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting
1 - Scripture
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Proverbs 37:3-5
2 - Adoption News
from Adoptive Families.com
January/February 2009
A Drop in International Adoptions
The number of intercountry adoptions to the U.S. fell 12 percent in the past year—from 19,613 to 17,438—to reach the lowest level since 1999, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. The largest drop was from China, due to tighter restrictions on foreign adoptions. Ethiopia adoptions, however, are on the rise, and experts expect increases in other African and Latin American countries in the next year.
Top 10 countries 2007: 2008:
China 5,453 Guatemala 4,123
Guatemala 4,728 China 3,909
Russia 2,310 Russia 1,861
Ethiopia 1,255 Ethiopia 1,725
Korea 939 Korea 1,065
Vietnam 828 Vietnam 751
Ukraine 606 Ukraine 457
Kazakhstan 540 Kazakhstan 380
India 416 India 307
Liberia 314 Colombia 306
International Update
Check out the U.S. Department of State’s new website for intercountry adoption information: adoption.state.gov.
CHINA The orphanage donation, which is a mandatory expense when adopting from China, increased from $3,000 to approximately $5,100 as of January 1. Adoption experts worry about the added financial burden to families during these tough economic times.
ETHIOPIA The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) now requires additional documentation, in the form of an authenticated letter, for adoption cases in which a living birthparent has placed a child in an orphanage. MOWA believes the new requirement will result in fewer fraudulent cases. Unfortunately, it is also likely to lead to delays in the processing of cases that involve living birthparents.
KYRGYZSTAN The U.S. Department of State recommends caution in pursuing adoption from Kyrgyzstan. A number of prospective adoptive parents have reported that their cases are not being processed. The government of Kyrgyzstan appears to be considering new legislation on adoptions, but as of press time, no new regulations have been released.
NEPAL The Nepalese government has released a list of 58 approved adoption agencies (32 of them in the U.S.). New intercountry adoptions have been closed since May 2007. In May 2008, the Nepalese government approved new regulations for intercountry adoptions, but it is still not known when it will begin processing new adoptions.
GUATEMALA The National Council on Adoption (CNA) has stopped accepting new cases. The halt was put in place to enable CNA to complete current cases and to establish Hague guidelines. The halt is expected to end by January 2009.
VIETNAM On September 1, the Memorandum of Agreement regarding international adoption between the U.S. and Vietnam expired. Although the country is currently closed to new applicants, the government of Vietnam has issued a formal diplomatic note to the U.S. requesting to begin negotiations toward a new agreement.
COLOMBIA In light of a judicial strike that began in September 2008, as of press time, many families are reporting extended in-country stays—eight to 10 weeks rather than the typical four weeks.
UKRAINE New legislation introduces the following changes to adoption law:
· Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old.
· The maximum age difference between parents and children is 45 years.
· Unmarried foreign couples are not permitted to adopt Ukrainian children.
Around the Country
ARKANSAS The state has voted to ban unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents. While the ruling applies to all unmarried cohabitating couples, it was intended to prevent gay couples from fostering and adopting children. Arkansas joins Utah as the second state to ban unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents.
FLORIDA A Miami-Dade circuit court judge ruled that the state law blocking gay people from adopting is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason why sexual orientation alone should prohibit anyone from adopting. At press time, the state was planning to file an appeal on the decision.
MAINE Adoptees over 18 can obtain their original sealed birth certificates, thanks to a new law. Current birth certificates list only the adoptive parents, but the original certificates include the biological parents’ names.
NEBRASKA The state’s Safe Haven law, which had permitted parents to hand children up to age 18 over to state custody, was revised in November and limited to infants up to 30 days old. Since the law was enacted, in September, 35 older children were dropped off at hospitals by parents who said the children were uncontrollable, highlighting the fact that resources are too limited for parents with troubled teens.
3 -Practical Tips
· Saving receipts – When adopting, be sure to save all of your receipts for tax purposes. Don’t forget that meals and mileage driven to various appointments are deductible. For mileage, you will need to maintain a written log. If you don’t have original receipts, debit/credit card statements are suitable substitutes.
· Donated airline miles – Many airlines allow “frequent flyers” to transfer donate their miles to other individuals. If you need to travel to adopt your child, this is a very worthwhile area to explore as a way to reduce your expenses. There is one very good program that helps individuals with unique needs find the opportunity to solicit miles from generous benefactors. It is called MileDonor.com. They are a non-profit group facilitating the donation of miles, points, and awards for personal and charitable use worldwide. MileDonor.com provides an opportunity for donors, charities, frequent traveler programs, and individuals seeking donations to exchange information. This is a free service offered by Randy Petersen’s Colorado Springs-based Frequent Flyer Services.
· More on airline miles – You might pray about using a credit card to pay for your adoption expenses in order to accumulate airline miles. Many credit card companies are now giving 20,000-30,000 miles just for signing up for their credit card. However, this is only effective if you can immediately turn around and pay off your balance when you receive your statement. As with any other credit card purchase, it is not a good idea to make purchases that you cannot immediately pay-off.
· Consider ways to lower monthly bills – In many households, there are ways to cut the monthly budget just by rolling up your sleeves and taking a good hard look at your finances. There are many good websites that provide budget-cutting ideas/examples. If you don’t have a written household budget, you should consider starting one. Dave Ramsey is a Christian and is one of the best at providing practical advice on personal finances (www.daveramsey.com). Here is a quick list of budget-cutting ideas to get you started:
o Telephone/cell phone bill – Many households now have both a home telephone as well as one (or more cell phones). We recently cut our home telephone bill by $25/month ($300/year) by going to a basic service package ($14/month + taxes).
o electricity bill – You can cut your electricity costs by simply unplugging items when not in use (blenders, can openers, coffee makers, lamps, etc. etc.)
o refinancing home/cars – This is a big step that you should consider carefully. However, rates are low right and refinancing could save you money.
o TV – If you have a satellite/cable TV bill, consider switching to a basic package. Several years ago, we saved $40/month ($500/year) by just getting the bare minimum satellite package. We now pay about $14/month for a decent package with Dish Network. Call your provider and tell them you are switching unless they give you the best deal possible.
o Car, Life, Home Insurance – Although it’s not fun, shopping around can save you a lot of money. Sometimes you can even get better coverage for less money. Just do it and you’ll be glad you did. I would be glad to give a personal recommendation for our insurance agent (just contact me).
· Fundraisers – Fundraisers are a fun and effective way to raise money. Although the standard car wash is an easy way to raise money, it is not the only way. Consider asking family and friends if they would like to donate any unused items for a yard sale. Also, you might pray about asking for direct donations. One effective way to do this is using PayPal. PayPal is useful because it allows contributors to use their debit/credit card to make a direct financial donation. Sometimes Christians are understandably hesitant to ask for direct donations in this manner. You should definitely pray about this. However, you should also consider the fact that many fellow Christians are more than willing (and gifted) to provide financial donations of this manner. If they are not asked to serve in this way, they are essentially being denied an opportunity to serve the Lord in an area in which they’ve been gifted. Just a thought:)
4 -Financial Assistance Resources
A list of resources that provide financial assistance to adoptive families. A complete, continuously-updated list is available on the Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry website (http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/).
· Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry – Provides grants to Christian families wishing to adopt. A downloadable grant application will soon be available. – http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/
· Ibsen Adoption Network – for Washington state families only – www.angelfire.com/home/ibsen/
· Shaohannah’s Hope – Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s ministry – www.shaohannahshope.org
· Granting Relief -- The expenses of adoption can be a burden to prospective parents—sometimes even prohibitive. That's where HelpUsAdopt.org comes in. This financial grant assistance program awards $500 to $15,000 in aid to couples and individuals wanting to adopt. Founders Becky and Kipp Fawcett are adoptive parents themselves, and they know firsthand the high costs of adoption—which are even more burdensome after expensive infertility treatments. Go to helpusadopt.org to apply for a grant or make a donation.
· Google – Google on “adoption grants” and add search terms based on your specific situation (e.g., “special needs”, “China”, etc.).
· Keep watching this newsletter for more suggested resources…
5 - Praise Reports/Encouraging stories
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=376536
Fergus Falls couple adopts nine children
By Mila Koumpilova
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. -- After adopting a baby girl from South Korea two decades ago, Roger and Amy Twedt agreed they now had the ideal-size family.
The Fergus Falls couple, who had two biological children, looks back on that adoption as a self-centered act that made them feel good about themselves and rounded out their household.
But they didn't stop. Their family grew rapidly, a bustling haven for youngsters from four continents. In January, the Twedts adopted for the ninth time.
The family might remind some of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but the Twedts readily point out theirs is not an unfailingly uplifting story that fits on a single glossy page. Over the years, it's involved the thrashing of the parents' bedroom, battles with flashbacks to physical and sexual abuse and stints in juvenile detention.
Amy, who founded a nonprofit adoption agency several years ago, doesn't sugarcoat the story for prospective parents. Still, she has a way of making them want to adopt even more. And she no longer tries to argue what she and her husband are doing is self-centered.
"Most of us at some point quit adopting just because we have this hole in our hearts that needs to be filled by a child," Amy said. "We start adopting because it's the right thing to do."
The first time
The Twedts' first adoption made them acutely aware of a global crisis that Amy captures in haunting numbers: more than 143 million orphans worldwide, and some 500,000 children in foster care in this country. Devout Christians, they took the scriptural mandate to care for orphans to heart.
The Twedts' biological daughter, Lindsey, 24, recalls spotting a "For Sale" sign on, say, the family's pop-up camper -- a signal her parents were contemplating a new addition to the family and planning for the hefty adoption fees. Soon after, there'd be a family meeting.
The Twedts have daughters from South Korea, the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and Haiti. They've also adopted an infant son from Houston, a young boy from Florida and three brothers from the foster care system. Today, they raise eight children ages 5 to 18; Lindsey and her two oldest siblings have moved on.
"You won't see an 'S' on our shirts," said Roger, a loan officer. "We're not super parents. We're just tools and instruments God is using to help."
The Twedts learned to deal with the unique challenges of adoptive parenting as they went along. They saw one of their daughters struggle to make sense of the scarce details of her back story.
So with their younger daughters, they made life books, picture journals piecing together glimpses of where they came from. Eight-year-old Emilee's tells of her mom, who worked in a South Korean department store, excelled at cross-stitch and was too poor to marry the girl's dad. It features photos of Emilee's casts after she had surgeries for clefts in her hands, a congenital deformity.
The Twedts also saw their children wrestle with fear, anger and mistrust. Shortly after he and his two brothers arrived in Fergus Falls, Wil, then 7, rushed into his new parents' bedroom. He grabbed pictures from the walls and clothes from the closet and threw them to the floor. He even yanked their mattress off the box spring. Roger picked up the objects and set them outside the bedroom until Wil paused, looked around the bare room and said, "I think you do love me."
Tough times
Two years ago, the family faced its greatest crisis when police officers showed up at their home and arrested two of the Twedt teenage sons, both star athletes and good students. Amy, who stops short of sharing how the boys got in trouble, says the incident brought the family closer.
"Sometimes I get in bed at night, and I think, 'I can't believe we're doing this. How are we going to do this another day?"' said Amy, who quit her job as a financial planner after the second adoption. "But our children need someone who's strong and won't crumble."
But the pitfalls of adoptive parenting, the Twedts say, pale compared to the rewards. There's the pride they feel daily at seeing their children, despite the obstacles they faced, do well in school, in sports and at music recitals. And there's the pride in that visitors to their home are hard pressed to spot some of the scars the Twedts have worked to heal.
Lindsey, the Twedts' biological daughter, says she started acting out as a teenager to get her endlessly busy parents' attention. She craved one-on-one time, yet knew her parents did their best. For instance, once they drove to Florida to pick up the three boys and then still made her basketball game: "I looked up at the stands and here were my three new brothers cheering for me."
Her adopted siblings taught her great lessons in grit and resilience. Her parents taught her about unconditional love. Last year, Lindsey and her husband, Kyle Ness, adopted a baby girl in the U.S.
Five years ago, Amy tagged along on a high school mission trip to an orphanage in Chihuahua, Mexico. She resolved to come back and help some of the children find a home. Back in Fergus Falls, she started God's Children Adoption Agency, which has placed close to 20 children from that orphanage and 70 in all. More recently, she started In His Arms Adoption Ministry to spread the word about the needs of orphans and foster children.
Amy and Roger don't have immediate plans to expand their family. But Amy's new job exposes her to stories of children in need daily, Lindsey says, and she knows her mom doesn't take those in stride: "I personally don't think they're done."
Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting/Fostering
If you (or someone you know) is in the process of adopting/fostering and are in need of prayer, financial support, conducting a fundraiser, etc. please let me know.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry - Financial Matters Newsletter
The following is the first edition of a newsletter that I will send out periodically that contains information related to the financial aspects of adoption (grants, tax implications, resources, etc.). If you have any suggestions for articles, etc., please pass them on to me (or just send them out to the distribution:). My emails are lance.vickerman@verizon.net or lance.vickerman@pnso.science.doe.gov.
With that, here are the articles in this newsletter:
1)Scripture – Malachi 3:10
2)Adoption in the News - Adoption tax credit to expire, put foreign kids out of reach
3)Practical Tips - Tracking and claiming your adoption expenses on your Income Taxes
4)Financial Assistance Resources
5) Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting
6) Praise reports
Scripture
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
-- Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Adoption in the News
August 31, 2008
Adoption tax credit to expire, put foreign kids out of reach Sandra Block
Imagine spending the equivalent of a year's tuition at a private college before your child is a year old. That's the prospect facing many parents who apply to adopt a child from overseas. The cost of an international adoption can range from $15,000 to more than $30,000 - just for one child. Years ago, Congress sought to ease this financial burden by enacting a generous tax credit for parents who adopt. This year, eligible parents can claim a tax credit of up to $11,650, per child, to cover adoption expenses. A credit is more valuable than a deduction because it comes off the top of your tax bill. But tougher restrictions on international adoptions could force prospective parents to wait longer to claim the adoption tax credit - and some might not be able to claim it at all.
Foreign vs. U.S. childPeople who adopt in the United States can claim a credit for adoption-related expenses in the year the adoption is completed or the year after they apply, even if it is still pending. But parents who adopt a non-U.S. child can claim the credit only in the year the adoption is completed, says John Warner, a tax lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in Washington. If the adoption is unsuccessful, he adds, "You're out of luck in terms of the credit." Several recent developments create new hurdles for parents who apply to adopt a child from overseas. Nations that once accounted for a large percentage of U.S. adoptions, such as South Korea and Russia, now limit foreign adoptions to encourage more domestic adoptions. Last year, China started barring adoption applicants who were obese, unmarried or over 50. "Some adopting parents have been so discouraged by the length of time it takes, they've dropped out," says Keith Wallace, chief executive of Families Thru International Adoption, a nonprofit adoption agency. "Those families aren't going to be able to claim the credit, and they're going to be out of pocket for the money" they've spent on the adoption. Even those who persevere could lose the full credit. The existing credit is scheduled to expire in 2010. If not reauthorized by Congress, it will drop to $5,000, the amount of the credit before the current law was enacted, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It now takes more than three years to complete the adoption of a child from China, Wallace says. Unless Congress reauthorizes the credit, families who apply to adopt a Chinese child this year may not complete the process in time to claim the full amount.Special-needs creditTighter restrictions on foreign adoptions are leading more prospective parents to consider adopting in the U.S., but the number of domestic infants available for adoption is limited. Consequently, more parents are considering adoption of a foster child. Those parents are also eligible for the tax credit - and don't have to jump through as many hoops to claim it. If the child is a special-needs child - a group that can include older children, siblings or children with disabilities - the parents can claim the full $11,650 credit, even if their out-of-pocket expenses are less than that amount, says Lillian Thogersen, chief executive officer of the World Association for Children and Parents, an adoption agency based in Renton, Wash. "The credit was designed to encourage people to do those kinds of adoptions," says Emily Doskow, a lawyer and co-author of Do Your Own California Adoption.
Other provisionsBecause the adoption is domestic, parents aren't required to wait until the adoption is completed to claim the credit. For example, Warner says, suppose you apply to adopt a special-needs child this year and the adoption isn't final by Dec. 31. You could claim the credit on your 2009 tax returns, even if the adoption isn't completed until 2010.
Other adoption tax credit provisions:· High-income parents might not be eligible for the credit. In 2008, parents with adjusted gross income of between $174,730 and $214,730 can claim a reduced credit, says Miguel Farra, partner at the accounting firm Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra in Miami. Parents with AGI of $214,730 or more can't claim the credit, he says.· If your employer offers an adoption assistance program, the benefits aren't taxable. However, you can't claim the tax credit for adoption expenses reimbursed by your employer.
Practical Tips
Tracking and Claiming Adoption Expenses on your Income Taxes
(Disclaimer: I am not a tax attorney nor do I play one on TV, so don’t sue me if this is not 100% accurate:)
When we adopted our first child, the joy and excitement of getting her home was obviously awesome. However, there is also a practical side to adoption -- which includes paying for it all. Thankfully, the US Tax Code currently provides a very generous tax credit of $11,650 for tax year 2008 (but perhaps not for long – see the news article above). In order to take advantage of and maximize these benefits, you need be disciplined up front so you’re not making a mad scramble at the end. Here are some practical suggestions:
· Familiarize yourself with the IRS tax code – Doesn’t this sound like fun? As painful as it might be, do yourself a favor and read over the IRS Form (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8839.pdf) and Instructions (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8839.pdf) now. Play with the form by plugging in estimated numbers. This will make you comfortable with the form, give you estimated figures, and encourage you that some of that money you are paying out will be coming back to you soon!
· Save your receipts and records from any adoption related expenses – This is very important. You want to keep track of every penny you spend so can maximize your tax credit. The Instructions for Form 8839 list some “Qualified Adoption Expenses” which include: Adoption Fees, Attorney Fees, Court Costs, and Travel Expenses (including meals and lodging) while away from home. For those that use financial software such as Microsoft Money or Quicken, you can setup special expense categories and then run a report at the end of the year. If using a credit card, save those credit card statements.
· Special needs children and foreign adoptions – Special rules apply to these cases.
· Employer provided benefits – Check with your employer to see if they provide (or would be willing to provide) adoption benefits. Employer provided benefits aren’t taxable.
· Carryforward credit – If you “max out” the credit (i.e., your tax paid on 1040 is smaller than your adoption credit), then you will likely have a “carryforward credit” into the next tax year.
· Tax software can help – If you haven’t used income tax software before, you might want to consider it at least for the years for which you are reporting adoption expenses. Doing your taxes on the computer can save you time and frustration. Additionally, if you have a “carryforward credit”, the software saves all of that info and data for the following year – much more convenient than sifting through your prior return looking for specific numbers. We used TaxAct.com (www.taxact.com) which was free and worked fantastically.
Financial Assistance Resources
A list of resources that provide financial assistance to adoptive families. A complete, continuously-updated list is available on the Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry website (http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/).
· Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry – Provides grants to Christian families wishing to adopt. A downloadable grant application will soon be available. – http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/
· Ibsen Adoption Network – for Washington state families only – www.angelfire.com/home/ibsen/
· Shaohannah’s Hope – Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s ministry – www.shaohannahshope.org
· Google – Google on “adoption grants” and add search terms based on your specific situation (e.g., “special needs”, “China”, etc.).
· Keep watching this newsletter for more suggested resources…
Praise Reports
This section will share stories of how God has provided for His people following His call in James 1:27 to care for orphans. If you have a story that you would like to share, please email me at lance.vickerman@verizon.net or lance.vickerman@pnso.science.doe.gov.
Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting/Fostering
If you (or someone you know) is in the process of adopting/fostering and are in need of prayer, financial support, conducting a fundraiser, etc. please let me know.
With that, here are the articles in this newsletter:
1)Scripture – Malachi 3:10
2)Adoption in the News - Adoption tax credit to expire, put foreign kids out of reach
3)Practical Tips - Tracking and claiming your adoption expenses on your Income Taxes
4)Financial Assistance Resources
5) Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting
6) Praise reports
Scripture
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
-- Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Adoption in the News
August 31, 2008
Adoption tax credit to expire, put foreign kids out of reach Sandra Block
Imagine spending the equivalent of a year's tuition at a private college before your child is a year old. That's the prospect facing many parents who apply to adopt a child from overseas. The cost of an international adoption can range from $15,000 to more than $30,000 - just for one child. Years ago, Congress sought to ease this financial burden by enacting a generous tax credit for parents who adopt. This year, eligible parents can claim a tax credit of up to $11,650, per child, to cover adoption expenses. A credit is more valuable than a deduction because it comes off the top of your tax bill. But tougher restrictions on international adoptions could force prospective parents to wait longer to claim the adoption tax credit - and some might not be able to claim it at all.
Foreign vs. U.S. childPeople who adopt in the United States can claim a credit for adoption-related expenses in the year the adoption is completed or the year after they apply, even if it is still pending. But parents who adopt a non-U.S. child can claim the credit only in the year the adoption is completed, says John Warner, a tax lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in Washington. If the adoption is unsuccessful, he adds, "You're out of luck in terms of the credit." Several recent developments create new hurdles for parents who apply to adopt a child from overseas. Nations that once accounted for a large percentage of U.S. adoptions, such as South Korea and Russia, now limit foreign adoptions to encourage more domestic adoptions. Last year, China started barring adoption applicants who were obese, unmarried or over 50. "Some adopting parents have been so discouraged by the length of time it takes, they've dropped out," says Keith Wallace, chief executive of Families Thru International Adoption, a nonprofit adoption agency. "Those families aren't going to be able to claim the credit, and they're going to be out of pocket for the money" they've spent on the adoption. Even those who persevere could lose the full credit. The existing credit is scheduled to expire in 2010. If not reauthorized by Congress, it will drop to $5,000, the amount of the credit before the current law was enacted, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It now takes more than three years to complete the adoption of a child from China, Wallace says. Unless Congress reauthorizes the credit, families who apply to adopt a Chinese child this year may not complete the process in time to claim the full amount.Special-needs creditTighter restrictions on foreign adoptions are leading more prospective parents to consider adopting in the U.S., but the number of domestic infants available for adoption is limited. Consequently, more parents are considering adoption of a foster child. Those parents are also eligible for the tax credit - and don't have to jump through as many hoops to claim it. If the child is a special-needs child - a group that can include older children, siblings or children with disabilities - the parents can claim the full $11,650 credit, even if their out-of-pocket expenses are less than that amount, says Lillian Thogersen, chief executive officer of the World Association for Children and Parents, an adoption agency based in Renton, Wash. "The credit was designed to encourage people to do those kinds of adoptions," says Emily Doskow, a lawyer and co-author of Do Your Own California Adoption.
Other provisionsBecause the adoption is domestic, parents aren't required to wait until the adoption is completed to claim the credit. For example, Warner says, suppose you apply to adopt a special-needs child this year and the adoption isn't final by Dec. 31. You could claim the credit on your 2009 tax returns, even if the adoption isn't completed until 2010.
Other adoption tax credit provisions:· High-income parents might not be eligible for the credit. In 2008, parents with adjusted gross income of between $174,730 and $214,730 can claim a reduced credit, says Miguel Farra, partner at the accounting firm Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra in Miami. Parents with AGI of $214,730 or more can't claim the credit, he says.· If your employer offers an adoption assistance program, the benefits aren't taxable. However, you can't claim the tax credit for adoption expenses reimbursed by your employer.
Practical Tips
Tracking and Claiming Adoption Expenses on your Income Taxes
(Disclaimer: I am not a tax attorney nor do I play one on TV, so don’t sue me if this is not 100% accurate:)
When we adopted our first child, the joy and excitement of getting her home was obviously awesome. However, there is also a practical side to adoption -- which includes paying for it all. Thankfully, the US Tax Code currently provides a very generous tax credit of $11,650 for tax year 2008 (but perhaps not for long – see the news article above). In order to take advantage of and maximize these benefits, you need be disciplined up front so you’re not making a mad scramble at the end. Here are some practical suggestions:
· Familiarize yourself with the IRS tax code – Doesn’t this sound like fun? As painful as it might be, do yourself a favor and read over the IRS Form (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8839.pdf) and Instructions (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8839.pdf) now. Play with the form by plugging in estimated numbers. This will make you comfortable with the form, give you estimated figures, and encourage you that some of that money you are paying out will be coming back to you soon!
· Save your receipts and records from any adoption related expenses – This is very important. You want to keep track of every penny you spend so can maximize your tax credit. The Instructions for Form 8839 list some “Qualified Adoption Expenses” which include: Adoption Fees, Attorney Fees, Court Costs, and Travel Expenses (including meals and lodging) while away from home. For those that use financial software such as Microsoft Money or Quicken, you can setup special expense categories and then run a report at the end of the year. If using a credit card, save those credit card statements.
· Special needs children and foreign adoptions – Special rules apply to these cases.
· Employer provided benefits – Check with your employer to see if they provide (or would be willing to provide) adoption benefits. Employer provided benefits aren’t taxable.
· Carryforward credit – If you “max out” the credit (i.e., your tax paid on 1040 is smaller than your adoption credit), then you will likely have a “carryforward credit” into the next tax year.
· Tax software can help – If you haven’t used income tax software before, you might want to consider it at least for the years for which you are reporting adoption expenses. Doing your taxes on the computer can save you time and frustration. Additionally, if you have a “carryforward credit”, the software saves all of that info and data for the following year – much more convenient than sifting through your prior return looking for specific numbers. We used TaxAct.com (www.taxact.com) which was free and worked fantastically.
Financial Assistance Resources
A list of resources that provide financial assistance to adoptive families. A complete, continuously-updated list is available on the Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry website (http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/).
· Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities Orphan/Adoption Ministry – Provides grants to Christian families wishing to adopt. A downloadable grant application will soon be available. – http://cctcorphanministry.blogspot.com/
· Ibsen Adoption Network – for Washington state families only – www.angelfire.com/home/ibsen/
· Shaohannah’s Hope – Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s ministry – www.shaohannahshope.org
· Google – Google on “adoption grants” and add search terms based on your specific situation (e.g., “special needs”, “China”, etc.).
· Keep watching this newsletter for more suggested resources…
Praise Reports
This section will share stories of how God has provided for His people following His call in James 1:27 to care for orphans. If you have a story that you would like to share, please email me at lance.vickerman@verizon.net or lance.vickerman@pnso.science.doe.gov.
Supporting Those in The Process of Adopting/Fostering
If you (or someone you know) is in the process of adopting/fostering and are in need of prayer, financial support, conducting a fundraiser, etc. please let me know.
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