Russian adoption again an option_71403
Posted: 7/11/03
Russian adoption again an option
By Heather Price
Buckner News Service
After three years of waiting, Buckner International Adoption Services has received accreditation to resume placing Russian orphans for adoption.
Buckner processed more than 100 Russian adoptions before July 2000, when the Russian government began requiring accreditation from all adoption agencies working in the country.
“Russia cares very deeply about their children and their orphanages and placing them with good families,” explained Tiffany Taylor, director of Buckner's Shoes for Orphan Souls program. “They now do extensive background checks with all the agencies that are involved.”
| Russian orphans once again will be able to find loving families in America through the work of Buckner International Adoption Services. |
Buckner received its accreditation June 25, opening the door for Buckner to help hundreds of Russian orphans find homes in the United States.
“Ongoing prayers and patience in the Lord's timing has kept us going, and it is awesome to see the door open for us to continue to help children,” said Debbie Wynne, director of international adoption services. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to continue Buckner's ministry of helping those precious Russian children join with forever families.”
Many Buckner adoptive families have been waiting anxiously for accreditation. “They have been praying this day would come,” Wynne said.
With the new system, Buckner can place children with families more quickly than previously.
“Now it has opened up the doors where we can do adoptions with the children in the same orphanages we are doing humanitarian aid,” Taylor said.
Buckner helps hundreds of orphanages in Russia through its Shoes for Orphan Souls project. The project, which began with the name “Shoes for Russian Souls,” has distributed more than 700,000 new shoes to orphans around the world.
Russia long has been a focal point of Buckner's work. The international adoption program began there in 1995.
“We know from our work in Russia that there are many, many wonderful children in the orphanages,” Taylor said.
Buckner International Adoption Services provides complete adoption services in China, Guatemala and Russia.
To celebrate receiving Russian accreditation, Buckner will host a reception July 22 at the Buckner International Adoption office, 4830 Samuell Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Families and their adopted Russian children will be attending. The public is invited to attend as well.
Immediately afterward, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., an orientation session will be offered for anyone interested in adopting internationally. The meeting is free, but reservations are suggested. Call Jean Barnes at (214) 381-1552.
“This is a great day for Buckner,” said Ken Hall, president of Buckner Benevolences. “But most of all, it is a super day for children in need of a family. God is smiling, and Jesus is pleased once more that people are allowing little children to come to him.”