Practical. Realistic. Gospel-filled Summit on Adoption and Child Welfare

When we were thinking about adoption but a little too afraid to move forward, God used a conference like this to give us the courage to go for it.

Practical. Realistic. Biblical. Story-based. Research-filled. Gospel-filled.

For all these reasons, Bethany's Northeast Adoption and Child Welfare Summit is a great step to get equipped for fostering, adoption and caring for orphans or support other believers from your church who are taking these steps.

October 7-8, 2016
Calvary Church

1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster PA

Friday October 7
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, October 8
8:30 am – 6:00 pm (includes lunch)

By the end of your time here, you will be better prepared to care for vulnerable children and families who have gone through:

• Foster Care
• Adoption
• Child Trafficking
• Refugee Displacement 
• Family History of Violence, Substance Abuse, Incarceration
• Orphanage Experience

Includes 50+ sessions to choose from.

If funds are scarce right now and you're part of Grace Church of Alexandria, GCA's Adoption Fund might help pay your way. Contact fund administrator Garrett Lee with questions. Feel free to ask us any questions about the summit since we attended this event and been strengthened by it.

Announcing the Arrival of Elijah Jackson!

We're overjoyed to share that–with your help–on March 20, 2016, we adopted 3-day old Elijah Jackson and brought him home from the hospital where he had been born. After a ten day wait, Elijah was declared to be our son henceforth and forevermore.

Elijah is a handsome, energetic boy with the thickest darkest hair you can imagine! He's a happy boy who we often find smiling the biggest smiles. He loves to get the attention of his older brother Jadon who adores his baby brother and loves to entertain him.

We have the deepest respect and admiration for Elijah's birth mother who courageously gave birth to this dear little boy and chose us to be his forever family. We would value your prayers for God's hand of kindness to be on her.

Thanks to each of you who lifted up prayers for us while we were waiting, donated to our adoption fund, and said an encouraging word. Truly, this was a community effort; as Elijah grows older we'll tell him about our friends who helped make a difference in his life.

Highest praise belongs to the Lord God who gave us barrenness so that we might open our hearts to these two boys–Elijah and Jadon. He knew what he was doing by giving us that trail of tears. The Father lovingly guided these precious boys into our home so that we may have the privilege of discipling and pointing them to him.

   Sing to God! Sing in praise of his name!

   A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows

   is God in his holy dwelling

   God sets the lonely in families.

   

   Psalm 68:4-6

photo: introducing Elijah...his face is blurred out since we may not post his image until a court finalizes his adoption

We're looking to add a second little one to our nest by adoption. God clearly led the way for us to adopt our son, Jadon, in 2012 and we anticipate seeing how he will add a second little one to our family. At this time, we are simply waiting and ready. 

Adopting domestically costs $27,000 + $2,000 attorney fees. Costs provide medical care for the expectant mom, counseling, legal fees and agency costs. We are grateful for community effort in adopting through creative fundraisers.

We appreciate your prayers!

Jonathan, Christy & Jadon M.