Guest Author - Casey Manes

International adoption is a current event increasingly on the rise in America. There are a number of factors that play into this phenomenon. Greater accessibility to funds for adoption, increasing access to countries offering children for adoption, and the availability and speed of infant adoption as compared to domestic adoption in America. More frequently, couples in America are waiting longer to get married and are pushing back starting families well into their thirties. An increasing number of couples are finding they cannot get pregnant, and seek out alternatives for filling the spot in their homes and hearts for a baby.

The international arena for adoption is gaining momentum. There are certain countries with orphanages overflowing with children waiting for a home. The adoption agencies, information, advocacy and other resources are endless for people interested in finding a child overseas, and the number of people willing to adopt is not limited to infertile couples.

Notably, there are a growing number of families with biological children of their own seeking out helping orphans in need from overseas. The motives of these families vary, but a common thread is a desire to help another human being in need and to provide for a child out of their own abundance. Steven Curtis Chapman, an Evangelistic Christian music artist, has been a leader in the area of international adoption. He and his wife have three biological children, and out of the wealth he has accumulated through his notoriety as a musician, this couple has not only adopted three children internationally—but they have also started funding a grant for other couples desiring to adopt. Another young couple I met recently from Kentucky has adopted four Chinese girls. They are a delightful crew of smiling glee that have quickly adapted to American life and culture.

Another twist to this arena is the college students and professionals that travel overseas to commit months, and sometimes years, of their lives volunteering at orphan institutions. Leah, an English teacher from Florida, recently took a year of leave from her job in education in order to serve as a volunteer at an international orphanage. While there, Leah has been a foster mother to a young toddler and has nurtured the many babies and toddlers craving attention and love.

International adoption numbers in America promise to increase, as last year alone, a rough estimate of about 20,000 international orphans were given a new home and family in America. These statistics are encouraging, as many international orphans are still waiting for their new mom and dad to find them.

There are many ways to get involved with helping a child in need overseas, and taking part in this international adoption trend. A few ideas:

-Financially support a family trying to adopt or an organization that aids orphans- such as www.compassion.org or www.worldvision.org

-Go online to www.helpinghand.org and read about some orphans who need a home-Search online and find an orphanage website, click on their wish list and send them some items they require.