Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Belachew got a haircut too
When asked what he thought about his haircut, he replied "I feel like a new man!"
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Good news from Congress
Whether or not you are happy with the Health Care Reform Bill, it included some great news for adoptive families (and potential adoptive families). The Adoption Tax Credit, which had been scheduled to end this year, has now been extended and even increased.
Here is a summary:
-The current adoption tax credit has been extended until the end of 2011
-The value of the adoption tax credit has been increased by $1,000 from $12,170 to $13,170.
-The increase is "retroactive," meaning that any adoption occurring after January 1, 2010 is eligible for this higher credit.
-The credit is now refundable. This means that even families that owe zero taxes can receive the full tax credit in the form of a tax refund to help with their adoption-related expenses in the first year.
For more information, check out the Christian Alliance For Orphans blog
If you have ever considered adoption but thought you could not afford it, you might be wrong! This is truly amazing, incredible news for adoptive families and I pray that this opens the door for more families to adopt and more orphans to be welcomed into loving families.
Here is a summary:
-The current adoption tax credit has been extended until the end of 2011
-The value of the adoption tax credit has been increased by $1,000 from $12,170 to $13,170.
-The increase is "retroactive," meaning that any adoption occurring after January 1, 2010 is eligible for this higher credit.
-The credit is now refundable. This means that even families that owe zero taxes can receive the full tax credit in the form of a tax refund to help with their adoption-related expenses in the first year.
For more information, check out the Christian Alliance For Orphans blog
If you have ever considered adoption but thought you could not afford it, you might be wrong! This is truly amazing, incredible news for adoptive families and I pray that this opens the door for more families to adopt and more orphans to be welcomed into loving families.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Unshaken-World Water Day
Today is World Water Day
From Charity:water's website:
Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Many people in the developing world, usually women and children, walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick. Those hours are crucial, preventing many from working or attending school. Additionally, collecting water puts them at greater risk of sexual harassment and assault. Children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of unsafe water. Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.
Unshaken - charity: water's campaign for Haiti from charity: water on Vimeo.
From Charity:water's website:
Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Many people in the developing world, usually women and children, walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick. Those hours are crucial, preventing many from working or attending school. Additionally, collecting water puts them at greater risk of sexual harassment and assault. Children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of unsafe water. Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
We had a great time last weekend with the Makukus! We love their family and always enjoy time together. We had a busy weekend, with meetings and events at our church, but it is always an encouragement to hear what God is doing through them in Kibera.
You can read more about their ministry in Kibera here.
One year ago
On March 13, 2009, we received our referral for Hudson and saw this sweet face for the first time:
Our adoption process was hard and challenging at times (due to many circumstances that were out of our agency's control). To be honest, I really wrestled with God during this time, questioning His faithfulness and His plan. While we were waiting to adopt Hudson Musse, he was hospitalized a few times and and there were times when we were not sure if he was going to make it. We also faced some paperwork obstacles, which raised the question if we would ever be able to adopt him. But thankfully, God's plan for Hudson Musse included us. On November 23, when I walked into his orphanage, lifted him out of his crib, and held him in my arms for the first time, my heart was full. Our adoption process was not smooth and easy, but it was worth it.
Hudson Musse is a sweet, happy, cuddly boy. He is determined and he is growing up so quickly! He has the greatest smile and laugh. He has made so much progress in his development these past few months. Hudson Musse, we love you and are so thankful that God brought you into our family, in His time.
Our adoption process was hard and challenging at times (due to many circumstances that were out of our agency's control). To be honest, I really wrestled with God during this time, questioning His faithfulness and His plan. While we were waiting to adopt Hudson Musse, he was hospitalized a few times and and there were times when we were not sure if he was going to make it. We also faced some paperwork obstacles, which raised the question if we would ever be able to adopt him. But thankfully, God's plan for Hudson Musse included us. On November 23, when I walked into his orphanage, lifted him out of his crib, and held him in my arms for the first time, my heart was full. Our adoption process was not smooth and easy, but it was worth it.
Hudson Musse is a sweet, happy, cuddly boy. He is determined and he is growing up so quickly! He has the greatest smile and laugh. He has made so much progress in his development these past few months. Hudson Musse, we love you and are so thankful that God brought you into our family, in His time.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Two years ago
Two years ago on this day, we saw this face for the first time:
You can read more about getting our referral call here.
Our lives have never been the same since. Kenyon Belachew, you are an energetic, playful boy, with a sensitive and caring spirit. You are a social and outgoing and have a great heart. You make us laugh and always keep us on our toes. We are so thankful to be your parents.
You can read more about getting our referral call here.
Our lives have never been the same since. Kenyon Belachew, you are an energetic, playful boy, with a sensitive and caring spirit. You are a social and outgoing and have a great heart. You make us laugh and always keep us on our toes. We are so thankful to be your parents.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
"A Slum Eye View"
"A Slum Eye View"
Sometimes you might think you are on Mars or Venus, but all the same you are still on Earth.
You can see so many houses squeezed and there is no space for young children to play.
Very few children go to school because education fees are very expensive compared with the jobs that their parents are doing.
But whatever you have, thank God. If you don't have shoes, thank God because there are some people without legs.
Written by Peter Ndolo, age 13, resident of a Nairobi slum
Sometimes you might think you are on Mars or Venus, but all the same you are still on Earth.
You can see so many houses squeezed and there is no space for young children to play.
Very few children go to school because education fees are very expensive compared with the jobs that their parents are doing.
But whatever you have, thank God. If you don't have shoes, thank God because there are some people without legs.
Written by Peter Ndolo, age 13, resident of a Nairobi slum
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