Albania Adoption Blog

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We are pleased to announce the creation of a new Eastern Europe blog.  We look forward to sharing relevant information on Albania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine, as well as general regional, travel, and adoption education resources.  Please note that the Eastern Europe blog replaces individual country blogs as of this posting.

Posted by Michelle J. Dykema At 10:53:26 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Bethany Christian Services has made the decision to close our Albania adoption program. We have decided to redirect our resources to programs with a greater number of children and families, and more potential for growth. We are so grateful for the children from Albania who now call United States home because of the many families who have been committed to the children of Albania.

Posted by LaDawn G. Penner At 12:03:39 PM Location | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

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Orthodox Easter                                

April 19 marks the day of Orthodox Easter celebrated throughout Eastern Europe, with customs that have been observed for centuries.  Referred to as Pascha in most countries, it is considered the most important religious holiday of the year, often more significant and sacred than Christmas.  Orthodox Easter is celebrated later than that in the West, (typically one week) and follows the Julian calendar as opposed to the West which follows the Gregorian calendar.  

The weeks leading up to Easter are usually quite solemn leading up to the celebrations of the Easter weekend when the atmosphere is quite festive.  Special foods, desserts, and brightly colored eggs are part of the custom as the parishioners greet each other with the words, “He has risen.”

submitted by Hal Molhoek

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 06:33:01 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Albania Celebrates Easter                                

Albania, like many Eastern European countries, has it traditional ways of celebrating holidays and especially unique is their way of celebrating Easter.  Colored eggs are designed for both fun and tradition and hold a special meaning in Albania.

Eggs dyed red are one of the brightest symbols of Easter representing the blood of Christ and his rebirth as well as new life and springtime.  Artificial Dyes are available, but many Albanians choose “natural” ways of coloring the eggs including boiling with onion skins and other vegetables or berries.  Each town has its unique customs, but often eggs are passed out at a traditional Easter service where many dress in native costumes.

After the service, it is customary for citizen to participate in an egg tapping game before they are eaten.  Often a younger friend or relative will approach an elder holding the egg with the pointed end up saying “Christ has risen” with the reply, “He is risen indeed.”  The red eggs are then struck together resulting in one egg cracking and the stronger one surviving.  The person with the last remaining un-cracked egg, it is said, will have good luck.    

Submitted Courtesy Hal Molhoek

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 06:42:18 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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There are approximately 143 million orphans in the world today.
Many children are older, or a sibling group. Some children have medical, physical or developmental challenges.
We aren't asking you to help 143 million orphans, but you can make a difference by being a Bethany Prayer Warrior.

Prayer Warriors will receive pictures and information of children waiting through Bethany.

We ask that you pray for the children.
Pray for families who are willing to accept the children with special placement needs into their hearts and homes.
Pray for those who will never be adopted. May someone come into their life and love and care for them.
 
Each of us is part of the Body of Christ. It is He in us that is more than able to make a difference.

If you want to be added to the Prayer Warrior group and receive emails about waiting children, please send an email to:
jvandyke@bethany.org

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 09:37:53 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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We received and sent several dossier this month for families. We also have referral of three children at the end of February. Two of the children were amongst the waiting children and the third family is adopting a healthy school age child.

Wait time for referral of "healthy" young children continues to be 2+ years. Increased number of domestic adoptions by Albanian citizens and greater assistance to parents so that they can keep their family intact are two of the reasons for decreasing numbers of young children waiting for families. We are thankful for this change as it indicates that Albania is growing stronger.

We are also honored to be a part of the programs that are involved with this change. Bethany Albania has several programs that help families that are at risk. One program that I was able to personally observe is the Shepherding program. This program assists young women who are pregnant, may have been a victim of trafficking, and are otherwise without support. Many of these women, without Bethany Albania's help, would have either aborted their children or abandoned them. Many of the children would have died due to poor health care by the mothers during pregnancy or shortly after birth due to the mothers inability to provide care for their child. You can learn more about this program and others by contacting our Advancement department.

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 07:32:37 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Dear Bethany Family, We regret to inform you that there will not be a Multicultural Festival in 2009. For the last couple decades, we’ve been blessed with the resources and volunteers to host this fabulous event for families across the country to unite in Grand Rapids, MI and celebrate their multicultural and adoptive families. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. We hope that your local branch offices can maintain an annual picnic or gathering of some sort. It has been wonderful to see families gather here in Grand Rapids year after year, particularly our Albania families. Sincerely, The Albania Team Bethany Christian Services-International Grand Rapids, MI

Posted by LaDawn G. Penner At 10:05:19 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Here is a link to find official holidays celebrated in Albania.

Public Holidays in Albania

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 09:23:59 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Posted by LaDawn G. Penner At 03:13:03 PM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Dear Readers:
As I write two families are busy in Albania with the legal process of bringing their daughters home. The first family travelled just before Thanksgiving to meet their daughter who has special placement needs. The court hearings were held and they arrived home in time to celebrate the holiday with their family in the US. Early this week they returned to complete the process and hope to return to the US by this weekend, just in time to celebrate Christmas with the whole family together. We are so thankful for this adoption as without the medical care and nutrition the child will receive here in the US the outlook for her health was not good.

The second family also arrived early this week and took the long travel south to meet their daughter. She is an older child, but just right for this family. Following the hearing the family returns to the US to wait the issue of the court decree and return to Albania in January to complete the process.

Both these families have had the opportunity to meet extended family members of their children. They will keep some contact with the extended family. This is not a common occurrence, but in both cases one that truly works for the children's benefit.

As we enter into this Season of Celebration please remember the needs of the children who continue to live in the orphanages. Winter is difficult and when there are power outages the orphanages must rely on fuel oil to keep the cottages warm for the children. This is an additional expense to the orphanages. Any help you can give is appreciated.

Posted by Jan A. Parmenter At 09:36:46 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)