As millions of children are housed in orphanages around the world, it’s imperative that we ask ourselves, is there a better way? Kristen Lowry, Send Relief’s Consultant for International Orphan Care says, “We cannot adopt our way out of this.” Kristen shares with Lynette Ezell the surprising lessons she and her team at Shelter Yetu in Kenya learned that have now helped them see more than 600 kids reunified with family.

November 12th is Orphans and Widows Sunday. To learn more about how you and your church can meet needs and share Christ with children all over the world, go to SendRelief.org/orphan.

Contact Kristen through the International Orphan Care Interest form.

For this Foster Care Awareness Month episode, Michelle Chitwood joins Lynette Ezell in hosting Fostering Champions Founder Bobby Canipe. After Canipe lost his mother to a heart attack and his father to alcoholism, he and his sister were placed in Virginia’s foster care system. Canipe used this childhood experience to inform his work at Fostering Champions, where staff provide housing, resources and a much-needed steppingstone to children who are aging out of the system and entering the real world.

Learn more about Fostering Champions here.

Find more resources for your foster care and adoption journey at SendRelief.org.

Kelley and Randall Nichols from We Are the ECHO join Lynette this week to unpack the familiar statement, “I could never do what you do.” The Nichols emphasize the vital role of community support and candidly share the enemy’s resistance to caring for vulnerable people.

Find resources for your adoption and foster care journey at SendRelief.org.

The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) is a life-affirming, Christian non-profit dedicated to treating surplus frozen IVF embryos with dignity and finding forever homes for their young lives. NEDC’s Marketing and Development Director Mark Mellinger joins the podcast this week, along with adoptive parents, Josh and Jenn Schouten, to discuss the journey of embryo adoption.

For further information on the ethics of embryo adoption:

https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/what-you-should-know-about-frozen-embryo-adoption/

https://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/20/should-christians-adopt-embryos/

Find more resources for your adoption and foster care journey at SendRelief.org.

Although abuse and childhood adversity filled the early chapters of Kristen Thomas’ life, her trust in Christ and the investment of a caring community has enabled her to write a new story. Be encouraged as Kristen shares with Lynette how God is directing her path and redefining her journey.

Find resources for your adoption and foster care journey at SendRelief.org.

Josh Benton, Vice President at Send Relief, joins Lynette on the podcast this week to share their family’s adoption story and the invaluable role of the local church. Through Family Advocacy Ministry, Josh provides a clear, concise blueprint for ministering to vulnerable children and families.

Here are easy steps to get started:

· Praying diligently and consistently

Get more info at https://www.sendrelief.org/projects/family-advocacy-ministry/

Lindsey Martin joins the podcast again to continue the conversation of prenatal trauma and creating a home that promotes healing. Join Lynette and Lindsey as they discuss small attainable goals to build relationship and felt safety.

Back from our summer sabbatical, host Lynette Ezell and social worker Lindsey Martin discuss prenatal trauma and its potential effects.

Occupational therapist Savannah Alderman joins the podcast this week to discuss proven tools and activities that we can incorporate into everyday living that help children build relationships and trust with their new family unit.

Find more resources for your adoption and foster care journey at SendRelief.org.

Adoption is a lifelong journey of faith, a call that Robbie and Savannah Alderman answered as newlyweds. Despite a world-wide pandemic, the Aldermans trusted the Lord’s timing to bring home their three daughters.

Find resources for your adoption and foster care journey at SendRelief.org.