Welcome to the defender podcast, a resource to help mobilize and equip the body of Christ to manifest the gospel to orphans and vulnerable children. This podcast is a ministry of Lifeline Children Services, and I'm your host, Herbie Newell. It's Wednesday, November 6, 2024, and I'm coming to you from Birmingham, Alabama. Well, today, I am joined by no stranger to the defender podcast, Karla Rosen Thrasher, who is our senior director of international programs and specifically, oversees our adoption programs or international adoption programs. She coordinates with other lifeline departments as well to serve waiting children and families.

She also has helped big help with our government compliance, and and we've talked about some of these issues even on a previous version as we've had to really, look for government compliance both with the Hague regulations, but also with government advocacy as we've advocated for the kids that have been waiting in China, still waiting in China as of this recording, to come home to their families who've been waiting and and and striving to bring recording, to come home to their families who've been waiting and and and striving to bring them home since before COVID. Karla lives in Birmingham with her husband, Jamie, and they have 3 children, Michael, Mary Allison, and Lucy, as well as 2 granddaughters. Karla, before, you know, we start, I guess, talk a little bit about the significance of the month we're in. We're in November. It's National Adoption Month.

Why do you think it's so important that that we have a a month that's set out like National Adoption Month.

Herbie, that is such an easy answer, for all of us that are in this world every single day. Just a month where we set aside time to really highlight the need, the continuing need to support the vulnerable, specifically vulnerable children all over the world. We know internationally there are a 147,000,000 orphans. A very, very, very small percentage of those actually eligible for adoption. But using this month to highlight not only the international adoption programs that Lifeline has, but also just how to care for the vulnerable that won't be adopted and what that looks like in their countries.

I think even as we look at National Adoption Month, you know, it's a great time to start an adoption journey. And one of the things that we're excited to announce is that we're gonna offer a $1,000 scholarship towards the first agency fees for families applying for full international adoption program during the month of November. And so with the support of our Hope Adoption Fund, we've been helping families overcome financial barriers, providing guidance and support at every stage of the adoption process. And so we would invite anyone to take this step and and maybe you've been praying over it. Maybe you've been thinking about it for a long time.

Maybe it's been something that's been on your heart since you were a child. Let National Adoption Month be the time that you take the first step of the journey to bring hope, and a forever family to a waiting child. And so if you're interested in this promotion, you can go to lifelinechild.org backslash begin. Again, that's lifelinechild.org backslash begin to learn more. You can also see our show notes for the link.

And remember, we're offering this $1,000 scholarship towards the first agency fee for families applying to full international program from November 1st to 30th. Well, Karla, we we talked about the waiting children, And, you know, I think a lot of times here and maybe the public doesn't hear us say that. We're looking for children for families, not, we're looking for families for children, not looking for children for families. And so because of that, there are waiting kids. There are waiting kids that need families around the world.

Talk a little bit about what that looks like. What is the wait looking like for children around the world?

So, Harvey, even backing up a little bit, you know, who are these children? You know, what do these children look like that are eligible for intercountry adoption in 2024? Because we've definitely seen changes in this landscape over the past 7, 8 years. A typical child eligible for international adoption at this time is gonna be a child that's older. The average age of child coming home through intercountry adoption, at Lifeline over the past couple of years has been 7 years old.

So that's a big, you know, kind of a big switch from seeing the 2 3 year olds, you know, that we saw 7, 8 years ago coming home to families. We are seeing many, many sibling groups in need of families in our country, specifically our Latin American countries. We're also seeing children with more significant needs, whether those be medical needs, behavioral needs, cognitive needs. We're seeing an increase in, in the need in children coming home through intercountry adoption. And I want to celebrate for a minute just the reason behind that.

We celebrate that many of the countries where we serve internationally are developing their own domestic programs. And that's something we've actually championed in a lot of our countries, helping governments develop those programs because if children can stay in their culture, in their country of origin, with families that are prepared and equipped to care for the specific needs of children that come to families through adoption, that is wonderful. And that is something that Lifeline will always support. But looking at just a lot of the reasons for why are children getting older, in addition to countries having emerging domestic programs, we're just seeing, like you mentioned earlier, Herbie, cost is increasing to adopt children internationally. That's not because Lifeline is making a lot of money or any money actually off of those adoptions, but the cost of paying for the in country fees, the travel to the countries, the stay in countries to complete adoption processes.

So that's why we see a lot of the increase in children being older, needs increasing because children's children are institutionalized longer and without the care, of primary caregivers and all of the attention that that affords. So I kind of went went around a lot in the question that you asked, but that's what it's looking like. That's what the kids that are coming home are looking like these days through intercountry adoption. Very thankfully, we've seen 81 children come home to missional families through Lifeline in 2024. We're hoping to see a strong, increase to that number, as we finish out the last couple months.

And we talk about this in numbers, but I wanna keep in front of this audience. We are talking about children having moms and dads and siblings and families and warm pajamas and education, having needs met. I think it's important that we really put a personal side to what we're seeing too.

And, you know, Karla, you you talk about, you know, the needs, and, certainly, I think it's scary when people sometimes even think of these needs, sibling groups, maybe older children. You know, talk about some of the support that Lifeline gives to families, that you're not walking into this blind, but you really do have not just pre placement support in education, but post placement support in education as well.

Absolutely. I think Lifeline has done an incredible job. And we we hear this from people in the adoption community, even other agencies, commenting on the support that Lifeline is able to offer post adoption. And as we saw the changes that were happening with children getting older, sibling groups, children with more complex histories coming home, Lifeline really committed to caring for families post adoption. We set up our own in house counseling services, parent coaching.

So parent coaching, just real quick, parent coaching is a program where families are connected with a with a coach, and this coach knows their family specifically. We're not talking kind of gray broad strokes. We're talking what's going on in your home this week. What are some things you can do this week, to maybe bring about the healing or changes, you'd like to see in your in your child and family? Those are for the more common, challenges that we see post adoption.

And then we have our counselors, excellent staff of counselors that kind of take on the next level of challenges and walk with families through those challenges we know are coming, as you bring home children through intercountry adoption. And then something that is very unique to Lifeline that we've had such just really good reception from our families is our Bridge Services. And Bridge Services is unique because it focuses on the educational needs of children and not just the academic side, but how their brains work. How are they doing in social settings like a school system, a school classroom? And Mara Hinton leads this program with so much energy and just so much passion and just truly wanting to see families be successful in this area.

And, again, just working through the country requirements of post adoption reports that have to be completed to meet country requirements, just our team of caseworkers that are checking in on families with phone calls, checking in in person, with the post visits in their home. So it truly is just a blessing to be able to provide those services to families that have followed the call of the Lord and stepped out and brought home, brought children into their families through intercountry adoption.

So, Karla, you know, obviously, we've talked about that China has closed their adoption program going forth. And, you know, not just talking about the waiting children that we've talked about on a previous episode and these families that are desperately wanting to bring their kids home and the advocacy that's needed for that. But also thinking through and talking about, where do I go now? Right? Because I think for so many times and for years, people really just assumed that China was a go to.

We know it was streamlined. They had a very safe process. You knew what to expect. What what other countries are there, and and what countries would you even highlight if a family is saying, well, I thought I was gonna adopt from China one day, but now what do I do? Or where where are the needs of other children, and and what are those strong programs that I should be looking at?

Yeah. Great question. And, you know, it truly has been kind of a shock, in the adoption community to see a country like China close after so many years, Herbie, of being exactly what you said, the most well regulated, the most streamlined, a central authority that truly looked after the best interest of children and was so easy to work with, communicated well. We had wonderful relationships there. So even personally for Lifeline, I think this is a a big shock for us.

But, you know, it's it's been it's been interesting to see just other countries emerge in that space. We received accreditation in the Philippines, about this time last year and are really enjoying getting to know that central authority, are seeing that as a viable option for families that are looking at Asia programs. Colombia, Costa Rica, and Latin America both continue to be good programs for families. And then our Eastern European programs have truly had a wonderful year. We've received really positive feedback from the central authorities, just with regard to the families that they see coming, through Lifeline and and those are extended times in country.

So the central authorities are getting a chance to really know the families and watch the families with the children. But I would say, Herbie, those would be some of the top programs. And then India as well, another option in our in our Asia region. India continues to be our leading country at this time and a country where we're still seeing children on the younger side of the age spectrum coming home. Definitely children with with needs, medical needs, but, again, a really good option, for families that are looking to adopt internationally.

I know, Karla.

Right. We don't know what the future holds, but to a family that might even be just a little skittish. Right? Because they've they've seen Ethiopia over the years has shut down. Guatemala has shut down.

Cambodia shut down to adoption. Vietnam for a season, and now China. Is it safe for our hearts and our families to continue on this journey? What what comfort can we give a family who's thinking about starting this journey? And while the the end is not promised, what what is the advocacy that Lifeline provides for families and for children?

So it it it's interesting. In light of watching what's happened in the country you meant the countries you've mentioned, Herbie, and then watching China over the last few years, one of the things that we are we really are, doing is communicating well with our central authority, regarding the needs of an organization that provides intercountry adoption programs to families and just really advocating for their help relationally with the countries that we're serving. We have wonderful relationships with the central authorities in our countries here at Lifeline, and we are constantly in touch with them just about the needs that they have. How can we better serve you? So we're, you know, able to, you know, see referrals coming and, promote these countries for our families.

Lots and lots and lots of of advocacy. Lots of watching the statistics, watching the landscape, asking good questions when we see, maybe some flags come up regarding a specific country. But I love how you started this question because, you know, if you've been through an international adoption process, you know it's not easy. And you know there are no guarantees. And I think with everything in our our world, that's just becoming more true.

So I think one thing that Lifeline is able to offer to families is we're consistently pointing to you to the Lord, and reminding you of his call on your family and of his provision in this process and just the promises that he's made about what he has called you to. And it's not gonna be easy. There are so many things out of our control that make it not easy. But we all have the assurance that we're following the Lord and we're following where he leads, whatever that might look like. And I'm so grateful that the Lord has chosen to use Lifeline in this space and that we are committed to these children all over the world.

And I think one practical thing that's very helpful to families as they enter this process is because Lifeline has so many program options, if we do see a situation like we're seeing in China where a program would close, we've got lots of other options for families that are called to bring home a child through intercountry adoption. Even financially, we have a policy in place where a specific amount of your money will transfer from one program to another. And I think that's unique to Lifeline. But we have gone before families and we've thought through all of these situations and how can we make this kind of a more successful process even in all the challenges that we're seeing.

Hey. So I love the idea, obviously, and I hope people heard that of the transfer. And and even for many of these famous that were in the China program, we've helped them be able to transfer. But now let's talk maybe about the easier things, Carlo. Okay.

I'm ready. I I'm I'm gonna go on that begin lifelinechild.org back slash begin website. I'm I wanna get that scholarship in November. What is the next step, and what does the process look like going forward?

Yeah. So your next step would be to fill out a pre application, which puts you into our system and connects you with the experts here, in our in our international department that will talk you through what is the best fit for your family as far as a choice of a country. We'll help you assess the capacity of your family. We'll listen to you talk about, the child that you see parenting. What are your resources?

What would be the best fit for a child, and make that country decision. And at that point, you're assigned to a program caseworker. I really wish families could be a fly on the wall here in our international department and just just know that these these young women that are serving have such hearts for what they're doing and just truly love supporting families on this journey. So your caseworker will get you started with paperwork. We'll connect you with your home study provider, walk you through, all of the necessary steps.

I think one of the the biggest parts of the process is actually being matched with your child. And at that point, again, just a lot of discussions about what is gonna be the best fit for a child coming into your home, what is gonna be the best fit for your family, Connecting you with resources that will help support and equip you. Providing you with education, just general education that is necessary in intercountry adoption, but also child specific education. What is adopting a child with the specific needs that we see in your child's file? What is that gonna look like?

What additional support or equipping will you need? So that's what that process looks like. And then we continue through that process, supporting you through travel, supporting through you through the time and country, and then circling back to the post adoption resources, that we talked about earlier in the podcast.

Yeah. And, you know, Karla, what if you were talking to a family right now and, you know, they're going, I I look at all these programs. I I you've explained the ones that that are there. What what how would you lead a family to find the right program for them and their family?

Yeah. Starting more mac you know, kind of macro, just looking at the the requirements for the country because there are some countries with requirements that are gonna weed out certain families. So looking at that first and then looking at what's the best fit requirement wise, but then really looking with a family at what have our referrals looked like over the past year? What specifically are we seeing with regard to age and need of children coming home? And how do you feel that fits in with the dynamics of your family?

Looking at things like birth order, looking at financial resources, what is, parenting a child with this need gonna look like financially? So So I think that's, that's where we would start for sure with determining a country. I love too, Herbie, that some families come to us already knowing. They know they are called to a certain country. Maybe they have spent time in a country, fell in love with the people and the culture and were called many years ago, by the Lord, whether through mission work or just being in the country.

And they'll come to us and say, I've been called to adopt a child from Hungary. So we love when that happens as well and we love looking at that with a family and and ensuring that they're gonna be able to do that successfully.

You know, Karla, I think a lot of times and families come and and I know you've definitely talked to them. We have info meetings. And a lot of times, they ask the questions that they maybe are thinking of off the top of their head. But maybe even as we close, as people are praying and thinking, what are the questions they should be asking that they might not think about asking? What are what are those questions that they need to ask?

They need to ask either Lifeline or a social worker or even ask the Lord that don't naturally come to mind when you think about intercountry adoption.

That's a great question. And Herbie, I think those questions would really center around motivation. Why do they want to bring a child home through intercountry adoption? How well is their family equipped for challenges that are coming, with this process? So I think really just spending time in front of the Lord with those types of questions and then being able to talk that through with a caseworker.

I think finances are always a big question, not only just through the process, but post adoption. Do we have the resources it's going to take to parent a child that's going to have a lot of needs? Not just the medical needs that we we see kind of on paper, but the the counseling needs and the additional support that that child is gonna need. And I think lastly, Herbie, I think it's important for families to process through just their commitment to bringing a child home through intercountry adoption or, or really adoption in general. Do they have the capacity to see this child as their own and to view this child through the lens of, through the same lens that they view biological children, children already in their home.

I think that's really important to start off on that foot of just commitment to this child and following the Lord and seeking his provision in the challenges that we know are coming. I'd encourage families just to ask really good practical questions too with regard to time frames and just understanding processes. Families can't ask enough questions, and that's why our team is here. We want them to feel like they understand this process, that we've set good expectations. So I guess in closing, I'd say no question is not important and you can't ever ask enough questions actually.

So truly in closing, Karla, what else do people need to know about intercountry adoption? Maybe a question I haven't asked or something that you wanna make sure as we close that people know about intercountry adoption and specifically even the scholarship that we're offering in the month of November.

Yeah. Real quick to start off with the scholarship. I do want to share with families that this year alone, Lifeline has been able to provide almost $200,000, through our Hope Adoption Fund. And we're so grateful to the donors that make that possible, because we know that finances are one of the top reasons that families are not able to move forward with adoption. We are connected to with resources like Show Hope and Lifesong, but also are providing, just kind of record numbers of grant money to families, adopting children internationally.

And we're so grateful for that and we're so grateful to help eliminate the burden of finances. But I think in closing, Herbie, one thing I'd really wanna share with families, and I think the Lord really prepared me for this this week, just hearing some of the stories, from families that adopted internationally that are so encouraging. Hearing about a little boy named Will, who's blind, who came home at age 13. So right on the cusp of aging out of China's adoption system. And he has a love of music and he is now in a family that is providing opportunities for him to be in the marching band in his high school.

He's filling out applications for colleges where he's gonna go and study music. Another story of, a little girl that was adopted from China that actually played on the United States National wheelchair rugby team and placed 2nd in the world. And just the opportunities that she's had through being adopted and having a family that truly provided for her needs and kinda just overarching, Herbie, just the number of children that we're hearing that have accepted Christ as their savior. They're being baptized in their churches and just seeing Lifeline's mission and vision for these children come full circle. Yes.

They're in homes where their physical needs are being met. They have medical care. They're going to school, participating in all these extracurricular activities. But I think big picture, we really celebrate as a staff when a family lets us know a child has accepted Jesus into their heart or has been baptized. Or even as we saw this summer, we had a, a a little girl no.

An older girl, a young woman adopted from China that actually went back to Asia as a missionary, to now share the gospel with her culture and country of origin. So I think I wanna be sure that we talk a lot about the challenges. We talk a lot about the money. We talk a lot about the needs, but I wanna be sure that we're celebrating all that we're seeing on the back end of intercountry adoption as well and all of the amazing stories, whether it's a child learning to walk that we thought would never walk or whether it's something as grand as going to college on a scholarship to study music. It's all important.

These children are all so important and so precious to the Lord.

Amen. And so we wanna encourage you if you have heard this podcast and the Lord has been calling you for years to look into intercountry adoption and you already know you're ready to apply. Again, go to lifelinechild.org backslash begin. But maybe you're listening to this podcast and the Lord is pricking your heart to learn more about intercountry adoption. Know that you can always reach out to us at info at lifelinechild.org or call our main number at 205-967-0811.

You're gonna wanna ask for Heather, and Heather would love to schedule a time that you can talk and ask more questions about what is intercountry adoption look like. But know that we stand here ready to serve you and to equip you to bring gospel hope to the vulnerable. And just like Karla said, to see these children one day have their lives transformed and changed in such a way that they are now making disciples. Thanks for joining us for the Defender Podcast, and we look forward to seeing you again next week. Thanks for listening to the Defender Podcast.

If you enjoy making this podcast a part of your weekly routine, we'd love for you to take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the Defender Podcast to make it easier for more people to find. For more information on how you and your church can partner with Lifeline, visit us at lifelinechild.org. If you want to connect with me, please visit herbynewell.com. Follow us at Lifeline on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by searching for Lifeline Child. You can email us directly at info at lifelinechild.org.

Beloved, will you allow god to use the gospel to you to impact the life of a child? Please contact us because we are here to defend the fatherless. We'll see you again next week for the Defender podcast.