Pregnancy and Adoption Resources

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 EmbryoAdoption.org Adds More Web Videos to Raise Awareness About Family-Building Through Embryo Adoption and Donation

FULLERTON, Calif. – (March 25, 2011) – To raise awareness about the relatively new process of human embryo adoption and donation, the one-stop informational Web site EmbryoAdoption.org launched three new Web videos.

The first video, “A True Story of Embryo Donation & Adoption,” reveals a compelling story of two families brought together by their common desire to become parents.  Two additional videos share embryo donation and adoption testimonials from couples that struggled with infertility and found hope in the embryo donation and adoption process.

“There are just so many couples that just don’t know what to do with their embryos,” says embryo donor Jennifer Spohr, as she tells her story in the first video.  “They have many frozen [embryos] and if they don’t do something, they’re going to stay frozen forever.”

Hundreds of thousands of frozen human embryos in the United States alone remain in storage and in limbo, while couples grapple with the difficult decision of what to do with their remaining embryos after completing their family building efforts.  As couples weigh their options, many learn about embryo adoption and donation through the site’s fact sheets, testimonials, adoption stories, news archive, service providers and much more.  In fact, site traffic amounts to about 5000 visitors per month.

In addition to the three new Web videos posted this year, EmbryoAdoption.org features eight videos posted in past years.  Among these videos, visitors to the site will find perspectives from the medical community, background about where frozen embryos come from, and footage of special moments in the lives of children born through embryo adoption.

These videos also have an active viewership throughout the Internet. Users of video viewing sites such as YouTube, Tangle and UVouch have accounted for more than 50,000 views over the past twelve months.

EmbryoAdoption.org is maintained by Nightlight ^® Christian Adoptions as part of its Embryo Donation and Adoption Awareness Campaign.  Nightlight provides adoption services through the Snowflakes^® Frozen Embryo Adoption program (Snowflakes).  Snowflakes started in 1997 as the only organization of its kind to facilitate the donation and adoption of frozen embryos for family building.

Nightlight’s Embryo Donation and Adoption Awareness Campaign is supported by grant number 5 EAAPA081009-02-00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department.

Contact:   Leisa Brug Kline, (949) 413-4447 or leisabrug@aol.com

1.      I’m thankful that Jesus Christ adopted me into His kingdom when I was nine years old.
2.      I’m thankful that I was raised in an intact, two-parent household by my natural parents. Part of my motivation and endurance as it relates to my work with New Beginnings comes from the belief that every child deserves to have what I had. Loving grandparents, loving parents, and a loving family. No…they weren’t perfect and I’ve never said they were. But, they were THERE.
3.      I’m thankful that Mom and Dad were married for over 51 years and that only death could separate them. Did they ever fight? You can’t imagine–and I smile when saying that. But, they taught us that you work things out and grow through the process.
4.      I’m thankful that Dad and Mom stood up for their three kids when we messed up. And, when we did, “it was our fault.” We were never allowed to blame someone else, ask for a handout from the government or whine about life being unfair.
5.     I’m thankful for two beautiful daughters and two wonderful grand-children…all the byproduct of adoption.
6.     I’m thankful for the pastors, men of God, who have stepped on my toes through the years. They’re simply doing their job.
7.     I’m thankful a great team of workers at New Beginnings. Everyone truly cares about birth mothers, babies and the value of human life.
8.     I’m thankful for the models of manhood that I witnessed in my grandfathers, father and uncles. They were/are honest, hard-working and God-fearing.
9.     I’m thankful that New Beginnings is supported by so many great people who care about the values of family, human life and caring for others.
10.     I’m thankful, in advance, for someone who is listening to God’s voice and who will help bless the adoption ministry of New Beginnings…and others like us in America.

Tom Velie, LMSW

President

     A very young child is abandoned by his or her parents. Why? Perhaps they have several other children and there is no room for one more child in their home. Perhaps a young mother living in poverty believes that by sacrificing her own emotions, her baby will at least receive food and protection…and will not become another statistic on the street.

     The child is placed into an orphanage that sustains itself on small donations and the goodness of others. The donors feel good about their giving, and the young child is fed, clothed and cared for with “the hope” that something better will happen in life.

     What is the end result when individuals, systems and governments forget that a child’s sense of time is so much different than an adults sense of time? To a seven year old child, seven years is a lifetime. What does it feel like to reach the age of fourteen and to have never met your parents? What does it feel like to reach those teenage years…the years when social relationships, soccer games, and parties are the norm to some of us…and to know that you’ll soon be living on the street and begging…or selling yourself…to live? Can you imagine the feelings? I can’t.

     International adoption offers hope to the children. Yes, there area handful of tragic stories related to international adoption that instantly become fodder for news organizations. Yet all the while, the same organizations ignore the hundreds of thousands of children whose lives have been forever changed for the good by international adoption. These children have more than hope…they have success…they have moms and dads…they have children of their own…they have fulfilling jobs…and some return the favor to the children who are left behind.

     But why are they left behind? When there are hundreds of thousands (actually, the number is estimated at 139 million) orphans in the world, and when birth parents are not searching for them, and when no one really cares about them, then why do the systems and governments seem so determined to forever incarcerate the children in the grave of hopelessness? Is is so someone can continue raising funds to “support the homeless?” Is it so some huge, worldwide non-profit organization can portray itself as the savior of the masses of children from trafficking. Yes, trafficking is the word sometimes used to portray adoption agencies and adoptive parents as the vultures who will swoop in to prey on the innocent.

    But who is actually “preying” on the innocent? Who is shutting down the systems and providing nothing but a future of hopelessness to orphans around the world.

     Please call your U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask “Why are the numbers of children being adopted internationally dropping so rapidly? And…what are you going to do about it?”

     The link (very short article) highlights the long-term problem with children being left in orphanages in Nepal. Nepali children “age out” of the orphanages around 14 years of age and many are prostituted in some form. I haven’t heard the 20,000 figure related to the number of girls involved in the sex trade in Kathmandu, but I do know that the men on our last trip to Nepal were offered that type of thing many times each day.

http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2010/09/06/sex-trafficking-in-nepal-drags-in-more-victims/

While some church organizations waiver on the issue of abortion, we commend the ALJC and its General Superintendent, Pastor Robert Martin, for proclaiming that all human life is sacred in their Articles of Faith. By taking a firm stand on the value of every human life, the ALJC movement sets itself apart in Christiandom.

Have you considered the fact that the Lord refers to King David being a man “after God’s own heart,” in relation to the fact that David believed that human life was absolutely sacred in God’s eyes? (Psalm 139).

Where do  you stand? Are you afraid of stating that “life begins at the moment of conception?” Think about it…

Cori and Shaina were adopted from South Korea over 20 years ago, and I’ve never witnessed a live human birth. Well…I’m not sure that I’d want to. . However, as President of New Beginnings, our female social workers tell us story after story about the humbling beauty of the birth process. Many allusions and referrals are made to the “sanctity” of the moment and the awesome wonder of birth. 

Come to think of it, I’ve never heard an atheist rejoice over the same experience, but I’m certain that some could put the glory of human birth into some sort of scientific (so called) babble. Go for it! I’ll stick with the divinely inspired and created version of things. 

And…for company, I’ll stick with Mr. Einstein. Birthmothers, who choose life and then are strong enough to choose God’s plan for children–the two-parent family, hats off to you!

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a

miracle. The other is as if everything is” Albert Einsten.

Have you heard about PREP4YOUTH?

PREP4YOUTH is the New Beginning’s combined training program which includes the Decisions, Choices and Options curriculum and the Genesis curriculum. This package provides a broad range of materials for young people who are searching for answers about the moral challenges of this day. And…for the young person who may have found themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation, hope and help is on the way.

Call Rachel or Tom at 662-842-6752 for more information.

        The challenge is to not be complacent. On Sunday, January 17^th Pro-Life Believers in America will celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. How will you celebrate this day?

      Aaron is one of the neatest 15-year old boys around. Dark hair and olive skinned, highly intelligent, active in his church youth group and the pride of his godly parents and grand-parents, he embodies “life” and happiness. Aaron’s mother came within ONE HOUR of aborting his life. One hour before her scheduled abortion, she told her mother of her plans. Her mother and a caring and loving pastor’s wife pleaded with her to call New Beginnings. She listened, she humbled herself to those who truly love her and she came. Aaron lives, because one mother cared and because the pastor’s wife knew about New Beginnings. Will you celebrate with Aaron this Sunday?

      This special day comes at a crucial time for the Pro-Life Movement in America.  Our current President has stated that society “shouldn’t punish a birthmother with a child.”  This same warped thinking is being used to make abortion even more available, as Pro-Life non-profits (just like New Beginnings that you are such a vital part of) struggle to make budget ends meet. being reduced by those who have no place for God and his purpose for mankind. How will you celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday?

     You can decide to celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday by going to www.NewBeginningsAdoptions.org and clicking on the “Donate Now” link. By taking this simple action, and by making a generous, secure, online gift, more Aarons will have an opportunity to experience life. Celebrate by joining with other Believers who are taking this simple action.

    Your personal, church or organizational gift of $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25 will be designated to reaching more birthmothers with hope. God will multiply every gift for His glory.

     After you have given, please celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday by also:

• calling your Pastor and asking him to share this information on Sunday,
• forwarding this message to your friends and ask them to celebrate with you and Aaron, and
• praying for birthmothers–almost 3,800 “little Aarons” will lose their life in America today while some do nothing.

        New Beginnings has battled against this evil toward children for over 25 years.  By offering crisis pregnancy counseling (24/7 by Debbie and Renae), by offering professional Christ-centered adoption services, and now through birthmother parenting education New Beginnings is changing lives. Because you helped today, you can rejoice with us as we celebrate this Sunday.

NEW BEGINNINGS ADOPTION & FAMILY SERVICES

Tupelo, Mississippi

2009 SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

Domestic Adoptions

New Beginning’s domestic adoption program is one of the foundations of our ministry to women in crisis pregnancy.  With the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the number of birthmothers opting to carry their pregnancy to term has decreased dramatically.  Coupled with the greater acceptance of single parenting, the number of single pregnant women deciding to carry their child to term AND to place their child for adoption has dropped to less than 1%.  The challenge for New Beginnings is to make sure that women with an unplanned pregnancy know the truth of what confidential or open adoption (the level of confidentiality or openness is entirely the birthmother’s choice) has to offer them and their expected child.  Debbie Velie (Domestic Program Director, LBSW) and Renae Hellen (LBSW), our birthmother counselors, have done a very effective job of counseling with women and supporting them even when they do not choose adoption.

Unfortunately for honest birthmothers and adoptive families, the world of domestic adoptions has changed dramatically over the last 10 years.  Where the emphasis used to be on the counseling of birthmothers to make good decisions for their expected child, the field is now dominated by for-profit, non-licensed adoption facilitators.  These organizations typically charge $20,000 or more just to connect a family with a birthmother.  The revenues generated enable them to have a very attractive presence on the internet and to advertise in newspapers and yellow pages throughout the country.  Frequently birthmothers seeing these ads have no idea where the facilitator is geographically located and personal counseling is often waived in favor or receiving financial assistance with their pregnancy expenses.

We have placed 16 children for adoption through our domestic program thus far in 2008 and are currently working with six birthmothers who are making an adoption plan for their expected child.  This compares with the placement of 17 children in 2008, but there are still a few days left in December!

Since some families choose to adopt independently through adoption attorneys without the benefit of pre- or post-adoption services, we also provide homestudies in Mississippi for these families at a very reasonable cost.  In addition to increased outreach to churches, hospital social workers, school counselors and partnering with other Christian agencies around the country, we are seeking to build our domestic adoption program through advertising that targets the most vulnerable, pregnant birthmothers.

International Adoptions

We have experienced both successes and disappointments with our international adoption program this year.

Hague Accreditation: It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of attaining accreditation under the Hague Inter-Country Adoption Act.  New Beginnings achieved 2-year temporary Accreditation in April 2008 and will finalize its 5-year Accreditation process in January 2010. This has been a long, arduous and expensive process.  But without it, we would be crippled in our efforts to reach out to the orphaned children of the world with the hope of permanent families.  Marcus Davenport (International Program Director) has become our resident expert “on all things Hague,” and our President, Tom Velie (LMSW) is an evaluator for the Council on Accreditation for site visits for other agencies.  Our current Hague Accreditation does not expire until April 2010 so we are very comfortable with achieving our 5-year Accreditation in plenty of time.  It is significant to note that several agencies which were denied Hague Accreditation have closed their doors.  Even for countries which have not implemented the Hague Treaty, the gold standard for quality of services is Hague Accreditation by the Council on Accreditation.  In addition, New Beginnings has the largest and best qualified team of Hague-qualified social workers in Mississippi. We are very thankful for the Lord’s help in achieving this level of professionalism.

Nepal Registration:   Twenty-five American adoption agencies are registered in the country of Nepal and New Beginnings is thankful to be one of these agencies. Ten adoptive family dossiers are on file with the Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare in Kathmandu, Nepal awaiting their matches with children. Ten more families are in the process of completing their dossiers for 2010. Unfortunately, political unrest in Nepal has delayed the administrative process of matching the children in Nepal, but we are told that a new minister is now in place and that the process may proceed more smoothly.

Our Nepali Humanitarian Service Coordinator, Mr. Bobby Adhikari, through generous donations made by a wonderful Christian family, and through the “New Beginnings of Nepal” monthly partnership program donors, opened an orphan home for 10 children in June 2009. What a great testimony this is to the vision of the New Beginnings Founders, Stephen and Evelyn Drury, and to the dedication of “Brother Bobby.”

Poland:  New Beginnings is now licensed with the Polish government to provide adoptive services in Poland and is accepting applications for this program. We have hired our Polish Representative and adoptive families can have confidence that their adoption process will proceed smoothly. This program is ideal for the adoptive family that is interested in adopting children over the age of five (some younger children may be available in sibling groups).

Other countries: New Beginnings is in the process of investigating and possibly opening other country programs in several countries. Information will be provided on this website when details are finalized. We are carefully considering other opportunities to reach out to children in orphanages in other parts of the world, but do not want to duplicate already successful programs by our partner agencies.

Summary: It is difficult to write such a short summary of the activities of our agency for an entire year.  Our staff has done a remarkable job under very trying circumstances and I am proud of each of them.  Some are well known to our clients and some work behind the scenes.  But each has made a contribution to our mission.

Please join us in praying for increased activity in 2010 and the opportunity for more children to find their permanent homes. Every Child Deserves a Forever Family.

The following article was taken from Fox News on www.foxnews.com.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD DIRECTOR QUITS AFTER WATCHING ABORTION ON ULTRASOUND

The former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in southeast Texas says she had a “change of heart” after watching an abortion last month — and she quit her job and joined a pro-life group in praying outside the facility.

Abby Johnson, 29, used to escort women from their cars to the clinic in the eight years she volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas. But she says she knew it was time to leave after she watched a fetus “crumple” as it was vacuumed out of a patient’s uterus in September.

‘When I was working at Planned Parenthood I was extremely pro-choice,” Johnson told FoxNews.com. But after seeing the internal workings of the procedure for the first time on an ultrasound monitor, “I would say there was a definite conversion in my heart … a spiritual conversion.”

Johnson said she became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and $695.

“Every meeting that we had was, ‘We don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough money — we’ve got to keep these abortions coming,’” Johnson told FoxNews.com. “It’s a very lucrative business and that’s why they want to increase numbers.”

A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood told FoxNews.com that it offers a range of services at it 850 health centers nationwide, providing pregnancy tests, vaccinations and women’s health services, “including wellness exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, and STD testing and treatment.”

“Planned Parenthood’s focus is on prevention,” wrote Diane Quest, the group’s National Media Director. “Nationwide, more than 90% of the health care Planned Parenthood affiliates provide is preventive in nature,” explaining that a “core component the organization’s mission is to help women plan healthy pregnancies and prevent unintended pregnancies.”

But Johnson said her bosses told her to change her “priorities” and focus on abortions, which she said made money for the office at a time when the recession has left them hurting.

“For them there’s not a lot of money in education,” she said. “There’s as not as much money in family planning as there is abortion.”

Without a doctor in residence, she said, her clinic offered abortions only two days a month, but the doctor could perform 30 to 40 procedures on each day he was there. Johnson estimated that each abortion could net the branch about $350, adding up to more than $10,000 a month.

“The majority of the money was going to the facility,” she said.

Johnson said she never got any orders to increase profits in e-mails or letters, and had no way to prove her allegations about practices at the Bryan branch. She told FoxNews.com that pressure came in personal interactions with her regional manager from the larger Houston office.

But she said she got involved with the clinic “to help women and … [do] the right thing,” and the idea of raking in cash seemed to go against what she felt was the mission of the 93-year-old organization.

“Ideally my goal as the facility’s director is that your abortion numbers don’t increase,” because “you’re providing so much family planning and so much education that there is not a demand for abortion services.

“But that was not their goal,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood refused to answer questions about Johnson’s accusations, but released a statement noting that a district court had issued a temporary restraining order against the former branch director and against the Coalition for Life, an anti-abortion group with which Johnson is now affiliated.

“We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary,” said spokeswoman Rochelle Tafolla.

It is unclear what made Planned Parenthood seek the restraining order. Johnson said she did not intend to release any sensitive information about her former patients at the clinic.

A hearing is set for Nov. 10 to determine whether a judge will order an injunction against Johnson and the Coalition for Life, which has led protests outside the clinic and joined her in a prayer vigil there last month.

Johnson hasn’t found a job since she quit on Oct. 6, but she said she’s enjoying the time off to be with her 3-year-old daughter.

“It’s been great just to spend some time at home and get a break,” she said.

Just wondering…

If Jesus, the Christ, died on Calvary for “the sins of the whole world,” as the Bible tells us. And, if that amazing death and it’s life-giving awe applies to every man that will ever be born. And, if He knows all about each and every one of us before we are born (Psalms 139).

Then…He died for the unborn child.

Now…if the even unborn child is worthy of the death of the Jesus…do you suppose that life just might be priceless…and worthy of life?

Just wondering…