*Webinar times are subject to change, however participants will always be notified ahead of time. Participants will be notified of topics of webinar discussion approximately 1 week in advance to scheduled webinar. Registration for webinar is not required before topics are given. Please email Alex Thompson for more information.

Friday, February 24th from 3-4pm  (American/Canadian process after immigration approval, Communication with staff in Congo, OWAS orphanage details, Occurrences at time of intake at OWAS orphanage)

Friday, March 9^th from 3-4pm

Friday, March 23^rd from 3-4pm

*Thursday, March 22^nd from 3-4pm (Special webinar for clients preparing to travel imminently)

Friday, April 6^th from 3-4pm

Friday, April 20^th from 3-4pm

Friday, May 4^th from 3-4pm

Friday, May 18^th from 3-4pm

In the same issue of the Adoptive Families Magazine that I have been reading, there are several

other articles that assist with communication at all different ages and stages of growingup adopted.

It is so nice to have an idea of what my son might ask at any given age. I’m sure

its impossible to be ready for every single question, but preparing yourself through reading is a
great start.
The reason I felt that I wanted to write about this situation is because in the beginning, part of
me and my husband thought that we didn’t need to read about “how to” or “ways to”
communicate. We have a great relationship with our son and felt we communicate well with
him. I guess we felt we could just do what comes naturally, but after reading about it more and
more, we realized that we can always use the tips, encouragement and insight into how a child’s
mind perceives the best of our intentions when sharing their stories. We also learned it’s not
just about sharing how you became a family and their history, but also why you will stay a family.
Children need to be assured that adoption is forever, and that they do not have to worry. It was
also encouraging to hear that it’s okay if we do not know all the answers at the time our son
asks. The most important thing we learned is that subjects of which we had worried could drive
a wedge between us and our son, are actually bringing us closer. The more we share about his
birth mother, the more he is learning to trust us, that he can open up to us, and that we won’t
deny him the truth of his history. There was just so much more to it than we thought.
I do want to add before I end, that there should never be pressure to do or say everything you
read. I believe that God will give you an assurance as to what is right for your specific child, or
children. Some advice articles or books are based on child development in general, where
others are based on studies which take average responses. This means that some of our
children will be above or below that study’s average. Also, some of the advice out there is based
on opinion due to experience alone. Again all children are different, so don’t ever feel pressure
to have to do everything listed in every article or book that you read. It’s just not possible. The
important thing is that you feel prepared to talk when the questions come up.
Here are a few of the many links on the subject out there to get you started, if interested...

Talking to Kids About Adoption by Barbara Russell http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=173

Talking Matters by Lois Melina http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1294

Budding Curiousity by Joni S. Mantell, LCSW http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2040

Did I Come From Your Tummy? by JoAnne Solchany, R.N., Ph.D. http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1160

Telling the Tough Stuff by Lee Tobin McClain, Ph.D. http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1215

A Growing Awareness, by Joni S. Mantell, LCSW http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1974

(1) Adoptive Family Magazine Feb 2012 issue

My Christmas present this past year was the finalization of the adoption of my two sons, Seraphin (4) and Emmanuel (3) from the Congo. I received the word to travel right before Chrsitmas and was able to bring my boys home soon after that, coming back to the U.S. at the end of the first week in January, 2012. Each and every day of their new lives here in the U.S. has been filled with the excitement of seeing new things as well as the repeated excitement of seeing new things they found fascinating the first time they saw them. It doesn’t matter if we have seen the same lake, building, truck or car before; each viewing brings continued excitement as it did the first time they saw it. The boys main conversation is still in Lingala, but with daily reading with their Papa, Leap Frog and Baby Einstein, they are beginning to grasp the English language. Not knowing any letters or sounds before, our ABC song has now progressed to “a,b,c,d,e,f,g (straight to) w, x, 9 and 10″ (it’s pretty funny if you sing it to the tune of the ABC song).

To this point, it’s been 3 weeks that the boys have been in the U.S. I have been amazed how each day they are already making measurable progress, knowing that soon they will be fully immersed in their new language and culture, but also hoping that we can maintain their native culture and language.

I feel blessed and very fortunate to have worked with OWAS—Terri, Alex, and Teetee—throughout the Congo adoption process. They became my advocates, comforters, friends, and allies throughout the year and a half that I was in the Congo program (I was with OWAS and Terri for a total of 2 years beginning in the Brazil program and then switched to the Congo program). My compliments also go to OWAS Orphanage in the DRC as they did a wonderful job raising and preparing the boys for their arrival in the United States. Since first meeting the boys, I found them to be very independent for their age, being able to use the bathroom independently, using eating utensils, and having an excited, enduring demeanor as they have had to adjust to many changes coming and living in the U.S.

So, if you were to ask, “What do I think about the adoption process from the DRC as I have had time to reflect on the experience?” To tell you the truth, at times the process can be very challenging and time-consuming as you voluntarily stop your own work day because you can think of nothing else but locating personal documents, filling out paperwork, and Fed-Exing or faxing paperwork to OWAS because you are so excited to get your child. Even stronger emotion embraces you as you wait to get your documents approved or as you wait to move to the next steps of the procss. You can even become depressed as you are continually “waiting” on something to happen in your case, but then disappointment consumes you because some days or weeks nothing happens at all. These thoughts soon pass when you receive that email update with a picture of your child with their smiling face, knowing that soon you will finally be together. You then rust to email your family and friends and show them the new addition to your family and how proud you are to call that child your very own. So yes, even though it is very difficult, it is definitely worth it.

In visiting the DRC and seeing the poverty first-hand, my eyes were open to the high level of poverty found throughout Kinshasa and its outskirts. There are many children in need of a good home where they have a chance to grow, develop, and become successful. Without some type of assistance, many of these children’s prospects for a successful future are extremely limited. If you want to truly make a difference in the life of a child, then the DRC Congo Program is for you. Families are greatly needed to adopt these wonderful children.

At dinner time each night, we 3 together thank God for each other, for the food, and for our family, but I especially thank God for bringing these 2 boys into my life. I pray that I can raise them to be happy and successful and have a passion for each experience they pursue in life. Thank you One World Adoption Services and the orphanage in DRC for this awesome opportunity! May God truly use me, their Papa, and our surrounding family and friends to truly make a difference in the lives of these 2 children.

-Clay Gillispie, new father of 2 boys

The refundability of the adoption tax credit will remain in effect for 2011.

The refundability expires on December 31, 2011 and will not be available for 2012.

The full text of the law can be found in Section 101 of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

There are lots of photos of Caleb, not so many of the city and people of Kinshasa, as it is not a good idea to take pictures in public. Our hope in making this video is that you will not only get to see our journey, but that perhaps it will inspire a few of you to travel the road of International adoption. More information can be found here:http://journeytocongo.blogspot.com”

OWAS January 2012 Newsletter

I have said before adoption is a beautiful picture of God’s love for us.  We had in our minds the way this whole thing was going to go down when God led us to adopt again.  I can assure you it was not to come to Africa.  I had no desire to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to come here.  I had no desire to stay in conditions below what I thought was standard.  I had no desire to eat food I did not want to eat.  I had no desire to sweat uncontrollably just walking out the door, not to mention the ice cold showers.  We liked our family, we had an even number.  Starting with a young child again brings many challenges.  We have already adopted two children…it is someone else’s turn.  I had many, many more excuses, these are just a few.  But we truly felt led here and it would have been way easier to give all the excuses and some of them were pretty good, but today as I sit and listen to this beautiful little girl say, “I love you mama” and reach her hands up for me to pick her up and when I do she throws her arms around my neck and zerberts my cheek…I cannot imagine not following God’s leading.  We have helped a child out of a desperate situation (when you make them feel better), but in four short days she has taught me more about love, trust, hope and myself than I can ever repay (you’ll feel better too).  It is a privilege and an honor to be her mom!  – A. True

Although there can be some affordable adoption options out there like adopting older children or going through
the foster care system, most adoptions are quite expensive and we need to have a game plan of how we are
going to afford it. OWAS has a great list of grant options on this website. Take time to look at those and also do
an internet search of your own to see what else is being offered out there. Also, check with your employers,
churches, or other organizations with whom you are affiliated. You never know who is catching the vision and
starting Adoption Financial Assistance funds.
Now outside of grants, we can also do fundraising. Ironic that the word fun is in fundraising, isn’t it? My husband
and I did a few things like a yard sale. Some friends of ours, Jason and Michele, went a step further and asked
others, such as friends and family, to donate items toward their yard sale. I wish we would have thought of that!
Other fundraising ideas are below:
1. Bake Sale
2. Fundraising Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner. Have a guest speaker talk about adoption.
3. Raffle. See if department stores will donate sample items or coupons.
4. Yard Sale / Garage Sale (ask friends & family if they have anything to contribute)
5. Make items to sell at craft shows or consignment shops.
6. Sell items on eBay
7. Through selling products such as coffee, coupons books, candy bars, magazines, etc... Holiday shopping has
started!
If you choose number 7 above, here is a link to about.com that can be helpful with regarding how to pick the right
products to sell for your fundraising needs. They even have a pdf for you to use as “A Tool for Evaluating Fund
Raising Companies:” http://nonprofit.about.com/od/fundraising/a/fundproduct.htm
This is another link with some additional product ideas, blogs and other resources: http://www.fundraisers.com/
products/index.html
If you are not internet savvy, let me give you a tip. Once you decide on fundraising ideas or events; then search
on different ways people did that particular event. The more creative the better.
Now how to get the word out. A good option is to send out a family newsletter letting everyone know of your plans
to adopt. Include all the fundraising ideas and invite them to the events. You can make a section of “how you can
be a part of this special time in our lives,” and let them know you could use any help with set up or busy work that
goes into each fundraiser. Take the time to stress that any additional ideas they have are welcome! A section of
prayer requests is a good idea too. We were missionaries at the time of our adoption so we had a newsletter list
of approximately 400 people at the time. This made it easy to ask for help, donations, prayers, and ideas. For
people who do not have an already established mailing list, one suggestion is to use your wedding invitation list
as a starting point, and then add on new friends, co-workers, church acquaintances, etc... from your current
address book. Yes, some people get annoyed with newsletters, but remember to use proper etiquette. Avoid
being pushy, or venting frustrations that can be misconstrued as guilt tactics. Just let your excitement, joy, and
love for your child come through in the letter. Even if you get just a few that can join you in helping with ideas, or
the busy work of your fundraisers, it will be worth the stamps. Also, think of this: What if you have a great
motivational, ambitious friend in the bunch whose gift is communication and helps? Where you may be shy, this
friend has a much easier time trying to raise funds for you. There may be another friend or family member in that
list who could have connections with corporations who love to donate toward adoption. You just never know who
could rise up to help you out. From the experience we had raising funds for our ministry over the years, it almost
always came from the people we least expected!
I found this link, http://www.theadoptionguide.com/cost/articles/how-we-afforded-adoption. It’s full of ideas and
testimonies of what other adoptive families have done. They also have several different links on this page leading
to other ideas such as low-interest loans, secondary part-time employment, ways to cut back, and more.
I cannot imagine going through the adoption process years ago before the internet was created. Thank God for
technology!