Russian Ban on U.S. Adoptions: Pray for these Children

Why do children pay for the idiocy of adults?

Today Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that bans adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens. This ban was reportedly developed in retaliation for a US law punishing Russians accused of violating human rights.

As the mama of an eleven-year-old boy adopted from Russia in 2003, my heart breaks for the children that will never be adopted due to this new law. According to UNICEF there are approximately 740,000 children without parental care in Russia.

"Alternatives to the institutionalization of children are essential, including permanent foster care, domestic adoption and inter-country adoption," said Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF. "All children deserve an environment that promotes their protection and well-being. Russian children -- indeed all children -- need to be in protective and loving families..."

Amen, Director Lake.

Why has it become so hard for adults to get along? Why are politicians around the world (including our own) fighting like children? And why do the real children have to suffer for their bickering?

I've seen some of these precious orphans during my time in Moscow, Russia. My eyes tear up as I recall their smudged, smiling faces when we drove away from the orphanage with one of their friends.

They were too young to understand their predicament. They were too young to understand the word orphan. They were too young to memorize the statistics for occurrences of homelessness and crime for children that age out of Russian orphanages.

They were beautiful children -- children that deserve a chance at one day having a family of their own. Even if that family happens to live clear across the waters in a strange country called the United States of America.

Will you pray with me for the heart of President Putin?

Will you pray with me for his fellow leaders and advisors?

Will you pray with me for 740,000 Russian orphans?


Love,

Carla