Angels from Abroad Seminar

Natasha giving tips and advice on hosting a child from Russia

This weekend our host families participated in our Angels Seminar.  They learned about the adoption process, Russian culture, how to get prepared, what to expect from the experience, and what fun we plan to have with the Angels! 

We were blessed with one young woman adopted through Buckner’s Russia program speaking about her experiences.  She spoke to the families about life in the orphanage, being adopted with her older brother, and her family adopted two siblings through the Angels program later. We also had a former Angel host family come and share their experience with hosting and adopting two children over the past few years. 

Not only did the families get to go over the events and receive some education on the program, they bonded with each other.  It is so neat to hear the families talk about getting the rooms ready for their Angels.  “I’m almost done painting her room,” one host mother excitedly reported.  Another host mother described how she has been shopping at Russian markets to get foods and recipes that will be familiar and comforting to her Angels. 

How amazing it is to see the Lord preparing the hearts and homes of those willing to provide for the Angels for the weeks they will be in Texas.  He is good and we can’t wait to see what all He has planned for them!

Matching Week!

This is a very important week for the Angels from Abroad program.  This week our families are being matched with their Angels!  They will be learning all about the child they will spend time loving and caring for during their time here in the US. 

Right now we have 17 beautiful children preparing to walk off the plane at DFW airport and walk into the arms of their host families.  We have ten boys and seven girls coming. Also within our group, we have two sets of siblings!  Their interests include: singing, dancing, playing sports, helping others, and creating art.

As the children are no doubt day dreaming right now about what the next month’s time will bring, the host families are too. The families will also spend time getting to know each other this week.  July 23^rd and July 24^th will be two days full of education, discussion, group bonding, and hearing about the Angels experience from those who have walked the same journey before!

We can’t describe how excited we are that the Angels will be here before we know it. The countdown is on for when they will arrive! 

Please keep the Angels, Host Families, and staff in your prayers this week.

Prayers for:

• Families- as they receive the information and picture of the child they will be hosting
• Families- preparing their homes for each Angel’s arrival
• Angels- as their hearts are being prepared for the love of each family
• For feelings of any anxiousness to be replaced with peace for Angels and Host Families
• For Russian staff working to prepare for the trip to the US and to leave their families behind in Russia 
• For the Buckner/Dillon staff preparing for the weeks ahead
• For the Angels education seminar taking place this Friday and Saturday for Host Families 

The Angels Are Coming!

It’s hard to believe the Angels will be here soon.  We have a wonderful group of children getting geared up to make their way to Dallas.  I can’t help but wonder what is going through their minds.  Do they realize how much they are being prayed for? Do they realize how they are about to be showered with love? Do they realize the Lord is going to use them in mighty ways while they are here?  Then I think about the families that are preparing to host these precious children. I wonder if they realize how much their hearts will grow in ways they never imagined.  It’s exciting to think about all that is before us in the months ahead!

 Plans are being put in place, events are being scheduled, and we are all working diligently to get things in order for the two weeks the children will be here.  The 17 Angels will be here July 30^th-August 16^th.  If you would like to be involved in this year’s program, please email me at bbrinkmeyer@buckner.org

• The Angels arrive with only the clothes on their backs.  Host families are asked to provide all the clothing they will need while here. Are you able to donate a gift card to help families provide clothing to a child? 
•  Do you speak Russian and are willing to volunteer translating during our events?
•  Would you be willing to put Angels from Abroad on your church’s, Sunday School Group’s, or personal prayer list? 

 There are many ways to be involved. Please let us know if you are willing to donate your time, services, or gifts.  The children are ready to receive those blessings!

Informational Meeting at Lake Pointe Church- Cancelled

The Informational Meeting at Lake Pointe Church has been cancelled.  If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the program, please contact me.  bbrinkmeyer@buckner.org or (214)-906-4547. 

We continue to accept applications for host families at this time and look forward to a great Angel’s program this August!  Please continue to keep all the children and staff in Russia in prayer as we proceed with plans for this summer.

April Informational Meeting

The date has been set for the next informational meeting for this year’s Angels from Abroad.  If you are interested in hosting or getting involved in other ways, please plan to attend. Details are below.

What- Angels from Abroad Informational Meeting
Where- Buckner Adoption Office (5200 South Buckner Blvd. Dallas, Texas)
When- Tuesday April 6th from 6-8:30 PM
Who- Anyone who is interested in becoming a host family

This is a free event and is open to anyone wanting more information on becoming involved.  Please RSVP to Sharon Hedrick (shedrick@buckner.org).  If you have any questions, please let me know.  bbrinkmeyer@buckner.org or 214-906-4547.

Easter Season Prayers

I’m happy to report we had a great first informational meeting on March 2nd. We had several families in attendance. Tiffany Wilkins shared her story of hosting Angels and her adoption process with Buckner/Dillon. What an amazing story of a family lovingly assembled through this program by the Lord!

If you missed the informational meeting, there’s no need to worry. We are currently planning another informational meeting for the near future. We are also close to getting the Angel’s pictures on this site as well. I was able to see a few pictures recently. Let me just tell you, the children look absolutely precious! I can’t wait to meet them in person and for you to meet them too. Please keep checking this site for updates and dates to mark on your calendars.

It’s hard to believe we are just a few weeks away from celebrating Easter. I once heard an old Indian Proverb that said “It is Love that makes the impossible possible.” Because of Love, a ransom was paid for each and every one of us. Because of Love, death was conquered on Easter morning. Because of Love, we are offered the gift of eternity with Him. Because of Love, the impossible was and is possible!

The One who conquered death is the same One who loves and cares our children in Russia. Will you join me in praying this Easter season for us to see the Lord work in amazing ways once again? Will you join me in praying for the children in Russia that will soon be preparing to come for the hosting program? There are no limits on what He will do this year in the lives of these children. Please join me in praying for them, and for Him to guide you in ways you can be involved. 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

Mark your Calendars!

Welcome to the 2010 Angels from Abroad blog! My name is Beth Brinkmeyer and I will be coordinating the program this year.  I am very excited and looking forward to meeting you, keeping you informed, and sharing the events of this amazing program.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend!

What- Angels from Abroad Informational Meeting
Where- Buckner Adoption Office (5200 South Buckner Blvd. Dallas, Texas)
When- Tuesday March 2^nd from 6-9 PM
Who- Anyone who is interested in becoming a host family

This is a free event and is open to anyone wanting more information on becoming involved.  Please RSVP to Sharon Hedrick (shedrick@buckner.org).  If you have any questions, please let me know.  bbrinkmeyer@buckner.org or 214-906-4547.

The Angels will be here the first two weeks in August. We need all the prayers and support we can get to provide an amazing experience for them, and to let the Lord do some awesome things in the lives of everyone involved!

The Angels Take Off

It was a sad day, as we watched the 10 precious Angels load themselves, their new suitcases and backpacks in to the Buckner van today.  Many tears were shed by Host families and kids.  One little Angel was crying so hard and clinging to his host Papa.  These kids have been provided the vacation of a lifetime.  I am so thankful for every dollar, gift, hug, prayer, etc. given to these kids.  They were already sharing photos of their trip with one another.  I watched one Angel describe in detail every picture in her album, it was so cute!  I would have loved to have understood what she was saying.  From the time the kids arrived until their departure, you see their countenance change after being loved so intentionally and unconditionally.  They are going to have so much to share when they get back to St. Petersburg.                                                        

Good-Bye Swim Party

This evening was our final swim party, hosted by the Shewchuck’s.   The host families met together first at Buckner to talk about departure plans and shared funny stories about their hosting experience. 

At the Shewchuck’s there was a magic show, great food, and lots of time to spend with new and old friends swimming and laughing. With the older Russian adoptees around there is always plenty of joking around and throwing each other in the pool too.  Not a boring moment, that is for sure!   Many of the families (like us) are starting to feel sad about the departure of the kids.  It is an amazing experience to see how at home the kids can become in your family.  If you are reading this blog, please begin or continue to pray for the kids.  We know that God has a good plan for each of them (Jeremiah 29:11).  I’ll end on that note tonight.  Spakoya Noche.

Outdoor Movie Night

I am sad to say that I have no photos from the Outdoor Movie Night.  A great couple from Lake Pointe Church opened their home for an outdoor movie, serving popcorn and delicious homemade ice cream.  It was a real treat for everyone!  Thank you!  The kids did not want to leave!