Buckner International

Transcription

Learn how to support our ‘glocal’ ministries. Page 4.
PLUS: The myths of adoption • Dillon International 40th anniversary • Sharing Christ in Perú: No translator needed
CONTENTS
BUCKNER NEWS
4
PERSPECTIVES ON BUCKNER
Globally Hyper-local. President Albert Reyes
5
IN OTHER WORDS
BUCKNER FEATURE
STORIES
14
CHANGING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
The domestic work of Buckner International seeks to change communities
by starting with the individual and the family. Our community ministries
serve children and their parents, the homeless, the jobless and those who
want to make a change.
14 Longview: The real East Texas
20 From homeless to hopeful in Houston
Passport. Scott Collins
22 COVER STORY
6
BUCKNER JOURNAL
What’s going on at
Buckner International.
•
Buckner mourns
loss of“Mr. Camp
Buckner”Jerry
Ratliff after more
than 20 years of
service
•
Texas Rangers,
Buckner deliver baseball,
shoes and joy to orphans
•
Buckner provides 4,500
pairs of shoes to Dallas
homeless and vulnerable families
•
Stories from the mission field: One
family making‘disciples of nations’
•
Hitting the roof:WMU builds home for
Colonias family
•
Midland: Buckner Family Place celebrates
the opening of new apartments
•
Hillburn Hills reaches out to neighborhood
children with after-school snacks
D FW COMMUNIT Y PROGRAMS KIDS
slam dunks
with Mavericks
2 Buckner Today • FALL 2011 ISSUE
32
SHOES FOR ORPHAN SOULS®
WALKS TALL
What started as a local shoe drive for Russian
orphans by a local radio station opened doors for
Buckner to expand into a global ministry. Scott Collins
walks through the history of Shoes for Orphan Souls.
Buckner
TODAY
A publication of Buckner International
Vo l u m e 3 7 , N u m b e r 1 • W i n te r 2 0 1 2
PR ESI DEN T, B U C KN ER INTERNATIONAL
Albert L. Reyes
PR ESI DEN T, B U C KN ER FOUNDATION
David M. Slover
C EO
Kenneth L. Hall
V I C E PR ESI DEN T OF COMMUNIC ATIONS
36
Scott Collins
DILLON INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES ITS 40TH
YEAR
Q & A with founders Jerry and Deniese Dillon
The Dillons speak candidly about God’s call to start an adoption agency 40
years ago in Tulsa, Okla., and how it grew into something bigger than they
could’ve ever imagined.
DI R EC TOR OF PU B L I C REL ATIONS
Russ Dilday
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND MEDIA RELATIONS
Jenny Pope
EDI TOR IAL STA FF
EDI TOR
Chelsea Quackenbush
39
A RT DI R EC TOR
ADOPTION: TRENDS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
The adoption landscape is different from what it used to be a few decades ago,
both domestically and internationally. Adoption officials want families considering that path to know the truth – the good and the bad.
42
UNSPOKEN JOY
A Buckner intern in Peru learns that sharing God’s love does not always
require a translator.
Alan Paul
G R A PHI C A RT I ST
Luis Pérez
CON T R I B U TOR S
Douglas DiRuggiero
John Hall
Jeanne Jacobs
Susan Serrano
Lauren Hollon Sturdy
EDI TOR I A L A SSI STA NT
Tally Leonard
43
N E WSMEDI A PRODU CTION
PARTING SHOT:
Nathan Chandler
‘You’re here … And that’s enough.’
W EB /MU LT I MEDI A MANAGER
Revisiting a 2005 mission trip to Guatemala where volunteer Libby Barnard
learns what it means to minister and cry with vulnerable children.
Bradley Vinson
www.buckner.org
E- MA I L
ON THE COVER: This issue of Buckner Today journeys through the beginning
of Buckner’s international work to answer the question,‘how did we get
here?’The children on the front cover represent the scope of our
international ministries.
Letters to the Editor
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the articles
you’ve read in
Buckner Today,
e-mail us at
news@buckner.org.
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PHON E
214-758-8000
Buckner Today is published by the Public Relations
Office of Buckner International. ©2012 Buckner
Postmaster: Send address changes to Buckner
International Public Relations, 600 N. Pearl,
Suite 2000, Dallas, Texas 75201
www.buckner.org
WINTER 2012 ISSUE •
Buckner Today 3
PERSPECTIVES ON BUCKNER | ALBERT REYES
Globally hyper-local
I
t’s amazing to look at the tombstone of R.C.Buckner in Dallas’Grove Hill
being drawn closer together by the communications revolution we
Cemetery.Even in death,this great servant of God casts a broad vision.
now take for granted. The Internet, along with the explosion of all
Not one orphan child, but all orphan children.
forms of communication technology, brought the world to our living
It has been the mission and vision of Buckner International for 133
rooms. Today, anyone with a smartphone can fit the world in your
years to see the world as God sees it – filled with vulnerable and hurting people who need to know that someone cares for them. Buckner
has sought to shine hope wherever we serve.
In the past 17 years, that “wherever” has expanded exponentially.
pocket and take it with you.
The combination of those two factors – prolific desperate needs
and our awareness of those needs thanks to instant information –
landed on our doorstep at Buckner.We were immediately challenged
Beginning in the mid-1990s,under the visionary leadership of Ken Hall,
with utilizing the expertise Buckner had developed caring for needy
Buckner stretched out beyond the comforts and familiarity of Texas to
people in Texas on a global scale.
embrace a world that was rapidly changing at the end of the 20th cen-
[It’s important to understand that historically, Buckner has entered
tury. Responding to pleas for help from across the globe, we offered
into places of ministry where we were invited, either by local organiza-
our years of experience to assist vulnerable children and families.
At the time, dynamic circumstances were blowing up the global
landscape.Countries in Eastern Europe were emerging from decades
tions, churches or governments.That’s been our history domestically as
well as internationally. We did not start many of the ministries we currently operate – we assumed those ministries when asked to do so.]
of communism that had fostered economic and social disarray.
The developing nations of the world, particularly in Africa, were
‘Glocalization’
ome years ago, the term ‘glocalization’ came into vogue. Its ori-
and parts of Asia, continual shifting political sands strangled hope for
S
desperate children.
localization.The word was coined to describe a product or service that
feeling the crush of a scourge we now know as AIDS.In Latin America
In the midst of the upheaval,the disparate parts of the world were
4 Buckner Today • WINTER 2012 ISSUE
gins are obvious – a combination of the words globalization and
is developed and distributed globally, but which is also “fashioned to
IN OTHER WORDS | SCOTT COLLINS
Passport
Growing up,I never considered a passport an essential tool.In fact,
I never considered a passport at all.
But three months after graduating from college, I found myself
accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.” The idea is
further defined as a service that “may be tailored to conform to local
laws, customs or consumer preferences.”
If that sounds a lot like the ministry of Buckner, it should.We have
developed our international ministries around philosophical and
missiological foundations that drive us to be locally relevant wherever
we serve. Some have even referred to our approach as “hyper-local.”
While we have a global vision for ministry,we never look past the local
community we serve.
That’s true whether the community is Lubbock, Beaumont, Dallas
– or Guatemala City or Nairobi.
This approach explains our rationale for hiring and developing
local staff to operate the ministries where we serve locally,rather than
sending long-term, career missionaries from the United States. At the
same time, we support and undergird the local work by sending
mission teams from the U.S. to work alongside our local staff – again,
the approach is glocal.
Christians have a mandate that is also glocal.Jesus commanded His
followers in Acts 1:8 to share his story“in Jerusalem,and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”That command encompasses
the world, from our own community to distant points on the globe.
This issue of Buckner Today gives you an overview of the work
Buckner is doing around the globe. Whether it’s shipping thousands
of shoes around the world or developing local programs for vulnerable children and families, our goal is to always tailor our ministries to
local contexts, not export them.
As we become more aware of our global neighbors in the 21st
century, we can be certain we will be even more aware of the needs
that were once far away but are closer now.We have an opportunity to
shine the hope of Christ into the darkest places in our world.I invite you
to read about the work of Buckner International and consider how the
Lord of redemptive history might bless the nations through your life.
standing in Botswana and calling it home. I fell in love with Africa.
Two years later I was back in the United States as a newspaper
editor and thoughts about using my passport faded. But I never lost
my love of the bigger world and that nagging sense that someday,
I would pull out my old passport and put it to use again.
I settled in FortWorth at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earned a master’s
degree and joined the staff as director of
public relations. I got married, became active
in my church and played tennis every Friday
afternoon with a group of professors. The
passport (right) stayed tucked away.
If most of us had planned our lives,
they wouldn’t have turned out the
way they have. And that’s probably a
good thing.
I pictured myself settled. People
at Southwestern Seminary in those
days stayed for 30 to 40 years.
But a series of events in 1994
changed everything and I landed
at “Buckner Baptist Benevolences.” I’ve got to
admit that coming to Buckner was initially a survival move. I
needed a new job and Buckner offered.
As I got to know Buckner in those days,I became genuinely excited
to be here and what started as a job became a calling. I also realized
that I didn’t need my passport, which had long ago expired. Buckner
was a Texas-only ministry. So I concluded that my longing to serve
internationally had been fulfilled and I settled into traversing Texas.
Within a year, the Buckner map expanded to include Russia and
Romania. I needed a new passport.
Now, more than 17 years later, I’m on my second passport (third
altogether) since coming to Buckner,now Buckner International.Never
did I dream in 1994 that it would become an international ministry,
touching the lives of children globally, not to mention my own.
But God, as He always does, had other ideas. Now I know that my
first passport, obtained in 1982, was only the beginning.
The only thing that’s changed more than my first passport is me.
Albert Reyes, President, Buckner International
Visit my blog at www.pandulce.typepad.com
Scott Collins is Vice President
of Communications at Buckner International.
Buckner Today 5
DALLAS – Most kids dream of being able to see their favorite
athletes play games against big-time rivals from courtside seats.
Some would die just to get a high five from one.
But 85 children in Buckner Dallas and Fort Worth community programs got to shoot hoops for an afternoon with the 2011 World
Champion Dallas Mavericks.
The session was the second annual Turkey Dunk hosted by the
Mavs Dec. 22 at the American Airlines Center.
In a star-studded afternoon, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Lamar
Odom, Jason Kidd and other Mavs players played games and ran
drills with the kids.Nowitzki,the seven-foot MVP from Germany,lifted
kids up in the air so they could slam-dunk the ball.
“The collaboration with the Mavericks organization has been fantastic,” said Abe Jaquez, administrator of Buckner Child and
Family Services of North Texas.“It was clear that the children
were impacted by the players’ presence and the time they
took to play and teach the children.Professional athletes have
the platform and opportunity to have a positive or negative impact on
children. On that day, it was evident that a major positive impact was
felt in the lives of the children that participated in the practice.”
The Mavs autographed the kids’ T-shirts before heading to their
team practice. Several of the players served an On The Border lunch
of quesadillas and tacos after the session.
– Chelsea Quackenbush
Hillburn Hills reaches out
to neighborhood children
with after-school snacks
DALLAS – Buckner Hillburn Hills and AZAR Foundation, Inc., are reaching
out to students in the Piedmont Home Association community to serve
after-school snacks twice a week to foster relationships and lay the groundwork for community transformation.
Students from John B. Hood Middle School and San Jacinto Elementary
School swing by the community center to pick up a snack and either stay to
socialize and work on homework or head home.
Buckner partnered with AZAR in November to provide the snacks and
plans to host a summer food program and GED and literacy programs within
the community. They’re also working on a summer mentoring program,
which will include job skills education.
“I believe in partnerships and collaborations because everyone has a
piece of the puzzle and it makes it that much stronger … You can see Buckner’s passion for children and youth,”AZAR cofounder Deborah Brown said.
Their focus is to empower children and see them grow in a positive way,
Brown said.They also hope to provide a computer technology program with
advanced training in web design and multimedia skills.
The snack program takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30
to 5 p.m. They currently serve about 30 children but hope to expand the
program to 50 to 75 in 2012.
“It’s not just the focus on the child,but the families.And it’s not just the families, it’s the community,” community resource coordinator Adrain Blackwell
said.“It’s like that saying of the village raising a child … We’re headed in the
same direction.We are that village.”
The AZAR Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization geared toward
meeting the needs of children – especially those in low-income, high-risk
environments – to bring positive change while supporting families by focusing on hunger relief, educational excellence, health, community service,
missions and economic empowerment.
– Chelsea Quackenbush
Buckner mourns loss of ‘Mr.
Camp Buckner’after more
than 20 years of service
MARBLE FALLS, Texas – Friends and family mourning the
unexpected death of “Mr. Camp Buckner,” Jerry Ratliff, remembered him as a devoted community leader.
The 60-year-old home builder apparently died of a heart attack while on a hunting trip near Abilene Dec.22, friends said.
Jerry was the contractor hired to design and build Camp
Buckner. Since he knew it so well, it was a natural fit for him
to stay on, Buckner vice president for growth and development Felipe Garza said.
“He had such a calm spirit and he took everything with a
positive attitude,” Garza said.“He
had a loving nature … He was
easy to talk to and a good communicator. If there was ever a
problem, he wanted to sit down
and talk it out.”
Jerry also owned Ratliff Homes
Inc., based in Burnet, which builds
single-family homes in the Highland Lakes region. His business relationships and knowledge of the area proved
beneficial to Buckner over the years, Garza said.
“He wanted the best in everything so our kids, their
families and everyone who came to Camp Buckner would
have the best,” he said.“He also made sure we had the best
facilities and the best staff. He always ensured you would
get the best quality.”
Jerry is survived by his wife,Tammi, and their three children, Chelsea, Lindsey and Hunter.
Local businesswoman Terry Pilley attended Marble Falls
High School with Ratliff during the late 1960s.They served
together on the Building Industry Association of the Highland Lakes board during recent years.
“He was always a wonderful person and a straight
shooter,” Pilley said.“We are going to miss him.”
Pilley recalled Ratliff helped the association promote Habitat for Humanity, as well as scholarships and several other
community projects.
“He was pretty much in charge of BIA giving back to the community,” BIA Executive Director Jayne Mortenson said.“He
was respected by everyone.We will miss him greatly.”
His role with Camp Buckner may rank as his greatest personal contribution to the Highland Lakes, Mortenson added.
“Obviously, his employment at Camp Buckner should
speak to the idea that he led a life of service,”Mortenson said.
– REPRINTED from the Daily Cities River Tribune
Buckner Today 7
SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS,Dominican Republic – Children living at
the Nuestros Pequeño Hermanos Orphanage received new shoes and
baseball tips from the Texas Rangers and Buckner International as part
of the two organizations’ ongoing partnership to impact children.
Rangers Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg,Chief Operating Officer Rick
George and All-Star pitcher Alexi Ogando helped Buckner put new
shoes on the feet of more than 230 orphans Nov. 15.The group was
joined by players from the Rangers’ Dominican Academy who
conducted a baseball clinic for the children.
“Getting new shoes and meeting such tremendous role models
on the same day had such a great impact on these children,” according to Buckner Vice President of Communications Scott Collins.
“We’re so grateful to the Rangers for their dedication and desire to be
such a positive influence in the lives of others.”
“It was great to partner with Buckner International to allow these
Each year, Buckner distributes more than 200,000 new shoes worldwide to vulnerable children. Since 1999, Buckner has given away
more than 2.5 million pairs of shoes.
children the opportunity to meet our future players and to be able to
Buckner began work in the Dominican Republic in 2009. Along
provide them shoes that are so needed,” commented George. “It is
with distributing humanitarian aid to the country, Buckner opened its
important for our organization to give back to the communities that
first Community Transformation Center in the DR last year and plans to
we are in and it was an outstanding experience for our players and
launch two additional CTCs in 2012.In addition,Buckner is in the process
staff to have this interaction.”
of developing a plan to operate a foster care program.
During the clinic, Rangers players worked with the children in
The Buckner CTCs provide supplemental education to children
stations to teach fundamentals such as base running, throwing,
in poverty-stricken communities by offering music, literature, Bible
hitting and basic stretching exercises.
and vocabulary classes through an after-school program. Other
“It was so impressive to watch these talented young baseball
programs include personal growth classes such as hygiene, self-es-
players work with children who have been through so much in their
teem and parenting instruction.A new computer lab for at-risk youth
young lives,” Collins said.
will open soon.
Collins said he also was touched by the sight of Ogando, Sund-
In September, the Texas Rangers hosted Buckner and more than
berg and George “kneeling down on the floor and putting shoes on
250 Dallas-area children served by Buckner at a game against the
the feet of the children. I can’t begin to tell you what it meant to the
Seattle Mariners. The Rangers Foundation also presented a check
children and to me personally to see the humility of these men.”
The event was hosted by Buckner as part of its Shoes for Orphan
to Buckner to support the 133-year-old organization’s work in the
community. – Buckner staff reports
Souls program, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner.
Buckner Today 9
Buckner provides 4,500 pairs of shoes to
Dallas homeless and vulnerable families
DALLAS – Thousands of people huddled together outside the Dal-
and small business sponsors,individual sponsors and donors to hold
las Convention Center on a cold Dec. 17 morning, wrapped in
the “nation’s largest Christmas party for the homeless.”
blankets, waiting for 8:30 a.m. when the doors would open for the
8th Annual Christmas Gift 2011.
“We were told that some people even came Friday night and
camped out to make sure they had a good spot in line,”said Brittany
Volunteer help is also essential. It took more than 3,000 volunteers
to pull off Christmas Gift this year.At the foot-washing station,kneeling
before rows of chairs, volunteers washed guests’ feet and fitted them
with new socks and shoes.
Sumrall,volunteer coordinator for Shoes for Orphan Souls,the largest
“I was nervous about signing up for foot washing, but I felt it was
humanitarian aid project of Buckner International.“This event fills
where I should spend my time,”one volunteer said.“I’m so glad I went
such an important need in our community.”
through with it. It’s been emotional and life-changing.”
Christmas Gift, an event run by Operation Care International,
Buckner collects shoes year-round through its worldwide Shoes
served more than 8,000 homeless people, veterans and low-income
for Orphan Souls project. Since 1999, SOS has collected and distrib-
families with gifts, new clothes, warm meals, haircuts and new shoes.
uted more than 2.5 million pairs of new shoes to 74 countries around
Buckner has participated in the event since it began in 2004 and
the world. About 20 percent of the shoes collected by Buckner help
donated more than 4,500 pairs of new shoes this year.
vulnerable children and families in the United States.
“The shoes provided are an incredible help to this ministry,”said
“Susie told me that every guest that needed a pair of shoes
Susie Jennings, founder of Operation Care.“They are the lifeline in
received a pair of shoes,” said Mike Julian, logistics manager for the
the foot-washing area.”
Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid.“That is a blessing!”
Jennings founded Operation Care in 1993 to provide for the
physical needs of impoverished children and the homeless.Every December the organization partners with charities, churches, corporate
For information about Shoes for Orphan Souls, visit
www.shoesfororphansouls.org. – Lauren Hollon Sturdy
One family making‘disciples of nations’
Georgia family travels the world for an entire year,starting in Mexico By Douglas DiRuggiero
fter a late Saturday night arrival, our first full day in Oaxaca
A
prepared to receive groups of children. My family of five and
allowed us to worship God as our first act of service. Rested and
two other women received 30 to 35 little jumpers, all under age 5.
eager,our group of 30 loaded into two small buses and drove beyond
Operating in tight, crowded, loud and unfamiliar conditions, our first
the city limits in search of a small country church—Iglesia Bautista
team experience was truly a baptism by fire. Our plans to have them
Emanuel. Little did we know that this small,hidden congregation was
read and write the memory verse collapsed as only a few kids could
going to serve us.
write their name.
Inside the church, six rows of wooden benches and many folding
Game time provided many laughs as the featherweight children
metal chairs faced a concrete stage.While I could not read the Spanish
attempted,usually unsuccessfully, to sit on a balloon and pop it.If the
verses painted on the front walls, I could easily decipher their refer-
kids knew we were rookies they did not let us know. In fact, they only
ences—Matthew 4:10 and Matthew 28:19.The first verse finds Jesus
offered smiles and laughter as if we were mission field pros.
commanding Satan to depart from Him and the second verse com-
I quickly learned that our success would not depend upon elab-
mands us to go and make disciples of all nations. I couldn’t think of
orate pre-planning or vast prior experience but on this basic
two better verses to meditate on as I prepared for the week ahead.
principle:Hug a kid and be a kid! That became my motto for the week.
The Spirit filled the place as the musicians lead us into singing
Seems simple, doesn’t it? Almost too simple! But Jesus had a way
“Santo,Santo,Santo”(“Holy, Holy,Holy”).As the song ended,everyone
of keeping things simple—“Come to me as a child.” Perhaps I need
was encouraged to turn and greet their neighbor,and everyone freely
these poor children as much as I thought they needed me—to
offered long, tight hugs. The congregation was delighted to glorify
remind me to have joy in spite of circumstances, to not worry about
God by serving us enough food to feed all of Oaxaca after the service.
tomorrow, and to laugh, run and play, simply because I can.
We could feel excitement in the air increasing as neighborhood
families filled the courtyard. We cleared the tables and moved them
Douglas and Karen DiRuggiero and their children, Ben, Kate and Mar-
to create small stations for Bible stories, crafts and games. The shoe
garet, are spending this school year traveling the world for a month at
distribution area would be in the small church.
a time engaging in mission work as a family.They went to Oaxaca,
Organized into four teams, we moved to our stations and
Mexico, on a mission trip with Shoes for Orphan Souls Oct. 15.
Buckner Today 11
When Wisdom-Martin, executive director of Texas Woman’s Mis-
“I think we gave the children a safe environment to grow up in,”
sionary Union, affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas,
Wisdom-Martin said.“We gave the family encouragement that some-
visited the Perez family last spring,it was Wisdom-Martin’s birthday.Her
one out there cares about them. I think we gave them a picture of
birthday present ended up being a Christmas gift to the Perez family.
what a Christian looks like.”
Now, thanks to the caring spirit of WMU volunteers from Texas
Susan Tollison, a member of First Baptist Church in Bogota,Texas,
and Illinois, the family of Juan Perez and Juany De La Rosa saw their
said the construction effort represented an opportunity to put her
lives change drastically in the span
faith into action. Buckner leaders al-
of one week.
ready are sharing the hope of Christ
Nail by nail,wire by wire and pipe
with the family. The actions of the
by pipe, the group of 17 women
WMU volunteers provide support to
constructed a new
the ongoing words expressed by
future where the
Buckner staff members.
family of six could live happy and
“I think so many times as Christians
healthy. The new three-bedroom
we need to do more than tell them
house provides a drastically different
to pray and read the Bible and how
living situation than the one-room
to get saved,” she said.“We need to
dilapidated recreational vehicle with
help people in their everyday lives.”
deteriorating walls that was threatening the health of their baby son,
The home is a dream come true for the De La Rosas; it is for many
who was hospitalized with pneumonia just as the construction team
of the Texas women who built it as well. Some admitted to feeling
began its work.
The new home will alleviate the health concerns for the family,
ill-equipped for the mission effort, but found a group of veteran
home-building Illinois women willing to help them.
who Buckner has been helping for several months. Wisdom-Martin
“I’ve always wanted to build a home, and I’ve never done it,”
prays the WMU volunteers helped the family take a significant step
Tollison said.“I learned so much.This group from Illinois has taken us
toward a better life.
under their wing.”
WMU of Illinois has built 11 homes for free. Wisdom-Martin, who
“After the first day, I was in awe of how much had been accom-
led the Illinois WMU before coming to Texas,encouraged a team from
plished,” said Marsha Whitrock, member of First Baptist Church in
Illinois to participate in the Penitas build withWMU ofTexas and Buckner,
Raymondville,Texas, who led the effort to run plumbing throughout
hoping the team members would encourage first-time builders.
the house.“And every day, I was more amazed.”
Judy Taylor, a member of Dorrisville Baptist Church
Wisdom-Martin was pleased to see the women take
in Harrisburg,Ill.,participated in the trip despite having
on the challenge of building a home for a family in
a broken arm. Though she couldn’t help with some
need.The trip provided a different service opportunity
projects such as shingling the roof, she did help
than those women typically experience.
organize the building plans,painted and did other work.
“I like to challenge WMU members to move beyond
The experience proved to be a teaching moment
their comfort zones to share Christ,” she said.“This is
for Taylor. Every person has limitations – physical and
definitely beyond the norm for what you’d expect for
emotional – but if he or she is willing to follow God’s
women. But I knew if the women would experience it
calling, He will use them for His glory.
just once, it would transform God’s call on their lives.”
“There’s a plan for you,”she said.“Whether you have
Gabriel Flores, Buckner mission group coordinator,
one bad arm or two bad arms, there is a place for you.”
praised the efforts of the women,particularly their hard
By working together, the women were able to
work, efficiency, effectiveness and camaraderie. Their
make more progress than they expected.Starting with a foundation,
willingness to serve for a week is part of a larger effort that will
the team had the house framed at the end of the first day.They began
transform the De La Rosas’ lives.
working on the roof the next day.The interior drywall and insulation
“It’s not just a three-bedroom house. It’s much more.” ■
were started on day three.
– Scott Collins and John Hall
Buckner Family Place celebrates the
opening of new apartments
MIDLAND, Texas – Friends, supporters and residents of Buckner
workers,and business professionals giving back to the Permian Basin.
Family Place gathered Nov. 1 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
– Staff report
celebrate the opening of six new apartments.
The new apartment buildings will bring the total number of units
to 16, meaning more lives will be transformed in Midland, said
To learn more about the ways you can support single mothers
through Buckner family programs,please call Buckner Foundation
at 214-758-8050.
program director Anna Rodriquez.
“We can now open our doors to help more single mothers,” she
said.“We are helping women break the cycle of abuse, homelessness
and poverty to achieve their goals.This is our calling; it’s our passion.”
Buckner Family Place provides single mothers with the opportunity to live in a safe, secure environment while completing their
educational goals and learning the necessary skills to become selfsufficient. Since 2003, Buckner has served 53 single mothers and 96
children through the program.
Mothers who have graduated from Buckner Family Place program
are now registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, dental
hygienists, respiratory therapists, child care workers, teachers, social
Buckner Today 13
uckner has operated in Longview since 1992, primarily focused
on foster care, adoption services and various community
programs. A brand new Community Transformation Center – only
the second domestic Buckner CTC – is now open for business.
B
“There are many great agencies in Longview and
surrounding counties that are prepared to address the life
Rebuilding the family
“When you are in the middle of a crisis, it is sometimes
challenges that families are experiencing,” CTC director
hard to realize the strengths that exist within your family,”
Michelle Heflin said. “It will be our job to help the family
Heflin said.“By building off of the strengths that already exist
identify their current strengths and then connect them with
within the family – instead of focusing on all the downfalls –
resources in order to build security as a family.”
we are able to offer a redemptive message to families expe-
The CTC, much like its Buckner counterparts in Africa
riencing a short– or long–term crisis,job loss or homelessness.”
and Central America, is focused on improving the lives of
individuals and families in communities that experience
moderate to extreme poverty by providing a holistic
ministry approach.
The center is built around core Buckner community programs and is developing alliances with other community
agencies to expand services. It is also starting several new
programs, including case management, a “Jobs for Life”
program, and parent education opportunities.
Families who participate in any Buckner community
program take a“family resource inventory”to determine the
current strengths within the family and identify areas of
needed resources. Families are referred to a Buckner case
manager to complete a “family transformation plan,”
a game plan to address resources the family needs – financially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically.
The CTC has about 250 families in case coordination but
expects the number to grow quickly.
Buckner also partners with First Baptist Church of
Longview to host an after-school program, STARS (Serving,
Teaching And Reaching Students), which meets twice
a week with about 20 middle school students. They do
homework and various enrichment activities.
Buckner Today 15
Timeless training
The CTC also is hosting a 16-week program called Jobs for Life,
a Christ-centered job training program, which combines biblical
skills and marketplace principles. Through this training, men and
women develop character and become connected to a community of
support to help them obtain far more than just a job.
“Over the years,Jobs for Life has reported research centered on the
fact that companies are looking for employees that exhibit character,
and yet many of our neighbors who struggle finding and keeping
employment do not exhibit the character or have access to community
support systems to help them experience success in the marketplace,”
Heflin said.
Phtoography by Chelsea Quackenbush
L
ocke and Kara Curfman might be the strongest foster care
advocates you’ll ever meet. Even with three birth kids and two
toddlers they adopted through foster care, they’re still taking
foster placements.They’re serious about children.
They were recognized by the Congressional Coalition
on Adoption Institute (CCAI) in Washington, D.C., as 2011
“Angels in Adoption™.”They were honored alongside
150 other Angels at the national event.
But they weren’t always this involved. For most of their
life together, the couple has been at odds on foster care. It
started when they first married and Kara was a school teacher.
“There were lots of foster kids in our school,” she said.“I
remember one kid in particular. He was very rough, very
hardened, weighed about 250 pounds and was violent. I
met his foster parents and was mortified – I wanted to
Getting parents up-to-code
Buckner believes that every child deserves to be in a safe and
nurturing family, which begins when parents are equipped and
educated. The center has car seat inspection technicians on hand to
educate parents on proper transportation and restraint techniques.
The mission center houses a large clothing ministry which
provides clothing, shoes, underwear and other personal items to
men, women, children and infants. It also provides work and school
uniforms when available.
“A lot of families are beat up when they get here – really beat up,”
Heflin said. “They have strong faith but sometimes they need that
encouragment that yes, this is hard but you will get through it.” ■
bring him home with us right then. My husband said no, and I
told him,‘Never underestimate the power of a praying wife!’”
Kara meant it. She prayed for 15 years that Locke would
warm to the idea of foster care.When a string of articles on
foster care and adoption kept cropping up in their local
newspaper, she cut them out and gave them to Locke to
read. Finally, he came around.
“When we started talking about this, it was
a family decision,” Locke said.“You hear
people warn you that fostering will alter
your family, and it does. God won’t keep
it from happening or take away the
struggles and the pain, but He will walk
you through it.”
Their birth children have adjusted to
the changes. Caleb, 15, has always been
great with young kids and likes working in
their church nursery. Colin, 8, is the entertainer
of the family. He loves to play and make the little
ones laugh.They call Caroline, 12,“Little Mama.”She’s a natural
at caring for the baby – their newest foster placement – and
can pack a diaper bag for any possible emergency.
The Curfmans have been fostering for two and a half
years and have had six placements.Their first placement, a
4-month-old boy, returned to his family after five months.
“I’m not going to tell you that when they go back it’s not
hard,” Kara said.“It’s very, very hard. I get attached. But you’ve
got to be willing to go through that heartbreak.That’s where
God walks you through.”
Kylie was placed with the Curfmans in September 2009.
They finalized her adoption in November 2010, and she’s
now 28 months old. Paris came to their family in July
2010. Her adoption was finalized in September
2011, and now she’s 21 months old. Both
girls are happy, playful and thriving as the
newest Curfmans.
Their multiracial family turns heads in
the grocery store, but Kara always uses it
as an opportunity to advocate for foster
care, taking down others’ contact information and sending invitations to meetings
and classes.
“Our efforts to recruit other families have
been successful,” she said.“People see us and know
we’re just regular people – not ‘Super Mom’ or ‘Super Dad.’
I had someone email me today to ask when the next class is,
and I get so excited.
“Fostering isn’t the easiest thing you’ve ever done, for
sure,” she said.“But I always tell people, if Christians aren’t
doing it, then who does that leave?” –Lauren Hollon Sturdy
Buckner Today 17
including Peru,Latvia and a tour of 15 Russian orphanages.They went
on the first Shoes for Orphan Souls trip nearly 15 years ago.
They saw Buckner ministries firsthand, so when the time came,
there was no question about where to give.
“The Lord blessed us with some money and we felt like we needed
to give it back as a thank you,” Tom said.“We didn’t need it … I tell
people that we’re ordinary people but God used us as a pipeline to
help.”
The Stones traveled to Ethiopia for the school ribbon-cutting ceremony in October 2011.They attended a large meal where 2,500 people
in the surrounding community were fed.They loved seeing the children
excited about their new school and dressed in their new uniforms.Children gave them flowers and government officials applauded their gift.
The school currently has pre-kindergarten and kindergarten and
hopes to grow each year.The students range in age from 6 to 12 years
old.This is the first time the majority of the children have been to school.
“By having 400 children in school, you’re affecting 400 families,”
Mac said.“People aren’t living over there – they’re existing.They have
nothing financially but they’re happier than we are.”
The impact of their gift is significant and will affect future generations, vice president of global initiatives Randy Daniels said.
The school also hosts vocational training for parents and adults in
the community, which will have an immediate effect. But as the
impoverished community becomes more educated,more people will
be willing to invest in it.
More than just money
According to Buckner CEO Ken Hall,“The day we dedicated the
school,which was an extraordinary event,we heard Tom talk about his
modest upbringing and how God had chosen to bless him. He said he
didn’t understand why God had given him resources but he did and it
was his job to use those resources to be a blessing to the world … It
was one of the most profound spiritual experiences I’ve ever had, just
his desire to use his resources to do something that’s eternal in nature.”
The school in Debre Zeit is not the first gift the Stones have made
to Buckner. Their commitment began when Buckner first started in
Longview almost 20 years ago.They sold their house and the proceeds
eventually gave root to the foster care and adoption programs in East
T
om and Margaret Ann“Mac”Stone of Longview remember sit-
Texas, the largest of all Buckner foster care programs.
ting in a Buckner meeting several years ago, their hearts
“Their commitment to Buckner is extraordinary,”Hall said.“I know
breaking for children in Ethiopia but not knowing what to do
of no two more generous people, not only with the resources, but
about it at the time.
The Buckner trustee emeritus and his wife were captivated by a
report about a school in Bantu and water well drilling.
Tom Stone was active on the Buckner Board of Trustees for 29
years.He and Mac had been on numerous mission trips with Buckner,
their time, their energy and their influence. It reminds me of the
Matthew 6 passage … Jesus said that when you do something for
others, you don’t stand in the street and blow the trumpets.You do it
in secret. And it’s been my privilege to see the way their secrets have
affected individuals.” ■
anelle Hudgins knew something was wrong when her
After a few weeks, Newsome was moved to assisted living,
88-year-old mother Leoda Newsome lost her memory
where she is frequently visited by her daughter and the rest of
overnight last August.
her family.
J
Newsome was dehydrated and forgetting to take her medica-
“I felt safe for the first time in a long time and I can sleep,”
tion. She says all she remembers about the ordeal is being really
Newsome said.“I don’t have to worry about anything. I just like
scared.
everything about Buckner.”
“I was lost all that time,” Newsome said. “It seemed like it
went on forever.”
“I appreciate the way they listened to me,” Hudgins added.
“I don’t have to worry about anything being done or given to her
Doctors at other facilities told Hudgins her mother had
without my knowing. I had to go to the other facilities because I had
dementia. But she knew that was the wrong diagnosis. Finally,
to make sure she was OK.Now I can come see her because I want to.”
after placing Newsome into The Harbor, the memory care
Westminster Place offers a spectrum of living situations to
community at Buckner Westminster Place, one nurse had the
residents and is happy to meet them where they’re at.In addition
answer and it wasn’t dementia.
to the memory care and assisted living services, Westminster
By the fifth day,Newsome improved dramatically.Most of the
staff realized she wasn’t like the other memory care patients.
She was helping take care of them.
Staff figured out the old medications prescribed by other
doctors had a negative effect on Newsome.She also was severely
dehydrated because she was forgetting to drink water.
So they altered her prescriptions and gave her numbered
Place also offers independent living, wellness programs, healthcare and a 24/7 GREEN HOUSE® Home.
Westminster Place executive director Wes Wells said,“We ask
what are the things people will miss from their home and how
can we provide that at Westminster Place?”
For more information about Buckner Retirement Ser vices,
please call 1-800-381-4551. ■
water bottles until she healed enough to count on her own.
Buckner Today 19
Family Place makes dreams come true for single mom and four daughters
n an odd way, Wendi Hay had a feeling
she would be homeless one day.
I
She didn’t know why or what would lead her there. She just
had a feeling.
Fast forward several years later. Wendi and her four daughters –
Kira, now 8, twins Ajsa and Angel, 6, and Shauna, 5 – were living in a
homeless shelter in Florida. They remained homeless for four years.
still dealt with emotional issues. She stayed there for almost three
years. When Buckner partnered with Star of Hope to provide services
to single parents, Wendi was the first participant in the newly-established Family Place program.
As part of the Buckner program, Family Place is a self-sufficiency
program that provides housing and supportive services for singleparent families while parents pursue their education full-time.
Wendi already was working toward an associate degree in
business management at Houston Community College. She moved
The road with no end
Their story begins in Alabama, where Wendi lived with her daughters
into an apartment with her girls and started case management and
supportive counseling with Houston
in an abusive relationship involving drug use. She was eventually
Family Place program coordinator
pulled into the lifestyle. She partied and became addicted to drugs.
Cari Downie.
The situation got so bad that Wendi had to call 9-1-1 several nights
“What I appreciate about
in a row. One night, the officer advised Wendi to leave the relationship.
Wendi is that she’s always striving
“The police officer said, ‘Ma’am, we can’t keep doing this,’” Wendi
to be better, to see how she
recalled. “And he said, ‘Why don’t you pack your stuff up and leave
can do things differently,”
and just never come back?’ No one had ever said that to me. When
Downie said.“There’s no
you’re in a bad relationship, you don’t realize you have that choice.”
Wendi had four young girls and nowhere to go. She went to her
brother’s in Florida but quickly realized his situation was similar to the one
she fled. And then she realized it was exactly what her mom went through.
She became determined to break the generational curse.
But first, she became homeless.
“That’s when I decided, when I realized, I really am going to
become homeless and this is for real.”
After seven months in a homeless shelter, Wendi felt like God was
pointing her to Houston. She rented a car and packed up pillows, blankets, books and the girls. She had about $400. She didn’t know what
she would do once she got to Texas. She just knew she had to get there.
Finding hope
Wendi soon found Star of Hope, a Christian homeless ministry that
gave her a place to stay and put her on the road to recovery but she
sense of entitlement or that anyone owes her anything.She just knows
she needs help and she’s grateful for it.”
The Houston program started in July 2011 and will have eight
families by mid-February. In its first six months, Downie has seen
tangible success in families.
“Family Place provides many things for families in need but above
all, what we’re providing is hope and a sense of relief. A lot of these
families have lived in homelessness and there’s so much stress and
uncertainty in those situations … If we can help them believe that
they can achieve beyond what they ever thought they could and we
can move them toward that, then that’s a huge success.”
Changing families
Wendi is in her fourth semester at HCC and plans to finish her
degree this summer. She has a 4.0 GPA, an impressive feat considering
her full course load, a job and four little girls with homework every night.
She found a program for low-income families that would allow
her to pursue her bachelor’s degree from Rice University without
going into debt. She hopes to apply when she finishes at HCC.
Not only has Wendi improved in her academic and vocational life,
her parenting skills and response to anger have changed. Instead of
reacting in anger, she has found ways to communicate effectively with
her daughters, like holding family meetings and having prayer time.
“A lot of the family meetings are talking about my behavior and
things that I’m trying to overcome,” she said.“I’ll explain to them that I
still have things going on and I’m trying to control it. And I’m trying to
communicate that to them so they don’t feel like it’s something wrong
with them. I talk to them, I ask for forgiveness and we pray about it.”
Wendi’s homeless experience has let her minister to others in her
community. In fact, in the few blocks she walks to get from school to
work, there are several homeless shelters.
She stops to talk to people, to get to know their stories, to pray for
them. She knows her homelessness happened for a reason. It’s been
her calling, she said.
Changing the world
“There are not enough words to say how I feel about what everybody’s done for me,” Wendi said. “I guess the main thing I express to
people who help me is this: You’ve got to understand that you’re not
just helping me. You’re not just helping my children. You have helped
Bethel’s Family:
The hands and
feet in Houston
By Chelsea Quackenbush • Photo by Lauren Hollon Sturdy
he Church at Bethel’s Family built itself among the people
it serves – and the congregation earned a very positive
reputation in their effort to feed and clothe the community.
Their ministry is huge and it’s growing every week.
“Bethel’s Family is the stabilizer for our community,” said Dianne
Jones, Bethel’s Place development director and
director of global and
community ministries
for Buckner in Houston.
“We have implemented
several programs and
nonprofits to serve the youth and their families.”
Bethel’s Family and Buckner collaborated in 2010 to
provide services and community ministry to the homeless
and low-income population of Houston.
One of their largest ministries, Bethel’s Heavenly Hands,
provides a drive-through food program, which feeds 6,000 to
7,000 people each month, in addition to a clothing store and
counseling. Cars snake around the exterior of the building
every Thursday morning as volunteers load bags of groceries
into trunks and backseats.
Food is stored and served out of their 55,000-square foot
Community Empowerment Center, across the street from the
church. The stark white and cool blue structure stands out
among dilapidated apartment complexes and a depressed
community in need of hope.
“Buckner and Bethel’s Family have a very similar mission,
vision, passion and desire to touch the lives of children and their
families all over the world,” Jones said.“ I was blown away with an
organization that shares our desire to serve people holistically.” ■
T
to change the curses from my family; you have helped to be a part of
transformation. The dynamics of giving are absolutely amazing.
You start helping others and then it’s a ripple effect. You’re changing
the world.” ■
Buckner Today 21
Buckner Today 23
B
ut as I kicked the ball, the play reminded me of kicking around
another soccer ball in another time: at a Buckner orphan camp 12
years ago in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. I was there with a
large volunteer mission group and there were more than 100 kids
from several orphanages.
The incongruity between the settings marked the stark difference
in the philosophical direction of Buckner since we moved into
international work in 1995. That difference struck me – thus the postnaptime, lopsided feeling – as I compared just how much had
changed as Buckner has put the
“international” in Buckner International. It made me reflect on the 13
years I’ve observed the ministry, and
ask,“How did we get here?”
To tell the story of our international journey, we have to
start at the beginning. Adoption
brought us into international
work, beginning in 1994 when
former Buckner staffer Mike
Douris and former Buckner
President and CEO Ken Hall
(he now holds the CEO title)
struggled with changes in
domestic adoption needs. Douris, who
then served as associate administrator of Buckner Children’s Home in
Dallas, met with Hall to discuss the future of Buckner adoption.
“Ken Hall and I had a clear mandate to continue
offering adoption services, so we initially talked
about expanding into international adoption because of a couple of needs,” Mike,
now president of Orphan Outreach,
recalled in a 2004 interview.“One, there
were a lot of children available for
international adoption and we felt like
that was a great opportunity to meet
the needs of our constituency.
“Two, domestic adoption has
changed a lot over the years,” he said.
“The number of domestic adoptions
had been struggling, so we felt that if
we were going to balance our adoption
program out, international would be
something we’d want to look at.”
As talks progressed, Ken said that several
events made the foray into international
adoption “serendipitous. We were celebrating
Orphan
care.
Buckner began
international work in
1995 when it started
its Russian adoption
program. Services for
children living in orphanages, such as this
boy photographed in
2003 in St. Petersburg,
soon followed.
the 25th anniversary of the
founded the Livada ministry in Romania, said then that the Buckner
Vietnamese orphans, many
international mission to orphans was a natural progression for the
of whom were adopted
orphan ministry started by R.C.“Father” Buckner in 1879.
through Buckner. We had
“If you look at all the things Father Buckner did in Texas to reach
various professional contacts
not one, but all orphans in need, this would be part of his vision if he
that opened doors for adop-
were alive today. He would be seeking out where the truly needy
tions in Russia, Romania
orphans are – the ones that need to hear the gospel,” Bruce said.
and Poland.”
Along with the adoption
In the summer of 1998, a Buckner team was invited to the Vladimir
region of Russia by government officials to help establish a nationwide
program came another de-
foster care program. The primary goal of the team, said Mike Douris, was
sire – to provide aid to the
to “help set up a system that alleviates the need for some children to be
thousands of children living in orphanages who were not available
institutionalized and which limits the time others are institutionalized.”
for adoption.
“So what began as an effort to do adoption was really the begin-
Shoes step up the pace
ning of our humanitarian aid efforts through Buckner,” Ken said.“It was
The number of mission trips, the amount of humanitarian aid and
about being faithful to the door God was opening to us and allowing
the broadening of programs continued at a steady pace, but that was
the Lord to show us He had a plan we didn’t understand. Looking back
about to change, all because of a small shoe collection drive.
at some very innocent conversations that led to our international
work, God had a plan much bigger than any of us dreamed.”
In 1995, Hall and Douris traveled to Poland, Romania and Russia to
research adoption possibilities. While Poland “was not an open door
and Romania was still struggling with how to do adoptions,” said Douris,
“Yanna told me, ‘Until we came to live
with you, I’d never had a new pair of
shoes,’ while Julia said, ‘I never had a pair
By 1996, Buckner established a separate international arm, Buckner
big enough. We always got hand-medowns.’ When they told me that, I said,
‘I believe I can work on this campaign.’”
International Ministries (BIM), to provide humanitarian aid
– Lee Bush, Buckner board member
Russia became the first conduit for partnership. Buckner facilitated its
first adoption from St. Petersburg the same year for a Texas family.
and professional assistance to Russian orphanages.
Besides providing supplies such as medicine,
clothing and medical equipment, BIM
provided professional training and
educational material for child
care staff in Russia.
Buckner also distributed
more than $65,000 worth of
humanitarian aid in Russia and in
that year, a team of medical volunteers traveled to St. Petersburg in
the first medical and social care trip
of its kind coordinated through BIM.
The “Shoes for Russian Souls” project, started in 1994 by KCBI radio
Those mission trips became
in Dallas, collected about 5,000 pairs per year. In the spring of 1999,
a hallmark of Buckner’s early inter-
the station handed over coordination to Buckner and Children’s
national work and exposed
HopeChest, a Colorado Springs-based Christian organization.
hundreds to Christian missions.
I remember the day in July 1999 (it was my third week on the job),
They also exposed hundreds of
when Amy Norton, then-director of what had come to be known as
orphans to Christ.
Buckner International Services for Children, visited Scott Collins’ office
Former Buckner staff mem-
to plan a strategy for the newly-acquired drive. Collins has been the
ber Bruce Thomas, who later
creative marketing mind at Buckner since 1994, and continues to lead
Buckner Today 25
the communications division as vice president.
Norton, an adoptive mother from Russia, looked across the room
for children and senior adults in Texas to a nationally-known children’s
nonprofit with international interests. All of a sudden, churches and
and said,“Guys, I’ve been praying, and God has told me we’re going to
organizations in Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Tennessee and California
double the number of shoes we collect from 5,000 to 10,000 this year.”
were hosting shoe drives and talking about Buckner. Eventually drives
We readily agreed. The need for shoes in orphanages was urgent.
would be held in all 50 states. The resulting expansion spilled over into
Others rallied behind the effort. Lee Bush, a Buckner board member
interest in mission trips and philanthropy for our international work.
from Athens, Texas, and the current board chairman, remembered
The shoe collection also broadened our ecumenical reach. While
speaking in support of the new drive at its kick-off meeting. He asked
we had been historically well-known and supported by Texas Baptist
his daughters, adopted from Russia through Buckner, what new shoes
churches, we weren’t a household name among other denominations.
meant to them when they lived in the orphanage.
“Yanna told me,‘Until we came to live with you, I’d
never had a new pair of shoes,’ while Julia said, ‘I
never had a pair big enough. We always got
hand-me-downs.’ When they told me that, I
But a lot of other churches were taking James 1:27 seriously,
desiring a way to respond to the call to minister to the
widow and orphan, and shoes were a great way to offer
that ministry.
Mission trips increased to meet demand. The
said, ‘I believe I can work on this campaign.’”
winter 2004 edition of Buckner Today promoted
But the importance of Shoes for Russian
32 international trips to seven countries. Those
Souls – renamed Shoes for Orphan Souls in
trips would form much of the heart and soul of
2001 – to the Buckner international agenda
Buckner’s support base through philanthropy,
cannot be overstated. [For Scott Collins’
prayer and aid collections.
perspective, turn to page 32].
It took Buckner from a large ministry
In 2003, Jeff Jones moved into the work
(continued on page 29)
A new focus:
Prevention.
As the Buckner international program
matured through the mid-2000s, leaders
began to focus more on long-term responses
such as family prevention, poverty alleviation
and permanent family care.
Buckner Today 27
Missions for all.
One of Buckner’s first international initiatives in the 1990s was the introduction of
mission trips to Russia and, later, Romania.
The move introduced thousands of
American volunteers to hands-on
international missions work.
of what had been named Buckner Orphan Care International two years
prior. He recalled that during the early 2000s,“We began to experience
huge growth in volunteers, and could see the impact not only on the
orphan children but also in the personal experiences of volunteers
who traveled with us, experiencing ministry to the least of these.”
The mission trips and aid, he said, resulted in “decisions children
were making for Christ and improvements in their living conditions.
We were somewhat missing the boat on a long-term affect on the
kids, but we were doing all that our capacity would allow. God moved
us through this phase to prepare us for the next.”
As a result of the growing SOS drive, Buckner was recognized by
other governments as an emerging player at the global NGO table.
Building on our reputation for expertise in child care, social services,
adoption and foster care, SOS brought with it our ability to provide
tangible aid.
Because of our rising reputation, more countries opened their
doors. Between 2002 and 2005, we began in-country work in China,
Guatemala, Kenya, Latvia and Peru. Ethiopia followed in 2006 and we
eventually added Mexico, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Sierra
Leone and Egypt.
Our international method focused on humanitarian aid, program
development for orphanages, orphanage improvement, mission trips
and international adoption. Much of the philanthropic emphasis was
put on improvement of orphanage infrastructure in other countries,
a systemic issue across the globe.
Despite our growth and successes, we began to recognize a hole
in our services. We were a 9-1-1 for a lot of orphanages in a lot of countries. We raised funds and put a lot of effort into helping a global
system that focused on revolving-door care of children with little to
no emphasis on prevention of the circumstances that caused children
to be there. We were helping a system that only helped children for a
brief period, then sent them out with no support, usually to a life in the
drug trade, child labor, crime or prostitution.
The lack of permanency and prevention in our international work
was a disparity from our ministry philosophy. Vocational training,
family strengthening and after-care had always been hallmarks
of the Buckner methodology. It was time for our international
program to mature like our domestic ministry.
A turning point
Acknowledging our global impact, Ken Hall and the Board
of Trustees renamed Buckner Baptist Benevolences to Buckner
International in 2003. Our international arm’s budget had grown from
a few thousands to a few million, and donors and mission trip participants rallied behind it in growing numbers.
The international team added veteran domestic child care administrator Randy Daniels to its ranks in 2003, bringing a new voice
Buckner Today 29
to the international conversation as the Buckner leadership
made plans to have a more lasting impact on the children
we served through permanent family care.
“The number one reason children have been placed out
of their homes in the world is poverty,” Daniels, Buckner
vice president of global initiatives, said. “It was a strategic
decision we made, counting the costs. It’s not to say
orphanage support is not valuable. It is, and we still do it. But we
want children to stay in their families, and prevention and
poverty alleviation were the direction.
“In the world, there are 8 million children in orphanages on
any day. Two million of these have no family, including extended
family,” Daniels explained. “We decided to put our energy,
resources into permanent family care. That was a strategic
decision. Throughout 2005 and 2006, we made this intentional shift
away from pure orphanage support to prevention.”
The new model started in Russia and Guatemala through the
establishment of transitional homes. But soon the international team
birthed an emerging model of ministry in the small town of Tarnevini,
Romania, which would affect what we do now.
In 2006, I traveled with Daniels and three staff members of Red
Dot Buildings to look at ministry options in Tarnevini. The town, once
an industrial center, was in severe decline. Buildings that once housed
thousands of communist workers were now gutted shells housing
hundreds of squatting Roma, or Gypsy, families.
It was here that Daniels introduced me to the new model, a multiservice Community Development Center (CDC), and his desire
to transform a windowless, barren concrete building into a thriving
ministry center for children and families. Red Dot had been influential
in supporting our work in Romania and we were seeking support for
this new model.
Looking at the building, I had my doubts. It was a wreck. Small
trees were growing out of its roof. Fires had been built in it for warmth.
The utilities and wiring had been stolen and sold for scrap. Yet, less
than a year later with the help of Red Dot and other supporters, that
building became a CDC.
As the model grew, so did the number of services, and the
CDC concept morphed into our more encompassing Community
Transformation Centers, which were built in Guatemala,
Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic.
With the new ministry direction came new opportunities for
growth. We work through the other country’s government to
form an NGO as a platform for our work. The NGOs’ staff and their
boards are native, able to function from within each country’s
unique culture and social service practices. Buckner has NGOs in all
11 countries but Lativa and Romania now function independently
of Buckner.
Buckner also affiliated with Dillon International, a Christian adoption agency based in Tulsa that shared our heart for orphan ministry.
The affiliation expanded our adoption and humanitarian directions
into several more countries and opened doors for additional government and private agency relations.
Now what?
So, given that we’ve matured our international program so much
in so little time, where do we go from here? Buckner President Albert
L. Reyes has already shown his commitment to continue to grow
internationally through sustainable, creative, impactful models while
staying true to our historic mission.
“Buckner has never been an ‘institution,’” he said.“We see ourselves
as a redemptive movement; a living, breathing organism constantly
growing, moving and changing to meet today’s needs with yesterday’s
knowledge. That is what redemptive momentum is all about.”
Albert added that the Buckner strategic agenda “is built on continuing the momentum we’ve experienced for the past 133 years by
sustaining the growth of existing ministries while
extending those ministries to new places and
new ministry opportunities for the Kingdom.”
In 2010, we served more than 450,000
people around the globe. While they haven’t
been collected yet, the 2011 numbers could
indicate we served 600,000, a phenomenal
growth pattern from our international
work’s inception in 1995.
Randy says there are several new
directions on the Buckner horizon
but it will take new partnerships
with other organizations, ministries,
supporters and government.“Geographically, Asia is a developing
area and a great opportunity for us.
India, China, Vietnam are all possible
countries for us to work.
“It will set us up as an internationally-known NGO. On the
international stage, we can’t
be seen as just a Dallas-based
organization, and the truth is, we haven’t
been in some time. We’ve truly become a
global organization.” ■
Buckner Today 31
t’s a scene I’ve watched for 13
years, going back even before
Buckner took over what is today
Shoes for Orphan Souls.
The mission team files into an
orphanage where a horde of
giddy and excited children wait.
It’s chaos in the best possible
way. Boxes sitting on the floor
are ripped open and eager hands
extract the contents – shoes.
I
Mission volunteers, as excited now as the children they are about
to serve, reach inside the shoes and pull out crumbled pieces of paper.
In one shoe is a child’s name – Sergei, Misha, Juan, Carlos. In the other
shoe is a note from somewhere in the United States written with love
by a shoe donor from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida. “God loves
you;” “I’m praying for you.”
always an unseen hero; another part as important as the feet
– the knees.
No, we don’t put shoes on knees. But without knees,
we don’t put shoes on feet.
By global standards, our Buckner volunteers are
wealthy. And yet, there they are, kneeling at the feet
of impoverished children.
From the start
When Ron Harris started “Shoes for Russian
Souls” at KCBI Radio in Dallas in 1994, he saw it as
a way to infuse immediate help into the lives of
orphans he’d seen stranded in the wastelands of
Russian orphanages. Five years after that initial
drive, Shoes for Russian Souls garnered about
5,000 pairs of shoes annually.
But Harris knew the radio station had
reached its limit. Because it covered only the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Harris knew
I’ve watched this scenario time and time again from Russia
to China to Central America and even the U.S. I’ve taken countless
photos and video of those mission volunteers peeling off filthy socks
and replacing them with clean, new socks and brand new shoes.
their capacity to collect shoes was limited.
He believed the program could be bigger.
Leaders at Buckner agreed. So when
Harris asked if Buckner was inter-
Every time, my focus is on the feet. After all, shoes are the star.
ested in taking over the program,
But now, replaying those scenes in my mind’s DVR, I realize there is
it didn’t take long to say yes.
Buckner Today 33
KCBI collected its last shoes in the fall of 1998, shipped them to
For many children who have received a new pair of shoes through
Russia and hosted a team in February of 1999 – the station’s last. I
the years, those shoes were the first thing in their lives they actually
joined that group on the trip to see how things were done. It didn’t
owned. Orphanage directors often expressed initial skepticism when
take long to realize the magnitude of the ministry.
Buckner promised new shoes for every child in the orphanages. But
Within the first year, Buckner implemented two strategic changes.
when the shoes and teams of volunteers arrived, the doubt left. Buckner
The first was to move the shoe drive up from November to August.
earned the reputation of an organization that fulfilled its promises,
That allowed us more time to collect and ship the shoes, ensuring they
unlike many groups the directors had seen.
would arrive in Russia about the same time as the first seasonal snow.
Those fulfilled promises gave countries and orphanages confi-
We began the process early, anticipating an Aug. 1 launch of our
dence that Buckner was legitimate and did what we said we would
drive. That same year, the Texas Legislature approved the first-ever
do. In response, they began opening their doors to Buckner and asking
back-to-school tax-free holiday weekend – for the first week of August.
for help in other areas of childcare.
To say we underestimated the potential would be an understatement. Where KCBI had topped out at 5,000 pairs, we decided to show
The result is that most of the countries where Buckner has a
significant presence today opened up because of SOS.
enormous faith and set a goal of 10,000. By Aug. 31, we collected
17,500 pairs of shoes, 20,000 pairs of socks and more than $60,000.
Internal/external
In November 1999, Buckner hosted our first-ever “Shoes for Russian
It wasn’t until the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid Center
Souls” mission trip, where 83 people traveled to Russia and put shoes
opened in 2007 that SOS finally had a home. The center was built
on the children’s feet.
specifically to accommodate the massive influx of shoes and socks
That success led to the second strategic change within the first year
and to handle the number of volunteers flocking to SOS each year.
Buckner operated the program – the name change. Realizing the scope
Once the center opened, it began attracting nearly 6,000 volunteers
and potential of the ministry, we changed the name to“Shoes for Orphan
annually who prepared the shoes for worldwide shipping. Having
Souls” – SOS. That, in turn, led to expanding shoe drives beyond Texas.
an actual presence, a place to point to as “shoe central,” boosted the
overall image and popularity of the program both within the Buckner
Opening doors
Over the past 13 years, we’ve used every cliché imaginable to talk
family as well as externally.
Another significant influence on the shoe program through the
about Shoes for Orphan Souls: “A step in the right direction;” “Best
years has been the support of Christian radio stations around the
foot forward;” “If the shoe fits…”
country. Literally from coast to coast, SOS has captured radio stations
But the best descriptive may be, “Getting our foot in the door.”
and their audiences who singlehandedly are responsible for collecting
SOS has supplied shoes to more than 2.5 million children all over
more than a third of all shoes donated each year.
the world since 1999. Throw in a few million socks, and the impact on
the lives of children is exponential.
And those stations and their listeners have gone a step further,
organizing “shoe mission trips” through Buckner to visit children
around the world and put shoes on needy feet.
But without question, the strength of SOS remains within local
churches. From the very beginning, churches grasped the simplicity of
the idea – donate a new pair of shoes to an orphan. Who can’t do that?
Today, churches in all 50 states and other countries have hosted
shoe drives through the past 13 years. That has led to churches
becoming involved in a variety of other Buckner ministries. When
Buckner took over the shoe drive in 1999, we had fewer than 4,000
churches on our database. Today, that number exceeds 9,000.
Getting personal
The one thing about SOS is that it is measureable. It’s easy to tell
if we received more shoes this year than last. We have more statistical
categories for measuring the program than Major League Baseball.
Walk through the Humanitarian Aid Center and you’re surprised at
the level of sophistication. Boxes are labeled with high-tech barcodes.
Our team can track a box anywhere in the world. The efficiency of the
sorting system rivals the best assembly lines Detroit automakers have
to offer. Pairs of shoes pass through with phenomenal speed. If you
visit during peak days, you’ll see mountains of shoes and cardboard
boxes waiting for shipment.
But you’ll also see volunteers praying as they sort through those
shoes; praying, not for the shoes, but for the child who will soon wear
them. Posters adorn the walls, serving as reminders that this is not
your typical assembly line.
For the 13 years that Buckner has collected shoes, our family has made
Still, nothing is more personal than the experience of kneeling in
a point of donating at least one pair of shoes. Our daughter Claire
front of a child and placing a new pair of shoes on that child’s feet. My
(above) is 16, so she doesn’t remember a time when we didn’t give shoes.
favorites are the light-up shoes – the ones that sparkle when you
bounce. They also elicit joyful giggles.
In November, my wife Judy and I gave shoes to children in the
Dominican Republic [see page 9]. It was Judy’s first-ever Buckner trip.
Claire is one of the most giving people I know. Last summer, she literally gave the shoes off of her own feet to a girl in Kenya when we ran out
of shoes that would fit. I’m convinced SOS has taught Claire how to give.
At the very least, it hasn’t hurt. ■
Buckner Today 35
Q:
Q: Why did you start this ministry in the first place?
were waiting and waiting and waiting, and no one was looking at
DENIESE: Well, Jerry is a visionary, and I'm the stick in the mud. And he
those children.
definitely had the idea. He had the vision long before I did, and
happened to meet someone who mentioned Korea and orphans there.
Q: Tell me the story of the first adoption. What do you
remember of the first placement, the child, the family?
JERRY: How do you really know how it started? Because I would say
JERRY: The Revell family!
it started when I was 5 when my dad died and how through adversity
DENIESE: Buck Revell is a big guy, and he meets us in Seoul, Korea,
and pain in our life God speaks to us in our readiness and His timing.
and meets his little girl for the first time and she's maybe 14 months
And when that converges – for me it happened that day at
old and she's very tiny. I have never seen a more sensitive, careful
Rotary. The timing could not have been worse. We had never
touch that he had with that precious little girl. And she just seemed to
discussed adoption work.
know that he was her daddy right then.
he caught it because he happened to go to a Rotary meeting and he
So as we began to realize in our life how the Holy Spirit invites us to
JERRY: Korean Airlines 747. They put Buck up in the 747 in the upper
join Him, looking back, I can say now during that moment at Rotary it was
level, and I went up there. It has an open area and there he was on
God through the Holy Spirit inviting us to join Him with these orphans.
the floor with a blanket with her, this big guy. I mean, 6 feet 5 inches,
290-pounder, and this little baby. Her stomach was hard as a rock,
Q: How much of a spiritual decision was it to do this?
malnourished, and to see that tenderness of Buck saying, ‘If you do it,
DENIESE: Oh, I think it was. We prayed a lot about it … When we finally
realized that this was not going away, we couldn't forget about it. Then
we wanted God to be that partner with us if this was supposed to be.
And that calling was very strong, but I think we limited it because we
thought if we helped 100 children over a period of five years, that we
would have done a great thing. And in the second year of operation,
we placed more than 600 children. So we realized that God had other
things in mind and that we needed to step back and get out of the
way and let Him do them. Some of those things that came to mind
with that calling was that a lot of children needed to stay with their
birth parents.
And then could they be adopted in their extended family or in
their country of birth? How much better that would be, not to grow
up in an orphanage? And then if we brought children to this country,
we needed to have families really prepared to understand that this
child was never going to look like them.
So we realized how very limited our thinking had been in terms of
after the child comes home, all of the things that we need to have
families prepare for and that we needed to be prepared to serve those
children and their families.
Q: Forty years ago, international adoption was really
new territory, wasn't it?
DENIESE: It was. And we really had to ask that question, are we taking
families away from local children? And what we discovered as we did
our research was that there were a lot of agencies placing children
domestically and that there were not very many that were looking
outside the boundaries of the U.S. So what happens to children
around the world? You know, we felt that there were children that
Buckner Today 37
I want to be the first – we want to be the first to adopt and then to see and
on the toilet because of toilet issues. And you walk in and they're
hear about her life growing up.’ That family was so close and so tight.
reaching for you. You want to do something more than anything you
can do.
Q: What would you want people 60 years from now
to know about the first year of this ministry being in
operation?
us as we could, and it unfolded to be so much bigger than we are. We
Q: Through the years as the ministry has evolved,
you've added components ranging from education,
life skills training and humanitarian aid as support
– why is that? Why not just be satisfied with saying,
well, we're an adoption agency. That's all we do.
realized very early on that it was much bigger than we were.
DENIESE: Well, I think it's important that a country knows that we're
JERRY: God always provides a backup plan in a father/mother role,
not just interested in taking children from their country. We're there
whether it’s adoption or whatever. He will provide us the wise coun-
to serve the children of, say, Vietnam. International adoptions ceased
sel through others, through the Scripture, through prayer, through
for the U.S. in Vietnam. So we could no longer place children in that
combination of our interaction and our pursuit of our love for each
country, but we had a commitment to more than 400 children.
DENIESE: I think I would want people to know that it was a calling
and that it felt very much that it was God’s idea, and we let it dawn on
other and love for Him and what is – to please the one who loves us
the most is our Heavenly Father.
Our commitment has continued all these years since the adoptions
have closed, and those children – some of them are now in vocational
And so that first year for us was one of discovering just how inti-
schools. They're in college. And we are following those. We know when
mate He is in all of life's issues when we feel that we are called to do
they're making their grades. We know when they graduate and we
something that we are not able to do. We can't rely upon our ability,
celebrate with those children. So that commitment needs to be there
our knowledge, our professional skills.
because we don't want to just walk away when adoptions stop.
Q: When you see orphan children, what stirs your
heart? What motivates you?
Q: The Dillon tagline, ‘until every child has a home.’
What does that mean?
DENIESE: I think as a parent you see your own child and you think,
DENIESE: Well, it's something of a mission statement in itself that we
‘this could be our daughter. This could be our grandson.’ And your
really can't rest until every child has a home. And reality tells us that
heart then is connected with the desperation of that child or children.
that's not possible, but there are such things as good orphanages and
You can't escape that emotion of ‘I've got to do something.’
a child could have a good growing-up experience with good care-
It's a compelling thing and I think that a recent experience I had
in a very bad orphanage, one of the worst I have been in, was that it
takers that they could identify as a parent or someone who loves
them.
was silent. There were no cries. There was no laughter. It was a big
So in the broad sense, we think that we have to keep saying that
orphanage with more than 200 children of all ages. And it made me
and doing that, making sure that our mission is fulfilled and paving
almost ill to walk through it because there was not any sense in
the way for every child to have a home.
crying. Nobody was going to come.
And my heart was so heavy, and I wanted to touch every child and
say, ‘Jesus loves you, Jesus loves you,’ and then it dawned on me that
He was already there. And He was there with those children and
because of my overburdened heart, I thought, ‘I'm paralyzed. I can't
even think what to do or how to help.’ And then the realization that
Q: If you think about the last 40 years and the number
of children and then the number of families and so
forth, Jerry and Deniese Dillon have literally affected
and changed the lives of thousands and thousands of
people. How do you respond to that?
He's already there made it possible for me to think more clearly what
JERRY: Well, to know that we've had a part in it and to know it's really
can we do, how can we be a voice, how can we make things better for
God at work and we were privileged to be a part of that, we really can't
these children.
comprehend it. It's overwhelming to try to comprehend the impact
JERRY: Deniese and I always wanted to have a large family. We wanted
just in that one child and one family and to think of it as thousands of
to adopt -- as anybody in this work has a desire because you go in an
orphanage and they have these children tied down on a long bench
it. There's just no way to understand the extent of that. ■
International Adoption
By Susan Serrano, Dillon International
Trend Longer wait times to adopt internationally
from traditionally popular countries.
“Caution: Bumpy Roads Ahead” has long been a
signpost on the road to international adoption.
“Spiritually, we grew. It taught us patience and perseverance,” explained Hunter, the mother of two daughters adopted from China and
one birth daughter.“We celebrate the rewards of that perseverance.”
Veteran waiting families and adoption officials report that longer
waiting times can be beneficial to allow other children in the home a
longer time to mature and adjust to the idea of having a sibling join
their family.
Although there have been numerous delays
and program changes in recent years, international adoption is still a realistic and
viable option for families and meets
a significant need for the thousands of
children worldwide who wait for a permanent, loving home. But families need to bring a
healthy set of realistic expectations to the process.
“There are going to be challenges facing people
who want to adopt internationally — there always have
been challenges,” said Deniese Dillon, executive director of Dillon
International. “Adoptive parents will need to be resourceful, flexible
and certain in their decision to adopt internationally.”
When Scott and Stefanie Hunter initiated the process to adopt
a daughter from China in 2005, they were optimistic they would
celebrate her arrival home in about a year.
Instead, delays and slowdowns cropped up in the process and that
happy ending took three years. The family endured the wait with
support from their adoption agency, regular contact with other China
adoptive families via an online discussion forum and a sense of family
teamwork, Stefanie Hunter said.
The grueling wait produced some unexpected rewards for the
Hunters, who are in the process to adopt a third child.
Buckner Today 39
Trend A climate of continued change.
According to a 2011 report from the U.S. Department of State, 9,319
children and children with special needs.
An increasing number of healthy infants and toddlers are being
children from other countries were placed with adoptive families in
united with adoptive families within their birth countries. The Hague
the United States — nearly a 16 percent decline from 2010 and almost
Treaty also resulted in a greater focus on the importance of children
60 percent fewer than 2004, when international adoptions reached a
living with families instead of in orphanges, so more children with
10-year peak.
special needs are given the option of adoption. As a result international
Adoptions declined because there were more inter-country adoptions, increased paperwork and wait times due to the Hague Treaty
adoption agencies are seeing a greater number of children referred to
their “Waiting Child” programs.
and a greater emphasis on ethical adoption practices. The closure of
These waiting children have a variety of physical and developmental
once-popular international adoption programs, such as Guatemala,
special needs, but their age is a common factor for many, said Kimberly
also account for the decline in international adoption numbers.
Alls, Dillon International’s Waiting Child Program coordinator.
China, Ethiopia, Russia, South Korea and Ukraine were the top five
countries children were adopted from by U.S. families in 2011.
More domestic adoptions in South Korea have resulted in a
“Children who are waiting for families aren’t necessarily waiting
because of present, or even past, medical concerns. The need can also
just be that there are developmental or emotional delays due to neg-
decline in international placements, said Dukkyung Um, director of
lect and lack of stability. Or, their ‘special need’ could be that they have
Dillon International’s Korea program.
a sibling, or simply that they are over the age of three,” Alls said.
“Korea continues to promote domestic adoption by providing ben-
Typically, around 60 percent—including children from Africa, Eastern
efits to families who adopt a child in Korea, and also to birth parents
Europe, China, Korea and Hong Kong—of the children in Dillon Inter-
who want to keep their child. Korea recently announced a new law,
national’s Waiting Child Program are ages 4 and older.
which will be implemented in summer 2012, that emphasizes the
Due to longer waiting times in some programs such as China,
importance of efforts to place children for domestic adoption within
families are able to investigate the possibility of adopting a “waiting
Korea, while allowing children to be placed for international adoption
child,” Schoborg said.
should efforts to find an adoptive family in Korea be unsuccessful.”
“The number of children with special needs and older children avail-
The number of international adoptions from China also declined
able for adoption continues to be very significant. The China Center for
significantly. In 2011, 2,587 children were adopted by U.S. families, a 67
Children’s Welfare and Adoption does expedite the process for adopting
percent drop since 2005 when international adoption from China
a child with special needs, and the blessing in disguise has been more
peaked with 7,903 arrivals.
children with special needs and older children have found families.”
“I think the decline is due to a complex synergy of factors, partic-
“Overall, adoption agencies are more actively advocating for the
ularly China’s strengthening economy and a growth in domestic
older children who are awaiting families,” said Buckner Ethiopia program
adoptions. That’s a very positive thing for the children of China,” said
director Anyra Cano. “Prospective parents are becoming more open to
Denise Schoborg, director of Dillon International’s China program.
considering the adoption of an older child as they see the needs and
Ethiopia and Russia are the second and third most popular adoptive countries for U.S. families. Those numbers remained consistent in
recent years.
“At this point, the Russia program is stable and is moving relatively
educate themselves about the realities of parenting older children.”
Domestic Adoption
By Jenny Pope • Buckner International
quickly,” said Irina Young, director of the Buckner Adoption and
Maternity Services Russia program.
As the overall number of children placed from some of the traditional “top five” countries shrinks, prospective adoptive parents
will be able to adopt from a greater variety of countries with smaller
adoption programs, Dillon added.
TREND Fewer domestic infant
adoptions nationwide.
Most Americans favor adoption, according to recent
National Survey on Family Growth and the National
Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey (2007, 2008 and
2009). However, the traditional concept of adoption has
Trend Increased need for families for special needs
and older children.
On the continually shifting landscape of international adoption,
one feature remains constant: The need for adoptive families of older
changed. When people think about adopting a child, they
typically think about babies. They rarely imagine older children,
sibling groups or a child’s birth mother in the picture. But that’s
exactly where domestic adoption is today.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade (1974),
domestic infant adoptions have declined. There are more options
available for single women who are pregnant today, said Carol
Demuth, adoption supervisor for Buckner.
Demuth suspects the shift comes from having more information
available to families through adoption blogs, websites and books.
“Also, as our culture continues to redefine family, it has become more
accepted for a child to have a family that looks different from others.That
Buckner has placed children into adoptive families since 1884.
family can now include both a birth mother and a mother,” Demuth said.
Prior to 1974, Buckner regularly placed hundreds of infants into
Will and Mandy Duncan of Dallas were unsure about open adop-
families each year. When Demuth started working in domestic infant
tion when they began the adoption process with Buckner. But after
adoptions at Buckner in 1996, the figure was closer to 25 to 30 adop-
researching the topic, Will said it made more sense.
tions per year. In 2011, that number dwindled to five.
“The more I thought about it, I realized all my other relationships
that are healthy are based on openness and honesty without
TREND More families adopting through foster care.
somebody mediating them. So why should this be any different?”
With the decline of domestic infant adoption, more families are
The shift toward open adoption also means more families are
choosing to adopt children through foster care and waiting child
going through attorneys and arranging adoptions personally through
programs organized by the state. Since the passage of the Adoption
relationships with neighbors, family members or acquaintances.
and Safe Families Act in 1997, which introduced time limits in making
“The benefits of going through an agency instead of doing it on your
a permanency plan for a child whose parents’ rights have been termi-
own is that an agency is your counselor, helping the adoptive and birth
nated, adoption through foster care has become more prevalent. In fact,
parents define their relationship together,” Demuth said.“It also means
from 1997 to 2000, there was a 65 percent increase in the U.S.
you have support for your family for life. When relationships change or
Although more families are adopting children through foster care,
priorities change, we’re always here to help birth families and adoptive
there are still thousands of children waiting for families each year.
families work together for the best interest of the child. Attorneys can’t
About 130,000 children wait nationwide – about 6,000 in Texas alone.
offer that same promise, nor are they equipped to handle the complex
Most of these children are older, have special needs, are part of a
emotional challenges of open adoption.”
sibling group or are children of African American or Hispanic heritage.
“The need for families for these children is disproportionately
high,” Demuth said.
Adopting children through the state remains the most affordable
TREND More people choosing adoption by choice,
not because of infertility.
Buckner has seen an increase in the number of families who
adoption option. Most programs are free after state reimbursements
choose adoption for reasons other than infertility as the needs of vul-
and tax credits are applied. This includes Buckner’s foster-to-adopt and
nerable children in the U.S. are more apparent. Many families are
Waiting Texas Children adoption programs.
adopting because they want to grow their family without giving birth
“The challenge with adopting through foster care is that parents
again. Empty nesters who have raised their children are starting over
must be willing to risk their hearts in the process,” Demuth said.“It is truly
today because they have the time, space and resources to raise a family.
a faith-building experience. They have to let go and let God. The goal of
Mark and Jacquie Craggett from Rowlett, Texas, are in their 50s and
foster care is reunification with a child’s birth family and sometimes that
recently adopted two sisters through foster care with Buckner. They
means the children placed in their homes will not be with them forever.”
adopted two brothers through foster care 10 years earlier. Their four
birth daughters, all over the age of 18, have left home.
TREND Open adoption more accepted.
Jacquie said they “wrestled” with the decision to adopt.
When the concept of open adoption was introduced to Texas
“We already have four birth daughters and two adopted sons and
agencies in the late 80s, most social workers balked at the idea of adop-
are supposed to be ‘empty nesters,’” she said. But eventually they felt
tive families maintaining direct contact with birth mothers and fathers,
confirmed that God wanted them to open their home to two more.
Demuth said. It took years for agencies to adopt the practice. Buckner
“We have to step out of what is safe, what is comfortable, what is
started practicing open adoption in 1995 when research continued to
understood and approved of by others and do what God asks us to
show the advantages of a child maintaining some level of contact with
do,” she said. “We have to remember this is our temporary home. We
his biological family.
have such a brief time to be His hands, to love and serve Him.” ■
Since 1995, more families in the domestic infant adoption process
have become comfortable with the idea of maintaining contact.
Buckner Today 41
Unspoken joy
By Jeanne Jacobs
M
to thank me for sharing the love and joy of Christ with their family.
Pamplona at a Buckner Community Transformation Center. I had
This experience reminded me that God’s power and grace extend
only been in Peru for two weeks and my most recent Spanish class
beyond languages and cultures. It was incredible to witness His gospel
y third week in Peru, my team and I served the community of
was in high school. Language was a bar-
message spread worldwide through the
rier for me. However, one little girl
faithfulness of His followers.
reminded me that sharing God’s love does
not always require a translator.
Spending time in another culture
always produces barriers, but by actively
Her name is Maria Belen. Belen is 5
showing love and leaning on God’s
years old, owns a little dog named Chocolate
guidance you can be a useful tool for the
and loves to dance and play hide-and-
gospel. Isaiah 55:10-11 is a beautiful
seek. She also does not speak any English.
picture of God’s Word and how it flourishes
Her beautiful smile was the first to
greet me each day and the last one to give
and does not return empty.
“For as the rain and the snow come
me a hug when I left. We often communi-
down from heaven, and do not return
cated nonverbally and by the end of the
there without watering the earth and mak-
week, I could understand her rather well.
ing it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed
What I did not know was how much she
to the sower and bread to the eater; So will
understood me.
My word be which goes forth from
Through my spotty Spanish and role
My mouth; It will not return to Me empty,
playing, I shared with her several Bible
without accomplishing what I desire, and
stories and verses. It was rather entertaining
without succeeding in the matter for
to watch, I’m sure. Yet, apparently Belen
which I sent it.”
was sharing with her mother each night what we had learned
together that day.
At the end of the week Belen’s mother came up to me and handed
Jeanne Jacobs served as a volunteer with Project Go! last summer in
Peru. Contact Analiz G. Schremmer at aschremmer@buckner.org for
me a precious yellow bag she made for me. She made it yellow because
2012 Project Go! opportunities. Go to www.itsyourmission.com/in-
Belen had shared with her that it was my favorite color, and she wanted
terns/index.shtml for more information.
Story and photo by Russ DIlday
riting about Buckner International’s work
W
(see “How Did We Get Here?” p.22) has
been a recollection of an investment. Buckner’s
initial and continuing investment has paid rich
dividends to those we’ve ministered to as well as
those who’ve invested their lives in the ministry.
But those rewards have not come without
pain along the way. That’s the way ministry often
works: Among the joy is the pain of investing oneself in others, the pain of sharing the sometimes awful circumstances experienced by children
where we serve.
I witnessed this pain in 2005 as a young
resident of a Guatemalan orphanage shared her
personal circumstances with volunteer and then
– Dallas Baptist University student Libby Barnard.
They were grim. The girl was being reunited with
her family the day I took this photo and in
danger of re-experiencing the abuse that led to
her removal from the home.
At the moment when Libby understood the
danger the girl would face later that day, she
transformed from minister to friend. She shared
the pain this teen felt, and they cried together like
two sisters over expected suffering.
Libby’s response was far from futile. In fact,
her ministry of presence may have been the
greatest gift she and others who’ve invested
their lives in the Buckner international ministries
could give.
As Libby said later, “There is a lot of emotion.
A lot. I constantly had to let it go. You pull away
and pray, then you go back in there. Our translators
have to remind us, ‘You’re here – and that’s
enough.’” ■
Buckner Today 43
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Permit No. 530
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s behind the stories.
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Transcription

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