As I stare out our Beijing hotel window, I think about the way that international adoption has changed over the past 5 years. 

The wait times have gotten much longer for adoptive families. 
The number of healthy younger children available for adoption has decreased. 
The number of older children or children with special needs have increased.

Crossroads as an agency is responding to these changes by participating in the Journey of Hope program.  This program allows us to work with 3 specific orphanages.  In a few days, we get to meet 37 kids from those orphanages and we will be given 6 months to find homes for as many of the kids as possible.

Today our trip to China began with a visit to the CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption).  Thanks to all the families who sent me pictures and write-ups about your kids!  We were able to meet with the Executive Director and the Deputy Director of the CCCWA, along with staff from all 8 departments.  It was quite an honor to brag about what great adoptive families we have!

I have included some pictures of Joan Clarkson, Crossroads Executive Director, myself, Jill Grasley, Assistant Director, and Tu, our Chinese liasion, with CCCWA staff.

 

Jill Grasley