(the morning after I met Elijah in Liberia -- 2005)
The first time I typed "international adoption" into Google the results overwhelmed me, to say the least. How would it ever be possible to narrow down the number of agencies, countries, and specific choices available?
What we really needed were some personal recommendations, but we didn't know many people who had adopted at that time.
Thankfully you don't need to figure all of this out from scratch. This post contains many helpful links to get you moving in a good direction as you navigate these new waters.
Agencies
(Most of these agencies do international adoptions and work with US residents; some do domestic adoptions as well. All are non-profit agencies that we have either used or know friends who have used and recommend.)
* Holt International - Holt pioneered the first international adoption from Korea decades ago and has extensive experience in many countries. They advocate for children in many ways, including adoption.
We used Holt for Trishna's adoption from India--they are known for being extremely professional.
* America World Adoption Association
* Bethany Christian Services - Bethany does domestic, international, and embryo adoption.
* All God's Children International
* Loving Alternatives Adoption Agency - a small, Christian domestic adoption agency based out of Texas
* Adopt US Kids - online photolisting of children in US foster care awaiting adoption
* Loving Shepherd Ministries - This organization offers an assessment form that prospective adoptive parents can complete. Using the results, they help to point you to the country/type of program that would be best for your family.
Books
This is a list of helpful adoption books that I've come across over the years. Some titles are informational and some share inspiring adoption stories.
* A Treasury of Adoption Miracles
* Loved By Choice: True Stories That Celebrate Adoption
* Adoption As A Ministry, Adoption As A Blessing
* After the Dream Comes True
* Raising Adopted Children
* The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family
* Talking with Young Children about Adoption
* Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child
* Inside Transracial Adoption
* Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies
The adoption world changes rapidly, and I've been out of it for a few years now.
So if you're also an adoptive parent, please help me complete this post by leaving a comment with links (of agencies/books/or other resources) that you have found beneficial--thanks!
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Jamie
is
founder of this spot called Steady Mom, editor of the blog Simple
Homeschool, mama to three cute kids born on three different
continents, and author of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional,
Professional Motherhood.
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