Pray and Act!

Dear Friends,

Many of you may have heard about the recent law passed and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  In a round of political schemes and feuding with the United States, Russia has decided to ban all adoptions of Russian children by American families.  (You can read more about the why of this is happening at various news websites.)

Hundreds of children are adopted each year from Russia by Americans - many of them children with physical or mental disabilities.  Currently, there are over 50 families who have bonded with their adoptive children in Russia...and many more families who are in the beginning stages of the process.  One of those families is my sister Reagan and her husband Adam.  They announced to us all this Christmas that they had begun the adoption process of a little girl with Down's syndrome in Russia.  That little one has already become part of our family and we are so saddened by this news.   We also know of other families who have already travelled to Russia, have met and hugged on their little ones and have promised to come back for them.  This is truly heartbreaking. 

But...God is in control.  Throughout Scripture, we see his heart for the orphan and widow.  He will not stand by and let these orphans - mostly unwanted in their own country - be victimized because of a political game.  We can do something.  First...please PRAY for this situation.  Pray for softened hearts....for boldness and wisdom for those in the States and Russia who are protesting against this law....for a quick resolution to this so that those children can come home to their forever families.

Secondly, you can petition the White House by signing your name at the link provided.  By rule, the White House must act officially to a petition that receives more than 25,000 signatures within 30 days.  It has already hit about 50,000....but we can add more! 

Please pray for the families who are hurting and longing for their children in Russia. 

Thank you,
Kamie and family

**UPDATE:  The White House has already made an official statement to the petition on the White House website.  Please stay tuned for more ways to act as they come available!**