Gosh, so behind on blogging that I'm just getting the chance to share about an amazing opportunity Adam and I had in May. On Monday, May 6th, we had the privilege of being a part of the STUCK tour. As you can see the STUCK tour bus stopped by The Spectrum Movie Theatre in Albany that evening, to show its documentary called, yes "STUCK" about the need for reform for international adoptions and about advocating for the improved care for orphans around the world. The film discusses how millions of children are stuck in the adoption process for far too long, due to complicated paperwork, varying politics, its high costs, among other things. The problem: too many children are failed by the system and never join a family, and too many children spend years in institutions due to the overly lengthy process, and too many children and families are waiting far longer than necessary to be allowed to be together. Why does it about 20 months for children who have been referred to a family to join their families? What is happening to children while they are waiting? What can we do to help the children? Well, I would say, don't give up on them or not consider adoption because it seems too hard, expensive, lengthy or complicated, because I already know its worth the wait for my sweet one, and that there are millions more waiting. I heard someone say the verse, "Love is patient...(1 Cor. 13:4) in regards to adoption today. Quite appropriate I think and encouraging to me.
I hesitate to say much about the film, because it speaks so eloquently itself. Its one of those, "You just gotta see it for yourself" type of things. Let me grab a quote from the Both Ends Burning "Vision & Mission page (https://bothendsburning.org/about-us/vision-mission/) -
". . . the current international adoption trend shows an almost 60% decline in the number of children adopted since 2004. The average international adoption takes 3-5 years to complete leaving innocent children to spend their most formative years languishing in institutional settings. We believe that this is in direct violation of human rights and one of the greatest social injustices of the decade."
STUCK follows 3 adoptive families and their journeys to their children in Vietnam, Haiti and Ethiopia. STUCK is worth watching, only about 1 1/2 hours long and moves along quickly. It flew by for me. Please consider downloading the movie for $6.50 on sale this week (or ordering the DVD) and watching it with someone else, your spouse, a friend, family member, and joining the STUCK movement. I'm going to get the DVD - if you want to borrow it from me, please comment or fb message me.
As the bus says, "Its more than a movie. Its a movement."
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| Adam and I with the other Albany STUCK Volunteers. I'd like to give a shout out to The French's! |
"Every child deserves a family" is the mission of the STUCK movement, to help orphans find families ultimately.
So true. If you saw a child in need of affection, of a bottle, of attention, wouldn't you quickly give that child your hand, some milk, or play a game with him or her? You would. In institutions, or orphanages, there are caregivers and many of them do care deeply about the children but are limited in what time, affection, relationship and provision they can give to each child. They work hard tending to the childrens' needs, but the thing is, children thrive on the one-on-one attention of a caregiver, and they thrive in families. Children want to play and be played with, to be hugged with love and affection, to be celebrated, to be a part of a family.
The STUCK movement continues, though the current tour of the documentary of 60 cities in 78 days finished in May with a march in Washington D.C., to draw the government's attention to the needs of orphans. As Craig Juntunen said, the "Both Ends Burning Campaign" (which produced STUCK) will work to be the "squeaky wheel" in D.C. - we have to get the attention of politicians. We need the government's attention to improve international adoption. There are lives at stake, the lives of little children, and Jesus loves the little children. This is important work. There is so much more to say really about the inspiring words of Craig Juntunen (Both End Burning Campaign Founder and Pres., Exec. Producer of STUCK) and his vision, but its enough for an entire blog post, so that's to come! |
| Both Ends Burning Campaign President and Founder Craig Juntunen, and Executive Producer of STUCK |
Prayer Requests:Praise: I heard a family who was submitted for Emigration Permission in mid-May received Emigration Permission approval 6 weeks later (just this week) - This is a praise because this family is part of Batch 1 for the 2012 referrals and it means the ball is rolling. After 6 months of the ball kinda sitting still, this is goooood news! We want all these kiddos to join their families, not just ours!
Request: Gosh, we miss this boy. We love him SOOOOO much! Any piece of news regarding him is comforting to our souls! When we check our email and there is an email about him, we are thrilled. This happens sometimes once a month, sometimes twice, some months not at all. Please pray we receive a well-baby check-up or a photo or progress report or news of his Emigration Permission being submitted this week or next. Something would be so very nice. Please pray his case moves forward more than anything. Thank you for praying!
There's so much more to say about this evening. I actually jotted down notes on a piece of paper during Craig Juntunen's talk and want to share more and will soon. Gotta track down that piece of paper........
And don't forget, if you want to see STUCK, download it now while its $6.50 instead of $12 - then watch it when you get a chance (- Gotta have the "This is a gift" box checked to get the sale price) - go here http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com/buy/gift! On ITunes its $9.99.
In honor of my dear cousin
- Kennedy Michael Fitzgerald -
on his 26th birthday (6/30)
(I didn't know these words til I heard them spoken of Ken and now they encourage me).
"Be the change you want to see
in the world."
~ Mahatma Ghandi
(Both inspiring men with a vision for the world).
The world can change.
We can make a difference and help these children.
Click this link to read more about the:
