By Theresa Shaltanis

    In the Lent 2003 edition of Building Bridges, you were introduced to LISAA.  This ministry, otherwise known as Lutherans In Support of Asian Adoptions, has a goal of connecting together families with adopted Asian children.

    Many US couples are looking to adopt, and overseas adoptions can prove to be a quicker process than adopting children born in the US.  In fact, thousands of children are adopted from Asian countries each year, and many into the homes of Lutheran families.

    After conversations with numerous adoptive parents, Theresa Shaltanis and Veronica Johann, co-directors of LISAA, have learned of the importance for families to be able to talk with one another about the special situations and circumstances of transethnic adoption (children adopted by parents of another ethnic background).

    Just as all families face challenges, those families of adoption have unique issues to face.  As an adopted child grows and matures, so does his or her understanding of adoption.  Sometime before the age of five, most adoptive children have an awareness that they may look different from their adoptive parents, but they are unable to fully grasp the meaning of this.  Children ages six-12 have a greater understanding of adoption and may ask questions such as “why was I adopted?” and “where are my birth parents?”

    Some adoptive children ask questions about adoption and come to a sense of real peace about God’s provision for their lives.  In contrast, some adoptive children have a greater difficulty with identity issues and where they fit.   

    LISAA was created to hold up adoptive families with   Asian children, supporting them with prayer, and connecting them with similar families who can also pray for them and share their journey.

    One adoptive family which has experienced significant struggles concerning identity issues with an adolescent child, shared that when nothing else seemed to be going right, they knew that they were being lifted up in prayer by another family.

    Do you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about LISAA’s prayer partner ministry?  Here’s how we can be reached:

- Veronica Johann—lisaa@cameministries.org or (703/304-6328)
- Theresa Shaltanis—lisaa@cameministries.org or (703/289-9728)

- Mailing address:

LISAA @ CAME
6315 Grovedale Drive
Alexandria, VA  22310-0415

 

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