In the last year or so, there have been sweeping changes with how orphans are cared for in China. New laws began to take effect in spring 2017, and basically, they are not for the betterment of the orphans, but rather for more strict control by the Chinese government. Children are being removed from loving foster homes and being sent back to state-run orphanages. Many of these orphans had been cared for in foster homes for most of their lives, where the child and caregiver ratios were much better, their special and medical needs were attended to appropriately, and the children had the “luxury” of receiving care and attention from the same nanny, day in and day out, as opposed to an often revolving door of orphanage workers. When a foster home or adoption organization—many having been in operation in China for years— got the call that the children in their care were going to be returned to their area orphanage, they would typically have an hour or less before the authorities showed up, took control of the children, and placed them in the prison-like facilities of the state-run orphanage….leaving the children confused and traumatized, having to say goodbye to their trusted foster families who were often the only caregivers they had ever known.
In recent weeks, I’ve watched the pictures and videos of these children pop up on my screen via social media. Seeing the tears of these young boys and girls in foster homes, as well as their nannies, saying goodbye to each other and hello to an uncertain future in a Chinese orphanage is heartbreaking. What these children want—and need—is clear and straightforward. A way out of this broken system and a family to call their own, a mommy and a daddy, maybe a brother or sister, too. The names and faces of these waiting children burn into my mind: Oliver, Ruth, Luke, Yi, Hannah, Jack, Luna, Hosanna…..each one of them wondering, Who will be my mama or dada? Our daughter Elsa used to be one of those children. She now has a family and a community who adores her—which is what all children are worthy of. It’s just that simple: every child deserves a loving family. Period.
Hugh and I are beginning the process of adopting again, another child from China with Down syndrome. It’s easy to question, Why? We already have 7 kids, we’ve already got two with Ds, we’ve already adopted from China. It’s easy to move on with our life, as full as it is, and be satisfied with all the blessings we have. It’s easy to say, Well, it’s someone else’s turn now, we’ve done our part. But what is not easy to do is look away from the faces of those children who still wait. Although there are most certainly unknowns, we already know a bit about what to expect with adoption and having a child with special needs. So we asked ourselves, Do we have a little more room for one more? A little more room in our home, in our lives, in our hearts? A little more room for a child who needs a family to call his or her own? We knew the answer was Yes.
And now, we need help. From you: our family, friends, neighbors, church, community. The adoption process is not simple and it is not cheap. The paperwork part is extensive, but those of you who know me well know that I am pretty organized. The latest estimates on cost for adopting from China range from about $33,000-$44,000. We’re starting off with a fundraiser later this month (details below), and we would be most grateful for your support. We need your help in bringing home a child and giving him or her the opportunity to love and be loved and grow and blossom, just like Elsa has.
Thank you to each one of you for continuing to support and love our family, in all different ways, and we ask you to pray for our journey. We would not be able to do this without you! We’ll keep you posted along the way, and we look forward to the day when you all get to meet the latest addition to the Berckmueller family!
Berckmueller Family Adoption 