STAFF STORIES

HEAR STRAIGHT FROM LIFELINE STAFF ON MEANINGFUL STORIES OVER THEIR YEARS OF WORK.

I work for Lifeline as a pregnancy counselor, and the very first client I worked with for months on her adoption plan for her baby, decided to parent while at the hospital. I was driving two hours on a weekly to biweekly basis to sit and talk with her for hours. She chose an adoptive family and had an online meeting with them. She felt more confident in her decision after she was able to meet and interact with them online. She gave birth to her sweet baby girl May 1, 2019, while I was standing next to her in the delivery room. The adoptive mother visited the next day, held the baby, and gave my client a bracelet that she had worn throughout their adoption journey. During the course of my client’s hospital stay she began to express a change of heart in her plan. We discussed her plan and the many reasons why she had felt this was best for her child, but I reminded her it was her choice and that I would support her if she desired to parent. On the day she would have signed legal adoption paperwork, my client chose to parent her baby girl. I helped connect her to a local pregnancy center we partner with at Lifeline and ensured she had the items she needed to go home. Even though my services were no longer needed because she chose to parent, I asked her if she would be comfortable if I stayed at the hospital until she discharged so that I could support her. She replied, “Yes of course, why wouldn’t I be comfortable with that? Yes, you’re my social worker, but you’re Kara first.” That statement was so encouraging to my soul. I was emotionally drained, physically tired, and sad for the adoptive parents and the news they were going to receive. However, in that moment, her words were a reminder that adoption is not the end goal in pregnancy counseling. Our goal is to share the hope of Christ, and to cultivate a relationship through which we can do that. I’m so thankful she viewed our relationship as one where I was not just a social worker, but also someone she knew and could address by name.

~ Kara Reinhold, Lifeline Social Worker, FL

Lifeline Village believes in celebrating milestones and birthdays of expectant mothers we serve. In 2010, we celebrated the birthday of one of our expectant mothers and as a gift we purchased a pair of shoes. She was extremely excited and thankful for the party and the gifts. The next day, as I walked into her room, I noticed the shoes on the dresser sitting on the shoe box. I asked her if she was going to wear the shoes and she replied, “I just want to look at them because I’ve never had new shoes before.” She reminded me that simple acts of kindness can touch the lives of those we serve in ways we cannot imagine.

~Kesha Franklin, Lifeline Village Program Coordinator

The CCCWA asked Lifeline to manage a hosting program in the United States as an advocacy tool for children from our partnership orphanages in China at the time. Lifeline’s International Program leadership agreed to the idea, and led the program as more of a camp-like setting where children could come to the U.S. to learn about culture, while prospective families could volunteer at the camp and spend time with the children. The first China Kids’ Camp took place in October 2014, sponsored by Project 139. Lifeline staff coordinated bringing the 12 children and caregivers from Kunming, China, to Alabama. Once they arrived, the children received developmental assessments, medical care, and had some cultural fun.

Through the advocacy opportunities of the camp, and just the way God works, all 12 children have since been adopted. This camp also sparked five more years of kids’ camps in the U.S.

~Anna Pawley, Lifeline Social Worker , TX

For me, stepping into birth family ministry in foster care meant changing gears and going into new territory (literally), like family drug court. The first time I was invited to present

Families Count™ to moms and dads at court, I went shaking in my boots. No doubt the Lord had given our staff a desire to work alongside at-risk parents, but admittedly, they were an intimidating group and I had no idea how they would receive a naïve social worker like me. After praying for the Lord to go before me and asking for courage, I began describing what we hoped our first Families Count class would “look” like to these prospective class members. To my delight, the moms (and one dad) in the room listened intently, and at the end of my speech, a young, outspoken participant raised her hand and posed a question that fueled my gospel fire: “Are you going to teach us how to talk to our kids about God?” I could hardly contain my enthusiasm at this question and told her unashamedly, “Yes we are!” Now, more than six years later, I am well acquainted with that momma, one of the first parents to complete Families Count and who serves today as a peer mentor at family court. God is indeed doing a powerful work in her life and is showing her how to teach her daughter (with whom she has been reconciled) about Him.

~Traci Newell, Families Count National Program Director

I had the privilege of teaching Biblical Principles of Trauma Sensitive Caregiving to a group of caregivers internationally who were not all familiar with the gospel. After teaching how God has given us a blueprint for how He desires for His beloved children to be cared for, one of the caregivers in attendance decided to put her faith in Christ. She was able to see how God cares for us as a Heavenly Father and how He desires for us to care for children in the same way. She wanted to put that into practice personally, as a new daughter of the King, and professionally, as she cared for orphaned children in her country.

~Whitney White, Education Specialist & Family Therapist, GA

One of my favorite memories involves a special girl I met in Colombia in October 2015. We will call her “J.” It was one of the first mission teams I was able to lead in partnership with Here I Am Orphan Ministry, and they really wanted to spend a week at an older girls’ home in Bogota. There were more than 150 girls, ages 13 and older, many of whom would likely never be adopted because of their age. We spent the week loving the girls and sharing Christ with them. This turned out to be a tough but very impactful week in ministry for me personally, as this was the trip I felt the Lord’s call to move to Colombia. It was also the trip where I met my future husband. However, even more than all of this, what I remember most was J. She was beautiful, she was smart, she was nervous, and she was insecure. We had lots of good talks and she pretty much stuck to me immediately. My heart became so burdened for her as I heard her story and saw how she could be adopted — if we found a family. Because of her older age though, we had to move quickly or she would age out of the system. What happens when children age out is not pretty, no matter the country. Kids become at higher risk for drugs, alcohol addiction, trafficking, teen pregnancy, and more. I couldn’t imagine that happening to any child, no less J. I remember coming back to the U.S. and not being able to eat or sleep. I remember it was a weird time because Starbucks had come out with red cups (to be more sensitive to all religions around the holidays) and Christians were in an uproar about it on Facebook, yet this seemed more consuming for believers than really knowing and advocating for orphans. It felt like no one was going to be able to adopt sweet J, even though we tried everything to advocate for her. We traded bracelets when I was there, so we could pray for each other. I wore her bracelet every day. And to my surprise, but no surprise to the Father, the Lord provided J with a forever family just in time. This was the greatest joy for us all to witness. I remember when the family was in country adopting her, J looked different. She looked finally free. - 19 Post-adoption has been tough, and there have been many things J has had to process and face. But her family has loved her well and pointed her to Christ along the way. This would likely have never happened had she stayed in Colombia and aged out. J was one of our first older child adoptions, and since then many other families have moved forward to adopt boys and girls in their teens. It’s not easy, but J gave us the confidence and desire to advocate for more older children over the years, and God continues to use her in our ministry in ways she will never know.

~Beth Perez, Global Care Initiative Coordinator

In 1997, I began working with a birth mother who wanted to pursue an open adoption. At the time, open adoptions were not very popular. But Lifeline knew a family that had previously adopted and expressed they would consider an open adoption. We were able to coordinate several meetings between birth mother and adoptive family before the baby was born. At the baby’s birth, the adoptive mother was able to be in the delivery room with the birth mother, while the adoptive dad and big sister were anxiously waiting in the waiting room. It was a beautiful picture of the birth mother and the forever family connecting. As the years have passed, the family, birth mother, and now sweet young man have built a beautiful friendship and relationship.

~Jana Lombardo, Senior Program Director of International Programs

UPCOMING EVENTS

ALABAMA

Arc Stories Birmingham, AL May 7, 2021 Celebrity Golf Tournament Bent Brook Golf Course May 17, 2021 Camp Empower Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church June 14-18, 2021 Share the Story Banquet Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Birmingham, AL October 19, 2021 NORTH CAROLINA

CEU/Information Event Apex Baptist Church April 1, 2021 RENEW Retreat (CAFO and Lifeline) Summit Church Apex, NC May 20-22, 2021 Camp Empower Harvest Church Cary, NC July 15-17, 2021

Info Night Apex Baptist Church August 5, 2021 SOUTH CAROLINA

Fundraising Dinner Topeka, SC March 26, 2021

R(UN) FOR ONE

Birmingham, AL, North Carolina, or R(un) Where You Are around the world August 28, 2021

AN INITIATIVE BY KIDS FOR KIDS

Join us this spring & summer as we host lemonade stands to raise funds for the care of vulnerable children.

Visit standfororphans.org for more information.

Thank You to Our Partners September 2020- January 2021

Douglas and Gail Acton Michael and Louise Adams Scott Adams Jon and Stephanie Adcock Robert and Brenda Akridge Ronald Albertsen David Allen Luke and Ali Allen Patrick and Carolyn Allen Todd Amlee Ron and Tina Anders Jimmy and Rachel Anderson Toby Anderson Brian Anderton Brad and Roxanna Arcement Greg and Rene Armbruster Booth Armstrong Anna Babin C.N. and Sarah Bailey Michael and Jenny Bailey David and Shelley Balik Paul and Vicki Barber Warren Barber Will and Nicole Barbour Dorsey Barefield Kelly and Farrar Barker Christy Barkhuizen Todd and Rebecca Barnes Harold Baumchen Robert Beard Jamie and Christopher Beckett Rebekah Behnke Jonathan and Brandi Belcher Tracy and David Bengtson Matthew Bergoon Brandon and Paige Betterton Amy and Jeremy Bettis Daniel Black Shannon and Lance Black Ronald and LaMischa Blackwell Ross and Maggie Blaising Brooks Blevins Michael and Caroline Bobo Todd and Beth Bomberger Amy and Alan Botkin Ben and Michelle Botos Jennifer and Christopher Brainard Corey and Ruthie Braun Peggy and Rusty Bridges Scott Bronkema Joan Brothers D. Brown Jenna and Carter Brown Eric Brunkow Brent and Rebecca Buchanan Hucks and Elizabeth Buchanan Thomas Buck Rebecca and Ronnie Bugnar Elizabeth Burley Beau and Lexie Burton Heather and Ryan Cain Taylor and Cody Calame James and Kassie Caldwell Marie and Brian Calhoun Don Cannada Robert Cannada Matthew Carrington Megan Carson Michael Casement Michael and Amy Catania Wes and Jordan Caudell Beth and Samuel Chang Valishia and Dan Chapman James and April Cheek Derek Chen Laura Helen and Stafford Childs Jeff and Dianne Chinery Kim and William Christenberry Nita Christopher Dan Cinadr Suzanne Clay Cameron and Jamie Clayton Jordan and Candace Coggin Chris and Corrie Coghlan Robert Coker Kelly and Michelle Colbert Seth Cole David and Suzanne Collipp Owen and Beth Cook Neil and Ann Corkery Vernon and Ginger Cotten David A. Cox John Crawford James and Sidney Crews Tim and Deanna Crist Bryce and Casandra Crocker Charles Crow Tyler and Allison Crow Mike and Kari Cuenin Robert Dabal David and Beth Dantzscher Lordson David Blake and Devon Davidson John and Lesley Davis Logan and Bethany Davis M. Davis John and Susan Day Matthew Day Emily Ann and Justin Dean Del Deason Kevin and Jessica Delaney Brooke DeLoach Mike and Tina Deramo Matthew Dicen Amanda and Micah Dickey John and Mary Coleman Dobbins Richard and Krystal Dodd Sloan Downes Richard Draviam Conner and Brooke Dryden Jonathan and Justice Duhon Kim and Graeme Dykes Robert and Gina Easterling Franklin and Stacy Eaton Robert and Jo Echols Mark and Julie Edwards Michael Edwards Wade Edwards Parker Ellison Bruce and Karen Ely Kristin Engelkmier Susanna and John Epling Dana Epperson Hunter Evans James and Becky Evans Justin and Nicole Evans Connor and Lucy Farmer Thomas Fey Brent and Angela Fielder Ian and Marta Fischer Jeffrey Flannery Linda and Timothy Flowers Troy and Whitney Forrest Tabitha and Mason Frazier Sally and Gerald Friesen Melanie Fuller Alison and Robert Funk Tyler and Allison Fuqua Matthew Futvoye Malachi and Dana Gandy Randall Garber Grae and Laura Garrison John and Donna Gaskins Jay and Trecia Gemes Michael Gibson Brittney and Patrick Gilbert Carl Glidewell Mark and Sylvia Goldman Jerry and Connie Green Benjamin Grifenhagen Dan and Renee Griffin Amy and Jonathan Griffith Christopher Grissom Thomas Grooms Shawn and Robert Grubb Clark Gully Kevin and Ansley Gwyn Matthew Hale Emmett Hall Justin and Elizabeth Ann Hall Melissa Hall David Halperin Geoffrey and Anna Hancy R. Houston and Kathleen Hardin Alton Hardy William and Lou Anne Harper Kylee and Shea Harrelson Ashley and Wes Harrison Blake Harrison Calum Hayes Katie Hearn Carolyn and Cecil Heidelberg Maison Heidelberg Heath Henderson Meredith and Mark Henry Vera Higgins Jim and Stacey Hill Christopher and LeighAnn Hillman Chris and Sarah Hines John and Joan Holland Julie Holstad Ethan Holt Stacey and Stephanie Holt Charla and Jack Hudson Brandi Hufford Sarah and Scott Hughes Mary Huguley William and Virginia Huguley Paul and Fair Hurst Terra and Eric Hussar Roderick Russ III William Finlayson III Thomas Isonhood Daniel Jackson Kevin-Cherone Jackson Jaime and Scott James Wesley James Michelle and Matt Jennings Angie and Chad Johnson Belinda and Adrian Johnson Daniel Johnson Kurt and Vicki Johnson Larry Johnson Greyson Johnston B. Bryan Jones Courtney Jones Elizabeth Jones Stephanie Jones John Justice Justin Kaldenbach Ashley Kalil Dennis Kern Deidra and Brad King Katie Jo and Connie Kinney Seth Klein Daniel and Lynne Knee Doug Knostman Whitney and John Kohles Jeremiah Krienke Mark and Joy Larson Meredith and Brent Leatherwood Fay Lee Hugh and Jaime Lee Kelsey Leeke Ann Liang Chassidi and Jamie Likens Stephanie Lindsey Debra Linton Matthew and Beth Lodes Dina and Alan Long Courtney and Love Mirandaand Lovell Yerger Lurate Colleen Luse John and Kristen Machen Mason Mandy Eric Mann David Marchetti Linda and John Marchetti Lauren and Terry Marsh Casey and Robert Martin Sherry Martin Brent Martina Curtis and Jennie Massey Carol Matheny Norman and Regina Mathews Mel Mathisen Justin and Laura McClure Michael McCraw Andrew and Blaire McCurry Michael McDuffie Woodie and Ann McDuffie Henry and Anna McKee Peggy and Keith McKey Monique and Jeremiah McLean Amanda and David McNabb Bryan Meadows Pat Meharg John Meyer Rita Meyers Sarah Jo Mikell Christopher Steve and Kimberlie Miller Robert Miller Terry and Susan Miller Connie Minish Kristijan and Rachel Mitrovski Greg and Kaka Mixon Corrie and Benjamin Moncrief Julian and Tara Monks David Scott and Julia Moore Jon Moore Nikki and Heath Morris James and Angie Morrison Joseph Murè Ben Murphy Brandon and Elizabeth Myer Heather and Daniel Myers Tom and Connie Nash David Nelson Eric and Melissa Nelson Herbert and Susan Newell Herbie and Ashley Newell Scott Newton Kathleen Nolin Andrew and Nikki Nordquist Robert Nuttall David and Erin Orr Joel and Melanie Owen Rusty and April Palmer Cayce and Matthew Parker Chris and Samantha Parker Eric and Katie Parker John and Lynn Parrish Andrew Patterson Susan and Joel Payne Thomas Peaster Kelley and Jonathan Perry Lita Pierce Scotty and Christina Pinson Lori and John Pitner Tammara and Steven Poage David Poland Matthew Pope Jeffery and Jan Porter Samuel Potts Phillip and Rebecca Pouncey Thomas Powell Clyde Powers Eugene and Heather Preskitt Chris and Jen Prier J. David and Cindy Pugh Matt and Whitney Ramsey Drew and Taylor Raynor Dallas and Nita Rea Leland and Robert Record Carlton Reeves Matthew Rice Ramesh Richard Christopher Rives James and Betty Roberson Ellen Robinson Cleon Rogers Leanne and Paul Rogers Michael Rogers Ronnie Rogers Tyler and Mallory Rosamond Steve and Betsy Rosenblatt Donald and Melanie Roths W. Jacob and Barbara Ryals Emily Rypkema Leslie and Christopher Sanders Stephen and Alison Sanders Brad and Heidi Sapp Karla Sechere Brian and Paula Sewell Lisa and Christopher Shanley Ashley Sheppard Jerod and Allison Sinclair Jade and William Sipes Mark and Christiana Sly Schaeffer and Allison Smith Brooks Souders Brad Spearing Marcia and James Splichal Stacy and Alisa Sprayberry Matthew Stalnaker Michael Luke and Krystie Stanley Joshua and Rachel Steed Micah and Jamie Steele Angelia Stewart Amelia Strauss Phillip and Stella Sykes Hugh and Beth Tappan Samuel Taylor Jeff and Susan Terch Savannah Thaler Kathleen Thomas Lynn Thomason Jennifer Thompson Joanna Thompson Micah and Rebecca Thompson William and Rebecca Thompson Leonard Thooft Ryan and Hannah Grace Thorn George Thornley Tim and Elizabeth Threadgill Anthony and Terri Thurmond Clinton and Lauren Townsend Robert Barry and Vickery Living Trust Kalah Turner Tommy Turpin Katherine and Joshua Ungerecht Padmarani Varadarajan Andrew and Layla Varvoutis Michael Vasko SK Vaughn Johanna and Richard Vest Martin and Mary Jean Vogt Libby Walden Debbie and Phil Waldrep Harold and Amy Walker Betsy Watkins Tripp Watkins Paula and Rick Werts Sandy Whittle Josh Wientge Connie Williams Kenneth Williams Rebekah and Rich Williams Julie Wills Blake and Shae Wilson Frances and Phil Wilson Jeffrey Wilson Matthew Wilson Brad Wood Matthew Wrenn Les and Kelli Wright Rich Wylly Krisha Yanko Allen Yates Robert and Calee Yoe David Zomeren

100 Missionary Ridge Birmingham, AL 35242

VESSELS OF HOPE