Adoption Journal #4

Well, Mandy and I have completed the first two (of nine) required classes through OC Social Services. After six hours of class sessions, I have some pretty strong impressions that I think are worth mentioning.It is impressive to see forty+ people from different backgrounds all together in an effort to provide care and support to children who are in need. The people sharing the class experience with us all come from different backgrounds with different ethnic and religious make-ups. Some, like Mandy and I, come at this experience after working in the system. Some have been in the system themselves or were touched by adoption or foster care sometime in their own lives. Also, I am encouraged to hear that so many of the prospective foster/adoptive parents come at this decision as part of their Christian faith. This is encouraging to me since I know that few Churches promote local public adoptions despite strict Biblical teaching to do so.However, I also am frustrated by the process. The facilitators of the sessions do not seem to be prepared or very knowledgeable about their topics. This is ridiculous. Digressions, tangents and complete unrelated stories by both the facilitators and a handful of chatty students hold the class hostage to their wills. I am frustrated because this could be a great opportunity to help these prospective caregivers understand the challenges that await children in the foster system or coming into homes from group care or abusive families. It is no wonder, after attending just two sessions, that so many foster children have such negative experiences in foster care and post foster care life.Despite the frustrations associated with poor facilitators, Mandy and I face these classes with an air of anticipation. We know that each class we complete brings us one step closer to our forever family. No matter how poor the class is or how miserable the experience, we are convinced that everything will pale in the light of our excitement and joy at bringing our forever family together. I know that many of the other families we have met this week feel the same way. This is good as well. It creates a solidarity as we go through the drudgery of the required hoops and obstacles. I'm sure I'll be letting you know more in the weeks to come. Good night and keep us in your prayers.