The article is off base in some of its conclusions and inferences, but it is equally right on in others.

I could not agree with you (Jason) more when you say that “What I think this article should do is lead us to even greater action when it comes to caring for the orphans of the world.”

To that end there are a few action items that immediately come to my mind (in addition to those that you outlined).

First, there needs to be much more work applied in helping developing countries develop modern adoption and foster care laws, regulations, procedures and services. Also, more needs to be done to advocate for children who are orphaned or abandoned in order to give them the legal standing they need to be able to be adopted – whether intra- or inter-country. Finally, this reality you point out is all the more reason why our churches must become “safe places” for families who seek to adopt older children and children from hard places. As such, our churches need to be willing to get educated, offer practical support and ultimately get messy so that more families will consider older child and special needs adoption, knowing that they will be embraced and fully supported in doing so.

Thank you for putting this out there and doing so in a way that educates and encourages people to go forward in a manner that truly helps the orphan and that honors God.