September Monthly Update

A Note from our Executive Director
Dear America World families in the Russia program,

The Board of Directors of AWAA and myself realize that the past few months have been an extremely stressful time in your adoption journeys and wanted to express our heartfelt understanding of how difficult the waiting and uncertainty must be for you. For those of you who are awaiting referrals or your first or second trip to Russia, please know that the Eastern Europe staff and the entire office pray regularly for the situation in Russia and as we are aware for things specific to your adoption journey or lives. For those families who recently signed onto the program and are wondering if this was the right decision we pray that God will convict your hearts and give you peace about and through your adoption journeys. We are encouraged by recent events in Russia and some movement for AW families. The Eastern Europe staff will write more about that. The first and last verses of Psalm 27 say "The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid (vs1)? Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (vs.14)". We will continue to pray for you and your adoption journeys that our Lord will be your stonghold as you wait on His timing. God bless each of you.

In His service,
Susan Maines
Executive Director

Update
As summer turned to fall this month, many adoptive families were concerned about the situation in Russia. It seemed that it was constantly bad news. Would there be a moratorium? Will agencies ever be reaccredited? Towards the end of the month there have been glimmers of hope. These questions were positively answered. While initially America World was unsure of the Ministry of Education's position in such sensitive issues, they played key roles in supressing a moratorium and refuting allegations against accredited agencies. The Ministry of Education and the Council on Accreditation responded specifically to General Prosecutor Fridinsky's allegations by re-accrediting 4 agencies and outlining in detail in a report to the General Prosecutor that the allegations of illegal accreditation were unfounded. Praise the Lord for their advocacy on behalf of agencies, families and the orphans of Russia! While no actual timelines have been given for the receipt of final accreditations for our other agencies, we are trusting that the Ministry of Education will continue to act as an advocate for orphans and adoptive families. We also received several referrals despite uncertain times- a reminder that God is still working and is still the giver of priceless gifts. Please continue to keep the waiting families in your prayers.