[SisterBear]

Did you use a Christian agency? I am really conflicted about this. I would like to think that an agency is praying about my case and makes decisions based on God's leading. I would like to think we have a special bond based on our beliefs. However, I haven't found a Christian agency I am in love with (adopting out of Guatemala). Do you think it matters? If so, why? If not, why not?

I'm new here and know you cannot discuss agencies, so please email me if you have a Christian agency (or other) that you love!

Thanks, L

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

I did not use a Christian Agency. As it turns out, the people I work with at my agency are Christians. We talk often how God will bring my child home to me.

Just because an agency is not registered as Christian, does not mean that the people working there do not believe in God.

Kay

[blessedbybug]

We did not use a Christian agency even though one was readily available to us. We made the decision based on our best interests and trusted God to take care of it. And boy did HE!!!!! We prayed that God would send us a SW who would paint us for who we are, not the religious fanatics (we are both clergy) that society sometimes paints. Who know who he sent? The ONLY Christian SW working in the agency, the adopted daughter of Columbian missionaries. It was amazing how HE works. No one in the agency knew of her faith at that time as she was fairly new there. So I say go with what works best for you...God will take care of the rest. After all, he could be leading you there...

[SisterBear]

Blessedbybug,

You are so right. I know God will take care of all the details regardless. We will continue praying about the direction God will take us...

Thanks, L

[lotterino]

Have you asked this question on the Guatemala forum? You would probably get a lot more answers for agencies. I'll PM you the one we used.

[coachmom]

We used an agency that has a Christian woman that runs it. It was the most awesome experience!!!
I usually am on the Guat forum but browse over here now and then...

[mj77]

I am always skeptical of who really is behind a "Christian" agency or business of any kind. Other experiences of working with "Christian" companies, one or two might be believers and the rest just agree with their motto etc.. I have been too hurt giving business to a co. just based on them stateing they are a Christian company--and there really are good ones out there, don't get me wrong.

I agree that God can and will bring the right people in your life. I had this similar dillema in concidering sending my son to public school or a Christian private school. But just like when we concidered which adoption path to take, we remember that we are called to be a light to others.

It shouldn't be so much how we might be blessed by others, but how we might be a blessing, and our journey a testimony to them as well.

Blessings,
MJ

[lmvsmom]

Excellent points, MJ!! I couldn't agree with you more.

[lisa in venice]

I think what is most important is that you find adoption professionals that share your core ethical beliefs. Three of the BEST adoption attorneys I know are Practicing Jews yet they have a very high % of Christian clients because of how thoughtful, careful, considerate and ethical they are. I think you need to look at the day to day operations, the philosophy and practice of whoever you choose and the one who behave in a manner that reflects your moral and ethical values no matter whether they have "Christian" in theirname. I have seen non-sectarian professionals behaving in a manner that I would consider "Christian" and "Christian" professionalsbehaving in a manner that could never be described as "Christ-like"

lisa

[lovebeingmom2006]

We used a Christian Agency for our domestic adoption. The agency was own by a church and all the workers and foster parents were christian.

[Poleczech]

We did not chose a Christian agency, because none of the ones that were near that we checked on would accept us as adoptive parents because they said we were too "old." I am now 40 and my DH is 47 (I was 38 and DH was 45 when we originally started looking for an agency.) They all have an artibrary age cut off without considering any other factors that go into making a parent.

But, because we used an out of state agency, we still had to have an in-state homestudy, and we did use a Catholic agency for that. They were willing to do our homestudy ... go figure!