2013: Our Eyes Are On God

On Friday morning, we read in the news what we had been fearing for days: Vladimir Putin signed the Russian Adoption Ban into law.

So what does this mean to Ana, to Tim, and to the rest of our family? The short answer is, we simply do not know. We are staying in close contact with our adoption agency and relying on their expertise to work through these issues and guide us as to our next steps. What a caring and professional team they are. 

Already, there's a glimmer of hope for children with special physical needs. One Russian lawmaker has proposed an amendment to the bill that would allow these adoptions to move forward. Our hope, of course, is that the way would be open for any child in a Russian orphanage to find a home, wherever that home may be. 

As we wait for the politicians to work through these issues, I'm comforted by the words that our dear friend Jane Stuart Smith sent to us in a Christmas card:

Things are not as they appear to be, as we see them from our limited point of view. It is easy in our troubled world to lose track of the truth that God is in control. 

Yesterday, we sat in a little country church as the pastor opened these words:

But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! (Psalm 141:8). 

The outcome is in God's hands. In the end, it will not be determined by the politician's pen. We don't claim to know what He is doing or why. But we are trusting in Him. History is filled with stories of miraculous intervention - causes that seemed doomed until God rolled in with a sudden, unexpected deliverance. Please do not give up hope. Continue to pray for the defenseless in Russia.

Savior, He can move the mountains. 

Our God is mighty to save,

He is might to save.

Don't Slow Down Yet

In the meantime, I'm still running and praying. I've got no intention of slowing down. My sights are set on a trail marathon in March. My first race as a member of the RODS Racing Team. If you're able to help donate towards that race, please visit my team page. All of the money raised at this race will go to help orphans through Reece's Rainbow. You can't imagine how kicking in even a few cents per mile will encourage everyone working to help these kids. It's not time to slow down yet.

Putin: Banning Adoptions Is "Not So Simple"

According to today's Moscow Times, Vladimir Putin suggested that - even if the Russian adoption ban becomes law - it may take at least a year for the ban to take force.

Referring to the Russia-US Adoption Agreement that went into effect in November, Putin stated, "The agreement says that if one country decides to quit, it must notify the other side a year in advance. [Undoing that agreement ] is not so simple."

The bill is expected to be approved on Friday, and will then go to Putin for his signature.

Based on what we are hearing, the Russian Minister of Education - among others - has taken a stand against the bill. An online petition opposing the bill garnered over 100,000 signatures from Russian citizens.

Here is the entire text from the Moscow Times article: Putin Hints He Can't Ban U.S. Adoptions

Proposed Russian Adoption Ban

As many of you know, my wife and I are in the process of adopting two orphans from Russia. You may also have heard that the Russian Parliament voted - for a second time - to ban adoptions for American families. This ban is not yet law, but the vote does not bode well for Russian orphans.

What does this vote mean for us, for Ana and Tim, and for the many families now in the process of adoption? We simply don't know yet. It is certainly a call to prayer. This vote is the result of long-standing tensions between  Russia and the United States. Sadly, it is the orphans who will pay the heaviest price if the ban ever becomes law.

We know that our God holds the hearts of all men in His hands. He sits enthroned over every man and government. Please begin to pray that He will intervene on behalf of these children and remove this latest obstacle. Please pray also that God will grant peace and patience to every family affected by this vote.

Here is a helpful summary of the situation, as provided by our adoption agency:

This is a political move in direct retaliation to President Obama’s signing of the the Magnitsky Act on December 14.  The Magnitsky Act imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia ... a third reading of the ban is expected to occur on Friday.  After that, the Council of Federation plans to review it on December 26.  Finally, it goes to President Putin for signature.  He can approve it as written (which we don’t have a copy of).  He can refuse it outright.  He can send it back for revisions. 

This brings to the forefront the complaints from Russia that a total of 19 Russian children have died in the hands of adoptive American parents.  Russian has accused the US courts of imposing light sentences in these cases.  If this ban is signed in its current form, it will invalidate the bilateral treaty which the US and Russia have recently signed and implemented. 

Not all Russian officials agree with this.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a stand against the ban citing the welfare of the orphans who will be denied families.  We have no indication whether special needs adoptions will be considered different from regular adoptions. This is occurring within a week of the shut down for Russia’s holidays.  Government offices won’t start reopening until January 9, 2013 after the celebration of Orthodox Christmas.  Consequently, we don’t expect to have specific answers for some time.   

Once again, we want to stress that this is not law, and many within Russia are opposed to the ban. But we do ask that you would join us in prayer that this obstacle would be removed, and that God would take up the cause of these orphans.

If you would like more information on this issue, here is a helpful article:

Adequate or faulty? Russian lawmakers vote for US adoption ban amid criticism

Team Ilene. These People Don't Know When to Quit.

Back in September, I wrote about Noah Galloway and his friend Ilene. Noah is the Iraq vet who lost an arm and a leg to an IED. In spite of his injuries, Noah trains like a machine.

This is what determination looks like.

Noah and his friend Ilene (who has brittle bone disease) trained for the Tough Mudder competition in September, but that event was cancelled before they could hit the course. 

Well, these two don't know when to quit. So this past weekend, they conquered the Tough Mudder course in Sarasota, Florida. 

Give my previous post on this event a read, and then take a fresh look at your own obstacles.

RODS Racing

It's official: I'm the newest member of the RODS Racing Team.

Ironman Brady Murray founded RODS to help orphans with Down Syndrome find a home. The athletes of RODS run everything from 5Ks to full Ironman races in order to help fund these adoptions.

In most cases all of the RODS athletes race for a single orphan. When that adoption is fully funded, they move on to the next. They've had life changing success; I'm honored to be a part of this organization and ready to run my heart out. My first scheduled race for 2013 is the Instant Classic Trail Marathon. 

Through a special arrangement with the RODS Team, I'll be running to support Ana and Tim until their adoption is fully funded.Older orphans like Ana and Tim are in a  particularly dangerous situation. At sixteen years old, they will have to leave their orphanage. With no family, no social safety net, and the stigma of having been raised in an orphanage, a tragically high percentage of these young people turn to crime or suicide. In some cases, the only thing standing between them and a family is money: it typically costs $35,000 for a family to adopt a child internationally.

RODS works hand in hand with Reece's Rainbow to provide adoption grants. I first learned about RODS through my association with Reece's, so this just seemed a natural fit. Once Ana and Tim are home, I'll keep running until my legs crumble. There are just so many beautiful, needy kids waiting to bless a family. And if pounding the pavement will help to get them there, then let's keep moving!