Jun 24, 2010

Need to Understand...help!



I REALLY could use some insight...

Two weeks ago, God spoke something to me and it didn't make a bit of sense to me.  Actually, He spoke and I said, "Huh?"  It wasn't that I didn't understand what He said (like that it wasn't clear), it was that I can't get my mind around what He might be saying. (does that make sense?)

He said, "Kimmie, you are an activist."

I said, "HUH?" 

To be honest, activist isn't a word I normally toss around.  Hey, it is a word I probably never have even spoken.  So to hear my Father speak it to me, well, it was confusing.  I actually went to the dictionary today to see if I really knew what it meant.

activism:  : a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue


*An activist is a person who takes vigorous action in support or opposition of a controversial issue

So, I have to ask you, is adoption of a 16 year old (or a 17 or 18 year old) a controversial issue?


  I came to learn that our country-my country...the U.S. of A.,  has a law saying that children who are 16 or older can't be adopted from Ethiopia (maybe other countries too??) 

I was so angry at hearing this, honestly my Hungarian blood began to boil. That Attila the Hun blood does course through my veins, and if you remember your history, he wasn't known for his gentle spirit. However, I also found myself weeping, as I prayed to God about how this could actually be true.  How could a child, an orphan, at 16 not be able to be placed into a family that is willing to adopt them? 

God has given me a holy passion for orphans and justice for them. How can this new information not upset me or motivate me to a new level of orphan care commitment?

 How could a government not allow this?  After all, we have paid for home studies, that state we want and can afford to care for them.  We clearly have it established that we will be responsible for meeting their needs and providing for them.  How then can 16 be the cut off- to a child who has no hope and no future as an orphan. How can this age suddenly be *too old?" 

I certainly don't have all of the details, but I know that kids are having to go through bone scans in Ethiopia to try to determine age, if they think that birth age may be closer to that 16 year old cut off age. 

This question of age comes from the fact that there are no birth certificates in Ethiopia, or very few.  How can we rely on bone scans?  We do remember that these are orphans who have not had food or care over their very hard lives?  I am pretty sure that bones don't grow the same when you are starving.  What kind of foolishness is this, I am asking?

So, what do you think all of this might mean? I have heard of adoption advocates, but never adoption activists.   I'd love to hear what you think?  And if someone is already an activist...tell me what I can do. 
Or if I am totally confused-set me straight!

11 comments:

Shonni said...

I am trying to catch up on your blog. We have been out of town.
And personally, I believe that we must all be activist, if that is what is needed, for the sake of the children. That hole age thing is unbelievable!!!
I am praying for you - got get em!!!

Renata said...

Activist - a word I also don't use often, but I do think you are an activist already - by adopting your children you are standing up for the orphans. By sharing on your blog you are helping more people know about their plight - those bone scans are so sad - if someone wants to adopt a child shouldn't they just be able to. Not that our country can talk - our adoption laws are tough - the more I look into them the heavier my heart is - how I wish they were like the U.S. laws. I do pray for you most days - God places you on my heart - I know He is using you for an amazing work.
God bless
Renata :)

Stacy said...

I always think of an activist as someone who is actively fighting for a cause.

So by that definition, you are one!

[And how wonderful that it is *God's* cause you are fighting for!]

Praising God for your heart and spirit, Kimmie!

He loves you much!

SF said...

I would certainly think of you as an activist Kimmie! You stand up for what you believe in, with your whole heart and your whole life. You are an inspiration. I don't know if God is telling you something specific with this age thing... which may I add is a travesty.... you'll have to wait on Him to find out!
Love you. xo

The Niedermeyers said...

I think I would like to join you as an activist. Where do we start?

Anonymous said...

Kimmie, You know we are right in the middle of this. I do not know why this law is in place or the reasoning behind it? It certainly seems like a law that should be changed to benefit the children. Maybe that is your call to activism? Although you do a pretty great job already! Praying for our girl!
Teresa

Anonymous said...

Hi Kimmie, I don't really know much about the adoption law you speak of but I was just thinking maybe it is in place so that the younger children would be placed in homes first. They probably feel that at that age they can provide for themselves??? Just a thought. I live in Canada and I am not sure what are adoption laws are. Either way I agree with the others that you are a quite an activist in your own way already.

Keep it up.

Lori

Expat Mom said...

I agree with the others, you're already an activist . . . keep fighting for the kids.

To me, an activist (and I've known many in my time) is someone who is so passionate about something, they aren't willing to sit on their behind and watch things happen. They are "active" they get up and DO something about what they see happening.

You're active, you are not just acting to adopt and give children a home, you let the world know and you are doing things to ensure that the children who need homes are not forgotten.

Happymom4 aka Hope Anne said...

Kimmie, I think the age is pretty much of a USA law for all countries. The only exception that I know of is if a say 16 or 17 year old is adopted as part of a sib group by a family all at once. Even then, there are some additional hoops the family has to jump through for the older child is my understanding. We had a family in our church adopt a 4 person sib group from Guat. a few years ago, and the oldest was 16 or 17 at the time. There is a sad case I'm aware of in the Russian adoption community where a Mom adopted a younger sib from Russia and either didn't know about the older sib or wasn't able to adopt them at that point. They later tried to adopt the girl, but due to the age thing have been prevented from doing so. Things were about to break loose that they could possibly get her into the USA when the legal guardian (aka known as adoptive mother) of the Russian child sent him back unescorted to Russia. Things gummed up and that has been the end of that. Meanwhile, the girl languishes in Russia, wishing to come to the states to be with her sister, and the sister is here . . it's very sad. Let me know if you want to be put in touch with the adoptive Mom. She could use some more activists.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Perhpas you are going to be the activist who God uses to get that RIDICULOUS law changed! :)

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

When I was a sophmore in college I was dating a guy whose step father adopted him...at age 18! His birth father abandoned his mother while she was pregnant with him, but since she was married Scott carried the man's last name until his step father adopted him. My boyfriend had to change all his college documents to make them match up with his new last name...and handed out a cigar to his step dad that said "It's a Boy!"

So I know for a fact that back in 1973 it was legal in the USA (California) to adopt someone even at age 18.

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