Host Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—one kinship and 4 international. Her youngest 2 are teens diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With over 30 years of parenting experience and 20 plus years as an adoptive and kinship parent, she’s made mountains of mistakes and learned loads of lessons. She understands the difficult road of parenting children with trauma histories—and she is still in the trenches! The Adoption & Foster Care Journey is a podcast to encourage, educate, and equip you to care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care, and kinship care. We aim to support adoptive and foster families by sharing encouraging real-life stories and equipping them with modern-day research and parenting techniques.
Episodes
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
- Special needs adoption
- International adoption
- China Adoption
- What is a Life Book and why and how to make one
- Serving through Love Without Boundaries
- Rebecca's blog: rebeccaradicchi.com
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
It’s Time for the Church to Shine
There are children and families already in crisis in every community. These neighbors are hit hardest by the coronavirus shutdown. We are all inconvenienced by the impact of Covid19, but for struggling families these inconveniences can have tragic consequences. Single moms, grandmas raising grandchildren, and foster families are now faced with a decrease in income and resources and an increase in expenses and stress.
In this episode host, Sandra Flach, shares about the impact this season of Coronavirus is having on children and families in crisis. Listen as she shares about:
- An encouraging word from Isaiah 54:10
- It's time for the Church to shine
- Impact on children and families in crisis
- The Church has been called to such a time as this
- God is our oxygen mask
- WWJD
- Love our neighbors
- Help via the CarePortal.org platform
- This is the Church's finest hour
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
The least of these suffer the greatest, especially in China. Due to current global events, when we hear China we think Coronavirus. But there is a greater tragedy in that country impacting every orphan in China—all one million of them.
In this episode we talk with adoptive mom, orphan advocate and author, Vickie Bennett. Listen in as we discuss:
-Adopting from China
-Plight of orphans in China
-Chinese government shut down all nonprofits
-Status of international adoption in China
-Vickie's book, Experiencing God in the Hidden Place
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Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
When you hear the terms financial planner and investment advisor what do you think of? Most likely, money, which makes sense. But our most precious resource is children.
Crystal Langdon, a Certified Financial Planner, Investment Advisor, and CEO of Crystal Clear Finances (CCF) is committed to investing in our most precious resource. She is a long time friend and supporter of Justice For Orphans. CCF is also a County Sponsor helping JFO bring CarePortal to Albany County.
Last week JFO President and host of our Orphans No More podcast, Sandra Flach, sat down with Crystal. The tables were turned as Crystal interviewed Sandra for her CCF radio show on WJIV 101.9fm Albany. The two women discussed the importance of investing in the lives of children and families, the history of their friendship, JFO, CarePortal, and more.
You can listen to their conversation on Episode 210 of the Orphans No More podcast HERE. Crystal Clear Finances is hosting a Caring For Kids in Crisis meeting at their Latham, NY office on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 6:00p.m.. Come learn more about JFO, CarePortal, and how you can invest in this growing ministry. Learn more and sign up to attend by calling CCF at 518-433-7181.
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Prospective foster parents question the impact fostering will have on their biological children. According to Emily Nienhuis—it changes lives for generations.
Emily grew up with her parents fostering. She even has adopted siblings. So it wasn’t surprising she became a foster parent herself. What may raise your eyebrows—Emily started fostering as a single twenty-three year old.
With a background in nursing Emily fostered medically fragile babies. Along the way, she adopted six baby girls. Today, Emily is still a single parent. She’s also the director of One Heart Family Ministries. One Heart recruits, trains, and supports Christian foster families in Missouri.
Be inspired as Emily shares her foster and adoption journey on Episode 209 of our Orphans No More podcast. Listen in as she talks about adopting her girls and how she survives being a single mom of six. Find the episode on your favorite podcast platform or click HERE. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. We love to hear from our listeners.
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
What would happen if we made decisions based on whether our choice would glorify God instead of fear of the unknown? God doesn’t call us to do things that we can easily accomplish on our own. He calls us to tasks that we can do only by His strength—that’s how He gets the glory.
Jennifer Cameron is an adoptive mom who stepped out in faith and adopted two little girls from China. Adopting her first daughter, Olivia, seemed a crazy idea since Jennifer was not married and worked in full time ministry. Olivia was not yet available for adoption, but Jennifer knew in her heart the little girl was family.
One year later Olivia began asking about a sister. Jennifer had no plans to adopt again, but felt led to peruse the waiting children on LifeLine.org. Four year old Cally, also from China, captured her heart. But the girl’s medical diagnosis scared her—hydrocephaly and a brain bleed.
Jennifer did not feel equipped to handle a child with neurological disabilities. Yet, God assured her He called her to Cally and would equip her for the assignment. Jennifer again stepped out in faith and adopted Cally a year later.
You can hear our full conversation with Jennifer Cameron on our Orphans No More podcast HERE. Listen in and find out how God equipped Jennifer, how she parents two children with special needs as a single mom, and how she serves others through her ministry, Into the Field.
Find and follow the Orphans No More podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on our website HERE.
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Support is vital for parents on the foster care and adoption journey. Mike and Kristen Berry know what it’s like to be in the trenches. They are parents of 8 children through adoption and have fostered over twenty kids.
The Berry’s founded Confessions of an Adoptive Parent, and offer a treasure trove of resources for foster and adoptive parents. In addition to their blog and online Oasis Community, Mike and Kristen host the Honestly Adoption podcast where they offer weekly support for struggling parents.
Mike and Kristen have authored many books to guide parents as they navigate the unique challenges of parenting children with trauma histories. Kristen just released her newest book, Keep the Doors Open - Lessons Learned From a Year of Foster Parenting. Their latest book, co-authored by both Mike and Kristen, Honestly Adoption - Answers to 101 Questions About Adoption and Foster Care is a must have resource.
Mike and Kristen Berry are the featured guests on our Orphans No More podcast dated 2/17/2020. Listen to our conversation with the Berry's HERE. If you are a foster or adoptive parent, or are considering becoming one this episode is for you.
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
What do major league baseball, prom dresses, and foster care have in common? Prom Series!
Prom Series, an event birthed in the heart of Tori Murphy, is a day where teen girls in foster care are pampered and outfitted for their prom. Tori, wife of Colorado Rockies player, Daniel Murphy, rolled out Prom Series last year at Coors Field in Denver. She and other players’ wives organized the event.
The women brought together 35 girls in foster care. Each girl chose a brand new prom dress, accessories, and got their hair and make up done. And of course, they watched a Rockies game. The day offered more than fun and frills. Relationships developed. Now several of the wives are mentors and big sisters for the girls.
Tori’s mission—to help the girls feel beautiful, valued, and loved. Her vision is to launch Prom Series events in other Major League Baseball stadiums across the country.
You can listen to our conversation with Tori Murphy on our Orphans No More podcast HERE. Watch a video clip of the very first Prom Series HERE. Contact Tori Murphy at tori5528@outlook.com and find her on Instagram @themurphyhouse20.
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
What happens to a six year old boy after his mother commits suicide and he’s left in the care of an abusive step-father? He enters foster care where he suffers further trauma in 30+ placements. By age 18 he lives in a homeless shelter. It appears as if he has no hope. But his story doesn’t end there.
In that homeless shelter, Greg Belcher gave his life to Christ. While years of trauma didn’t disappear overnight, Greg now had a hope and a future. With a heart for vulnerable children and the gift of administration, he set out to serve God.
His journey took him from Florida, to Bible School, and eventually landing him in Albany, New York. In NY, Greg entered a season where he sought deeper healing. He found that healing and an even deeper relationship with God as he worked through the New Life Program at the Capital City Rescue Mission. In the program, Greg dealt with his trauma under the guidance of certified counselors and pastors.
Today, Greg is Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Albany. He shares his story of redemption, healing, and purpose on this week’s Orphans No More podcast. Find the episode HERE.
Greg Blecher can be contacted at CEFALBANY@gmail.com or by calling 518-818-8137. To learn more about Child Evangelism Fellowship find them on Facebook and Instagram @CEF Greater Albany.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
As believers we are commanded to demonstrate love. To put love into action. 1 John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Our mission at Justice For Orphans is to inspire, educate, and equip the Church to care for vulnerable children and families. Every state, county, town, and community is home to the vulnerable. They are the single moms, grandparents raising grandchildren, foster children, families suffering from the opioid crisis, and others struggling to get by.
In Albany County (New York) over 3,300 calls came into Child Protective Services in 2018 alone. Every call represents a family in crisis. Every call didn’t end with children being removed from their homes, but each call indicates at least one vulnerable child. How can the Church help these brothers and sisters in need? Now in the Capital Region, there is an easy answer to this question—CarePortal.
CarePortal is a technology tool JFO offers to equip churches so they can minister to these families in need. Since we established CarePortal in Schenectady County in November 2018 and in Albany in October 2019, nearly 600 local kids have been served.
County caseworkers identify needs involving vulnerable children. Items such as beds, cribs, bedding, furniture, clothing, and groceries are requested through the CarePortal. The caseworker enters the request and it’s emailed out to participating churches. Churches receive the request and determine if they want to help. If they do, a response goes back to the caseworker. From there the worker connects the church to the family in crisis. The church delivers the requested items to the family, a connection is made, ministry happens, and lives are changed.
This is Matthew 25 ministry in action. In verses 35-37 Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” In verse 40 He said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
CarePortal opens the door to Matthew 25 ministry. We are inviting you to step through that door and minister to local children and families in crisis in YOUR community. To learn how you and your church can be involved in CarePortal here in the Capital Region of upstate NY, or wherever you live, check out our latest Orphans No More podcast. You will be inspired to put love into action. Find the episode HERE. Learn more about CarePortal and enroll your church HERE.
Let’s be doers of the Word and put God’s love into action.