Fall Issue 2011 by Holt International Children's Services

Fall 2011

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For the sake of the least of these Celebrating the 2011

Holt Graduates

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To Clothe, To Feed, To Love, To Serve

Fall 2011 vol. 53 no. 4 Our Vision Holt International is dedicated to carrying out God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family.

Happy Birthday to Dr. David Kim

Graduates of 2011

Adoptees Today A high school graduate shares her college entrance essay

Children in the slums of Bangalore, India pose for a photo. With assistance from generous donations, we help children like these receive quality nutritional, medical and educational support. You can help fund these services through the Gifts of Hope catalog in this issue.

Dear Readers As I scan the pages of this year’s graduate issue, one name jumps out at me. Kori Stiles. Kori was the very first Holt adoptee from China. She recently returned to her birth country on a Holt heritage tour. Adopted in 1994, Kori graduated this year and is currently attending Fresno Pacific University, majoring in biology.

She is one of the many accomplished

adoptees who grace the pages of this year’s special graduate issue. We are so proud of this year’s graduates and their impressive achievements. Kudos also to their parents for raising bright and talented young adults. In this issue, I notice another child from China.

A little boy named Darren. Darren

hasn’t graduated yet. He hasn’t received scholarships or awards. No job offers have come his way. That’s not to say Darren hasn’t accomplished a lot in his 5 years of life. A kindergartner, Darren can count to 100 and knows 50 Chinese characters. He even knows a little English. He loves to smile and dance, can dress himself and brush his teeth. Darren is described as curious, always asking questions when faced with new things. He, too, has a bright future. Darren is still waiting for a family. A lot has changed in the world of international adoption since this year’s graduates came home to their families. Children with special needs, older children and boys are now first in line for adoption. Although advocacy for these children should be a year-long effort, this month, especially, we can help change the conversation about the children in need of families. November is National Adoption Month – a month dedicated to the advocacy of homeless children. You can help children like Darren have a home of their own.

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It’s a wonderful thought, imagining that 13 or so years from now, I may scan the graduate issue, once again, and come across Darren’s face among the graduates. A future doctor, like Kori, perhaps. Maybe a dancer, or a teacher. Darren has a lot of potential. But first things first. He needs a family. And the time to act is now.

In 1955 Harry and Bertha Holt responded to the conviction that God had called them to help children left homeless by the Korean War. Though it took an act of the U.S. Congress, the Holts adopted eight of those children. But they were moved by the desperate plight of other orphaned children in Korea and other countries as well, so they founded Holt International Children’s Services in order to unite homeless children with families who would love them as their own. Today Holt International serves children and families in Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Romania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, the United States and Vietnam. President Kim S. Brown Senior Vice-President Phillip A. Littleton Vice-President of Policy & External Affairs Susan Soon-keum Cox Vice-President of International Programs Dan Lauer Vice-President of Finance & Administration Kevin Sweeney Vice-President of Adoption Services Lisa Vertulfo Senior Advisor David Lim Senior Executive Jian Chen Holt International magazine is published quarterly by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc., a nonprofit, Christian, child welfare organization. While Holt International is responsible for the content of Holt International magazine, the viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the organization. Creative Services Director Brian Campbell Managing Editor Ashli Keyser Senior Writer Robin Munro Graphics Chloe Goldbloom Subscription Orders/Inquiries and Address Changes Send all editorial correspondence and changes of address to Holt International magazine, Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402. We ask for an annual donation of $20 to cover the cost of publication and mailing inside the United States and $40 outside the United States. Holt welcomes the contribution of letters and articles for publication, but assumes no responsibility for return of letters, manuscripts or photos. Reprint Information Permission from Holt International is required prior to reprinting any portion of Holt International magazine. Please direct reprint requests to editor Ashli Keyser at 541/687.2202 or ashlik@holtinternational.org. Copyright ©2011 by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. ISSN 1047-7640

For more information on how you can help change the conversation this November, go to www.holtinternational.org/NationalAdoptionMonth.shtml

Ashli Keyser | 2

Managing Editor

P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175

directions One Gift… A Lifetime of Opportunity Give a Gift of Hope today The graduate issue of the Holt International magazine is always a favorite. We treasure the chance to recognize Holt graduates for their accomplishments. And we admire their efforts. Although their lives began with uncertainty, these children have become vibrant and gifted young adults with many opportunities in front of them. We celebrate this milestone with them. As we approach the holiday season, our thoughts and prayers turn to the children who don’t yet have stable, loving families. They need our support. In this issue, we have included our Gifts of Hope catalog, listing items and services you can help fund by giving them as gifts to family and friends. Each gift in our catalog brings hope to children and families around the world. What would it mean in the life of your own child if you not only gave him the toys on his Christmas list, but also toys in his name for toddlers in China? What if, in the name of your sister, you helped provide clothing, cribs and bedding for children in Korea? Or a goat for a struggling family in Ethiopia, providing both nutritious milk and a source of income? Even a small donation can give a girl in India the materials she needs to excel in school – as well as the confidence she needs to complete her education. The graduate issue of the Holt International magazine is a symbol of Holt’s work. God gave these children the gift of life. Donors like you helped them survive before coming home to their families. And loving parents presented them with opportunities that led them to their graduation day. This Christmas, you can give this same hope to children around the world. One gift is all it could take to help a family survive. Help a child grow. One gift could change a child’s life forever. For living proof of what gifts of hope can do, take a look at this year’s graduates.

Merry Christmas! | From all of us at Holt International

Like us on Facebook. Stay tuned in and find out how you can partner with Holt International to impact the lives of over 2,500 children with our Gifts of Hope catalog.

Least For the

These

New York Times best-selling author and Holt advocate Donna VanLiere recently returned from India with Christian music group NewSong. “God is here. Among us,” she says. “Disguised as an 8-year-old orphan with withered legs, standing in the middle of a slum with outstretched hands. He doesn’t speak but we know what he is saying... 'Will you help me? Will you offer me any bread?'” Years ago, I read that the apostle Thomas made India his mission field. Remember Thomas? He was one of the twelve apostles who made it clear that he would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw the scars on His nail-pierced hands. Doubt nips hard at the heels of belief. That was Thomas’ problem. In John 14, Jesus was speaking of Heaven and said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas, always confused, always doubtful, said, “… We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” We can’t be too hard on Thomas. Even the wisest among us doubt and question and scratch our heads. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is a crucial moment for Thomas. A choice has to be made…believe what Christ says is true, or that he’s either a diabolical liar or clinically insane. Time marched on and doubt and disbelief still drummed away at Thomas’ mind and nerves. When Christ was crucified, then flung off his grave clothes three days later, the other apostles came to Thomas and said, “Great news! He’s alive!” Thomas shook his head. That’s the nature of doubt. It’s a head-shaking disease. His reunion with Christ is laid out in John 20. Jesus held out his hands like a magician proving there was nothing up his sleeves.

You would expect me to write of the misery of the orphans, but that’s impossible to do when writing about the care center Mary Paul runs. The walls are bright, the staff is warm and the children are loved. Very loved. They smile and laugh easily and are quick to wrap their pencil-thin arms around you. A little boy walked up to Troy and I, grinning. “My name’s Vanej,” he said. “I’m nine years old.” NewSong sang a couple of songs for the children and then the children sang for us, little Vanej holding one of the two microphones and singing loudly. Eighteen months earlier, Vanej was on an outing with his parents when he was somehow separated from them. The orphanage advertised in the papers, on TV and radio, looking for his parents. They traveled where Vanej said he lived and put up flyers and talked with people on the streets, with no results. In a country of 1.1 billion people, it’s much like finding a needle in a haystack. Vanej talked of missing his mother and his sister. It was heartbreaking, but he still smiled. Little Pria (her name means love) was four years old but the size of a pixie. Her black eyes were saucer-wide as we walked toward her bed and her face lit up the room. I picked her up and realized I’ve purchased a sack of potatoes that weighed more than she did.

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“Go ahead,” he said. “Touch them. They’re real. Stop doubting and believe.” And Thomas did. The last time the apostles were with Jesus he gave them a simple directive—Go into all the world and spread the gospel. “Go Thomas. Be brave. I am with you always. Remember, I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” According to ancient records, Thomas traveled farther than any other apostle. His life reveals that he came to know Christ best through his missing him. His desire grew stronger and his longing deeper. He loved and fed the people of India as if feeding God himself and Thomas gave himself for that love, dying at the end of a spear.

I just returned from a 9-day trip to India. My husband Troy and I went there with members of the Christian music group NewSong. In Bangalore, we visited a care center run by a beautiful, saintly woman named Mary Paul. One night at dinner, NewSong member Eddie Carswell and his wife sat with Mary Paul and she told them that twenty generations ago her great, great, great (do this twenty times) grandfather met the apostle Thomas and Thomas shared the truth with him. I doubt I will ever again meet anyone who can trace their faith journey directly back to one of the apostles! Ancient documents do not describe Thomas as a dynamic orator like the apostle Paul, but rather, a quiet man who drew people to the gospel of peace through his saintly ways and the message of truth. Twenty generations later, Mary Paul sees God dressed as abandoned children and shares hope and love with them.

Pg. 5, Donna stands with girls benefiting from educational support provided by generous donors · VCT Director, Mary Paul, holds Pria · Through nutritional and educational support, our partner agencies work to keep struggling families together and strong. They will continue to need our support, www.holtinternational.org/gifts Her tiny arm felt disjointed and it was explained that she had brittle bone disease. She had recently broken her arm and it never healed quite properly. But still, she smiled. We weren’t prepared to see baby Arjun, a 12-month-old infant. A dog mauled Arjun, leaving him with one eye. The rest of his face is gone. He snuggled onto the shoulder of his caregiver and clapped for us, making gurgling sounds…and smiling. Unbelievable! He was smiling. I can only trace that smile back to Mary Paul, believing fully in the trickle-down effect. “These children are the face of God,” her life echoes. “Take care of them. Love them. Bless them.”

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / Fa l l 2011

In an orphanage in Pune, an 8-year-old with withered legs lay in his crib, his eyes moving from face to face. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t walk. And although the staff rolls him over throughout the day, the back of his head is flat. Two days earlier, a boy around 9 or 10 was delivered to the orphanage. He sat in the corner of the playground, feeling the ground beneath him. “He’s blind,” a caregiver told me. “And he can’t speak.” They can only assume that his needs were too great for his parents, who were no doubt very poor. The orphanage took in this little nameless boy and cleaned him up. They fed him and gave him a bed to sleep in. Both of these boys are cared for by Roxanna, the orphanage director, and her staff, whose lives say, “I see you.” I have visited other foreign countries—our own children are from China and Guatemala—but India is different. Two-lane roads are really six-lane roads, chaotic with cars, rickshaws, animals, scooters and motorcycles with three-to-five people riding on them. We held our breath a lot and never took our eyes off the windows. On our day of sightseeing, we traveled a distance of 124 miles (but a six-hour drive!) to see the Taj Mahal. It began to rain as we traveled, and the dusty roads turned to thick, muddy soup. Clusters of people huddled together under tarp roofs. One woman tucked herself beneath a truck while others went about their day, getting soaked to the bone. We saw the poorest of the poor in those 124 miles, passing “shopping areas” that looked like the charred rubble from a bomb explosion and streets piled with garbage…not litter…garbage.

We live next to an 85-acre cattle farm and have never taken one picture, but we came away with over 20 pictures of cows walking the streets. Monkeys ran along the sidewalks and rooftops, pigs rooted through garbage and rats skittered about at night. Dogs were everywhere—running on the sidewalks, napping on the roads, even sleeping in the parking lot and front lawn of the palace where Ghandi was under house arrest. We stepped out of the cars and were greeted by several barefooted children who happily led us through the slum and pointed to their homes with pride. “This is where I live,” they seemed to say, smiling. “Won’t you come in?” There’s really no way to describe the slums. They are not the projects. We can describe those. The slums are different, a mass of rubble held together by scraps of metal, wood or plastic with dogs, goats, pigs, chickens and donkeys roaming the streets and alleyways. A little boy smiled up at us as he took his bath out of a bucket, another little girl brought a newborn kitten out of her home and held it up to us, beaming, while an old man stood at a corner and held out his hand. We ducked our heads to enter a “home,” a six-by-eight room that housed four people and nothing else…no table, refrigerator, chairs, beds, TV or sofa. But their clothes were clean, their home was organized and their faces were bright. If they needed anything else, they weren’t aware of it. The children in that home and several others in that slum benefit from the educational and nutrition services provided by the nearby orphanage through the Holt International sponsorship donations. What would happen to those children without those donations? We follow our desires so easily in this country. If we want a new TV, we get one. Who cares if it takes five years to pay it off? But when our hearts nudge us to be kind or giving or brave, we don’t follow at all because surely someone else will step up to the plate. We are a noisy people and that’s part of our problem, because God comes to us in such quiet ways that it’s easy to miss him. The homeless man seeking food at a downtown shelter doesn’t cause much of a ruckus and the widow who keeps herself tucked away in her home has never registered on our radar. That orphan across the sea whose name we can’t pronounce isn’t on the news

or in the pages of the weekly tabloid, so how can we feel responsible for not knowing his plight? We like to spin things here. We didn’t like the fact that The Little Mermaid didn’t get the prince but rather returned to the sea and dissolved, so we spun it so she gets her man and lives happily ever after. We’ll do whatever it takes to deal with the harsh reality of our existence. But the words of Christ still bang away at our hearts—“Whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me” and we realize that not doing anything is doing something, and that’s a hard truth to swallow. We can’t spin that, no matter how hard we try. God is here. Among us. Disguised as an 8-year-old orphan with withered legs and a head flat as stone, and a year-old infant with half a face. They don’t speak, but we know what they are saying... “Will you help me? Will you offer me any bread?”

YOU CAN HELP

CHANGE A CHILD’S YOULIFE CAN HELP FOREVER! CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE FOREVER!

We are here to clothe, to feed, to love, to serve. It took the death of his beloved friend for Thomas to realize that it is through these doors that truth enters. May we all be an open door. For the sake of the least of these. COMING SOON TO YOUR AREA!

By Donna VanLiere |

Join Holt International & NewSong at

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to Promote Child Sponsorship!

Franklin, Tennessee COMING SOON TO YOUR AREA!

Join Holt International & NewSong at

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to Promote Child Sponsorship!

GIFTS OF HOPE

TOUR SPECTACULAR

Read Donna’s latest book, “The Christmas Note,” a story of forgiveness, hope and redemption. Visit donnavanliere.com for more information.

TOUR SPECTACULAR

Get FREE entry and a FREE CD when you volunteer to sign-up sponsors and pass out info at Winter Jam 2012! We need 100 volunteers at each concert – so bring a friend! Your 5-6 hour commitment can change a child’s life forever… For seven years running, Holt has teamed up with Christian music group NewSong to raise awareness of the thousands of homeless children overseas. In 2011, over 13,000 Winter Jam concertgoers said “YES” to sponsoring a child! This year, we’ve set our sights higher… Help us reach 15,000 sponsors – 300 at each concert! It’s easy and fun! Check to see if Winter Jam is coming to your town and sign up online at www.holtinternational.org/winterjam Email winterjam@holtinternational.org for more information. Rock the House with Holt and NewSong at Winter Jam 2012! SIGN Raise Your Voice for Children!

www.holtinternational.org/winterjam TODAY!

BE A VOLUNTEER

SIGN SIGN UP ONLINE AT: holtinternational.org/winterjam UP TODA Y!

BE A VOLUNTEER

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Go online to see how you can help children and families in India, and other countries Holt serves, through the Gifts of Hope catalog. www.holtinternational.org/gifts or browse through the catalog in this issue.

We Need Volunteers for Winter Jam 2012!

I Will Find You A Family When Lijen Lamb was 6 years old, Jian Chen made her a promise. “LiJen,” she said, “I will find you a family.” Three years later, she made good on that promise. Ten years later, Jian would play another significant, though unexpected, role in LiJen’s life. “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” – Chinese proverb Tacked to the wall in the office of Jian Chen, Holt’s director of programs for China, is a photo of 9 girls. None are sisters by birth, but some are sisters through adoption. Four of them once lived in the same orphanage in Nanchang. One is deaf. One is blind. One is the first child with a special need adopted through Holt from China. At the center stands a girl in a wedding dress. Beside her stands Jian, beaming. These girls are her life’s work. Jian first met LiJen Lamb, the bride, in the early 1990s. China had only recently opened for international adoption, and Jian’s career with Holt had only just begun. Often, when traveling on business, Jian would visit the orphanages Holt partnered with, meeting the children she would help find families for. On one visit to the Nanchang Orphanage, the director brought this shy little girl over to her. “If you ever want to help a child,” she said, “help this one.” A Canadian couple had recently adopted LiJen’s closest friends, and many of the children remaining at the orphanage had serious special needs. “She was the only one who could walk around,” says Jian. “She was very sad all the time.” The Canadian family had intended to adopt LiJen as well. “The staff there told me, ‘Oh, when you get adopted you can have all kinds of things – a family, they’ll love you. That it’s just this kind of magical place that you’ll feel like, ‘Oh, I’ll be loved,’” LiJen recalls. When her adoption fell through, she was devastated. With characteristic resolve, Jian told her, “LiJen, I will find you a family.” Although outwardly confident, Jian knew what she was up against. “It was very rare to adopt older children when she was adopted,” she says. Both now and then, most families wanted to adopt a healthy infant girl. And in the early 1990s, one thing China had in abundance was healthy infant girls needing families. At 6 years old, LiJen was past her prime for adoption. “Usually you’d see babies being adopted. So I thought, ‘Oh, my chances are kind of low,’” LiJen recalls.

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Jian came up with a plan. When in China, Jian often stayed in the same hotels as the adoptive families traveling to pick up their children. So Jian began taking LiJen along on her business trips. While Jian talked to the families, LiJen would sit quietly at her side, folding origami. “Parents started to ask, ‘Who is that little girl?’” Jian says. On one trip, a family asked to record LiJen on video. “They wanted to inspire other people at church to adopt kids,” LiJen says. Once home, the couple shared the video with their sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Jim DeLange. “We really hadn’t considered adoption because, especially at that time, you thought infants,” says Ann, who with three boys at home, felt done raising babies. “After seeing LiJen, my thought was, why shouldn’t we? God just took it the rest of the way from there.” Jian’s plan had worked. After three years of advocating for her, Jian had helped find a family for LiJen.

Although disappointed before, LiJen’s first hug from her father made it real for her. “He knelt down and really embraced me,” she says. “It was like, ‘Oh my Gosh, he’s not going to let me go.’” He never did. Not until the day LiJen decided to let go herself. During the summer of 2008, LiJen returned to China on a Holt heritage tour. Once again, she would travel with Jian. And once again, Jian would play matchmaker in LiJen’s life – this time, unintentionally. When the tour met up with adoptive families in Guangzhou, Jian spotted a girl she recognized from LiJen's same orphanage in Nanchang. Like LiJen, Ying had been housed with children who had severe special needs – many of them much older boys with cerebral palsy. “When I looked at her, she smiled, and I realized she had no mental problems,” says Jian of their first meeting. “She didn’t belong there.” Ying had serious needs, but they were all physical. Jian convinced the orphanage director to move her. “All this time I was trying to find a home for her,” says Jian. “When I saw her in the White Swan Hotel, I was in tears.” Ying was 5 when they met. She was adopted at 13.

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” – Chinese proverb Jian also recognized Ying’s parents, Steve and Cindy Lamb, who had adopted twice before. She introduced LiJen to Ying’s whole family, including Ying’s two college-age brothers, Josh and Dave. At Jian’s suggestion, LiJen later emailed the brothers, offering to help Ying with her transition. Josh responded immediately, and they started corresponding – she from Ohio, he from California. A year later, LiJen and Josh brought two Holt adoptive families together in marriage. “The bride’s parents said, ‘Jian, it’s all your fault! Twelve years ago, you connected us with LiJen and we said we would never let her go until she has her husband! It’s all your fault,’” Jian says, laughing. “Everyone in the whole party is connected. It’s everyone’s fault,” she quipped in response. Looking at the photo of 9 beautiful girls, all adopted, Jian says, “It’s like a red thread runs through all of these people – with humanity, love, care and religion.”

Opposite Page, Top: Jian Chen, Holt’s director of programs for China, with LiJen in China in 1996. Bottom: Ann and Jim DeLange with their daughter, LiJen, at age 9 in China. Top: Jian and LiJen on a Holt heritage tour of China in 2008. Bottom: LiJen, her cousin, sisters-in-law and friends on her wedding day. Eight of the girls were adopted from China, one from Thailand. Jian Chen stands at the center. From left: Miranda and Lilly Wolpert, Zana Ying Lamb, Kate Springstead, Jian Chen, Hope Springstead, LiJen Lamb, Ellie Dixon (LiJen’s cousin), Talia and Panida Lamb.

“There’s not really a great future for kids in the orphanage. I don’t think I would have been able to go to college… I wouldn’t have people who support me longterm,” she says. “I’m very blessed. I really love my family.”

Robin Munro | Senior Writer

Like us on Facebook to keep up-to-date on Holt happenings, country updates and read stories like this one!

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LiJen never asked Jian why of all the kids, she picked her to take on trips. But she felt incredibly special because of it. “I remember I had her full attention,” she says. “You don’t get that in the orphanage.” Without Jian’s help, LiJen believes she might still be where she found her almost 20 years ago. With few options, many older kids stay and work in the orphanage once they reach adulthood.

Graced by his Legacy Adoptees from the around the country come to Eugene, Oregon to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dr. David Kim Saturday, September 22, 2011. Approximately 300 people gathered in Eugene to celebrate the 80 th birthday of Dr. David H. Kim. Many of the guests were first generation adoptees coming from around the country to celebrate David. Some call themselves the “first wavers,” indicating they were the first wave of children who came to the U.S. to their adoptive families. I first met David Kim in Korea when I was 4 years old. He remembers that I was a little girl with a round face, sad eyes and hair that had been dyed coal back to make me look more Korean. My hair was in the process of growing out, and David recalls that the grow-outs “looked like there was a saucer on [my] head.” I knew David before I knew my mother and father. It was David who helped to fill in the blanks of my history that began in Korea. A history that was unknown to me. When I was growing up, I saw David a number of times, and his warm and generous personality was always a comfort to me. One of the most important blessings of my years at Holt has been to work with David, a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. His vision and commitment are contagious, and it is an honor to follow as he has led through adversity, challenges and victories on behalf of children. Much of what I believe about adoption and advocacy I learned from David. I’ve listened to him talk with passion about the needs of children and our responsibility to respond – and to respond with urgency. I’ve often heard David say, “If children have to wait until adults and governments agree on what should be done, the children will have white whiskers. They can’t wait.”

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David has pioneered motherland tours, heritage camps and the commitment to acknowledge the importance of culture and heritage for adoptees. He was a powerful and forceful advocate during the drafting of the Hague Convention on adoption, teaching that the life-long issues of adoption should be considered a priority. I am not alone in my regard for David Kim. Over the years, he has personally touched the lives of many of us. For those adoptees who have not had the good fortune to know David personally, you should know that your life has been graced by his life, by his efforts on your behalf. In a small way, we are all a legacy to the devotion and compassion of this extraordinary man. Happy Birthday, David Kim.

Susan Soonkeum Cox |

Vice President of Policy and External Affairs

“Children can’t wait,” says David Kim. You can respond to the urgent needs of children by giving a Gift of Hope to a child in need this Christmas. Go to www.holtinternational.org/gifts or look through the catalog in this issue.

Live Simply So that Others May Simply Live A Holt adoptee volunteers at Ilsan My name is Robert Daze and I am an adopted Korean-American. My heart was set on meeting my birth mother. The file had been opened and the first initial contact had been made. I signed up to volunteer at Holt Ilsan for the summer of 2011 in the hopes that I would be able to meet her while volunteering. The final puzzle pieces of my identity as an adopted KoreanAmerican would finally fall into place. Yet this meeting did not come to pass, for little did I know that something greater was in store. Recounting my experience in Korea will never give it complete justice, for human words cannot fully express the experience I had at Ilsan. It is one of those things that must be done in action – love in action. My volunteer duties consisted of various “activities” to engage the residents in mutual bonding moments. I often took the residents off the Holt premises and indulged their palettes with ice cream and Coke. Having my Bachelor’s degree in dance from Santa Clara University, I was asked to teach the residents a weekly dance class. I did everything I could to assimilate myself to their daily lives. Being a premedical student, I was asked to escort some of the residents to the local hospital. Coming face to face with some of the more severe cases of cerebral palsy and mental retardation opened my eyes to my future as a doctor. But more importantly, the experience I gained in Korea transcended that of medicine. I began to see the residents beyond the scope of their disabilities. The recognition of each person’s humanity and human dignity was the end-all for me. The sense of humility that became ingrained in my experience was instrumental in shaping my identity as a Korean-American – these were my people. My activities extended beyond the normal set schedule, as I could not part myself from the residents. The epiphany came when some of the younger male residents began to call me “older brother.” The hardest day for me was the day I boarded the plane back to the United States. It is a day I will never forget. The brother I never had, Gyu, wrote me a letter that stated, “Robert, my brother. Thank you. I love you. Come back soon.” Even in the simplest of sentences this message carried maturity far beyond his years. I left Ilsan crying, as one of my other brothers begged me not to leave. The relationships I built at Ilsan were not a consequence of my volunteer commitment. They were grounded in something deeper. I came to the realization that these people were not just residents at Holt – they were my family. A family who I was destined to meet. A family whose bonds will never be broken. A family who I will love forever. This trip was not about volunteering, but rather, a homecoming. I originally signed up for Holt to help others. Little did I know that this wish would not be fulfilled as I thought; for in coming to Korea, they were the ones that helped me. I may not have gotten what I wanted, but I got something I truly needed. When I got back home to America, my friends would praise me for my heroic deed of volunteering in Korea. But in fact, I was no hero. The true heroes are the men and women who work at Holt Ilsan. The works of charity and compassion exuded by the housemothers and staff are timeless examples of what it means to be selfless. They were the ones changing diapers, feeding the residents, cleaning up the messes – they are the ones fighting the good fight.

By Robert Daze | Santa Ana, California 11

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Even though every journey must come to an end, I rest assured that this was only a step towards something greater. A chapter of my life has been written—written by the ones I love. I came to Korea to find my mother, but instead I found my family. They have walked into my life and left their footprints on my heart. I am forever indebted to my family for helping me become the man I am today. I know I was meant to come to Ilsan. And I know that one day, I shall return. Till we meet again.

from the family To Karen, From China, With Love; The Fuzhou 10 We met in Hong Kong, in November of 1995. We were all soon-to-be adoptive parents, traveling to pick up our daughters in China. We thought that we would only know each other for the duration of our trip. But the Lord had a very different plan for our lives – a plan that would make us a family, forever. We were a group of ten families - nine of us Christian, one Jewish, all united by two common threads: the thread of one Father, and the thread of our daughters in China. In China, we very quickly received our daughters. Over the next few weeks, we bonded with our daughters as well as with each other. We did not realize then that God was forming a family of ten families – and a bond that’s stronger than blood. We imagined what questions our daughters might ask as they get older, and discussed how we would help them process their feelings. Soon, we realized we could support each other as our daughters grew, and our daughters could help one another as well. God’s plan was coming together. One evening, we decided to have a special service before our journey ended, and we all went our separate ways. Our pastor, Steve, prayed a special blessing over our daughters, our families and our trip home. Karen, being Jewish, wanted to pray a special Hebrew blessing upon our daughters, so she and her husband, Phil, sang a Jewish blessing for us. The service was truly beautiful, and the culmination of God’s recent work in our lives. As we sat in the crowded hotel room, Karen announced, “May, 2007! We will all meet in Cincinnati for Paulina’s Bat Mitzvah in May of 2007! Everyone is invited!” At that moment, imagining our baby girls as 12-year-olds was not in any of our thoughts – except for Karen’s. We decided to keep in touch through a Round Robin letter, including updates and pictures on our daughters. We thought this would be the extent of our relationship. With that, we felt satisfied, and journeyed back to our respective homes. However, once again, the Father had his hand on our lives. The Round Robin letter turned into a bi-annual family reunion. Every two years, we meet – both parents and daughters – near one of our homes. As time passed, we began discussing the possibility of taking our daughters back to visit their homeland. After about five years of prayer and discussion, we decided we’d need to go before our oldest girls entered college. We asked the girls what they wanted to do, since it was their journey this time. They narrowed the trip down to four things: spending some time working in an orphanage; visiting major sites in China; returning to Fuzhou; and visiting their birth cities. On June 23, 2011, we met in Chicago for our trip to China. After a year of preparation, it was finally a reality! We spent our first few days in Beijing, working at Shepherd’s Field Children’s Village, a Christian orphanage for special needs children. This was such a deeply moving experience for all of us. We talked, walked and played with children who are waiting for forever families, just as our girls waited so many years earlier.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / Fa l l 2011

Finally, we returned to Fuzhou, in Fujian Province, where 16 years earlier we adopted our girls. We stayed in the same hotel as before, and retraced our steps – this time, with our daughters walking beside us. From there, our journey took us back to our daughters’ orphanages, in Jian ‘Ou, Shaou Wu and Song Xi. As our group divided to visit the three orphanages, anxiety began to build for all of us. We were each going to a place that we had never seen before – a place our daughters had once called home, but had no memory of. At the orphanage, we met with the directors, and visited some of the children. The next day, we traveled back to Fuzhou to meet up with our group, and share our experiences. We all had been so blessed!

For memory’s sake, we then traveled to Guangzhou and visited the last few adoption stops. As we traveled back to the USA, we were all so thankful for our trip to China! We knew that God set this into motion many years ago, and He saw it to completion in July 2011, as we all returned safely home. None of us would have imagined that such an eclectic group of people would meet in a foreign land, spend nearly three weeks together, and become a forever family. But God did. He imagined, designed and set it into motion 16 years ago, and we are forever thankful for His guidance and direction in our lives. Sadly, Karen died of breast cancer in October of 2006. She did not get to see her daughter Paulina’s Bat Mitzvah. Many of us nevertheless traveled to support Paulina on her special day. We knew Karen would have been proud to know that we were there. Karen believed in family, and wanted us as her extended family. We may not have realized at the time how much we needed each other, but Karen did. She did not get to return to China with us, but she did go back a second time – to adopt her youngest daughter, Bayla. Both girls traveled with us on our return trip to China. Karen had a dream for us to be a family, and we have been a family – a family brought together by God and our Chinese daughters. Sixteen years ago, we all met in Hong Kong. Ten sets of parents, along with two grandmothers, one big sister, and a friend. We all came from various occupations, states, and situations. However, we now had three common threads: God, our Father, our Chinese daughters, and our Fuzhou Family. “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

Mindy Heitkamp |

Shiloh, Illinois

Places

Remembered

in the Heart

Holt Heritage Tours

www.holtinternational.org/tours

CONGRATULATIONS!

Class of 2011

Amich, Taylor

Armstrong, Christian

Bach, Nathaniel

Bockhorn, Ashley

Brand, Sirhianna

Bryan, Jillian

Busso, Elizabeth

Cassin, Julius

Catiggay, Alex

Cavendish, Mindy

Chow, Jade

Christie, Rachel

Chryst, Lynda

Cowan, Allison

Dahl, Evan

Davis, Robby

Dietsche, Thomas

DiTomaso, Patrick

Amich, Taylor— (Vietnam) Armstrong, Christian—Evansville, IN; service club, football, homecoming court. Plans to join the workforce until deciding on college or a career. (Korea) Bach, Nathaniel—Scotch Plains, NJ; select choir, men’s choir, track and field, church mission trips. Plans to major in crime and justice at Albright College in Reading, PA. (Korea) Bockhorn, Ashley—Steeleville, IL; cheerleading, Fellow Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America, art society. Plans to major in nursing at John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL. (India) Brand, Sirhianna—Madison, WI; Bharatanatyam (devotional, millennia-old, classical South Indian dance). Plans to major in international studies at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. (India) Bryan, Jillian—Sioux Falls, SD; National Honors choir. Plans to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings. (United States)

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / Fa l l 2011

Busso, Elizabeth—Bandon, OR; National Honor Society, jazz band, John Phillip Sousa Band award. Plans to major in art at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. (China)

Chow, Jade—Eugene, OR; cheerleading, photography, yearbook editor. Plans to study criminology at Lane Community College in Eugene. (China) Christie, Rachel—Des Moines, IA; Attending La Salle University. (Korea) Chryst, Lynda—E. Strondsburg, PA; journaling, piano, tennis, music competitions, drawing, playing piano for church services and youth group. Plans to major in piano performance at Ithaca College in New York. (China)

Catiggay, Alex—San Mateo, CA; 2nd degree black belt in Kung Fu, 3-time champion in martial arts, composes and plays piano. Plans to major in psychology at Loyola University in Chicago. (Philippines)

Cowan, Allison—Springfield, TN; B.S. in Communication from the University of Tennessee; HONORS: Order of Omega-Greek Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma-Honor Society, Hope Scholarship recipient, Mortar Board-National College Senior Honor Society, School of Advertising & Public Relations scholarship recipient, Cindy Britt Anderson Honorary Scholarship recipient. Plans on having a career in healthcare, public affairs or public relations. (United States)

Cavendish, Mindy—Beaufort, SC; M.S. in Speech/Language Pathology; Phi Kappa Phi. Plans to work with children with autism. (Korea)

Dahl, Evan—Brookings, SD; marching, concert and pep band. Plans to major in music or art at South Dakota State University. (Korea)

Cassin, Julius—Galloway, NJ; Plans to major in molecular biology and biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. (Korea)

Davis, Robby—Eugene, OR; soccer (sophomore & junior year), International High School, International Baccalaureate candidate. Plans to major in business administration & sports marketing at the University of Oregon in Eugene. (Korea) Dietsche, Thomas—Albany, NY; tennis (Raider award, Scholar Athlete award and Varsity letter), violin, fitness training, high Honor Roll, President’s award for outstanding academic excellence, Presidential/Dean’s scholarship. Plans to major in biology at Siena College in Loudonville, NY. (Korea) DiTomaso, Patrick—Simi Valley, CA; Graduated from Village Glen High School. Plans to attend Moorpark college, and may join the National Guard. (Korea) Erb, Maria—Burlington, VT; Master's degree in Education from University of Vermont, emphasis in interdisciplinary studies – higher education, leadership/counseling; 4.0, Pi Gamma MU International Honor Society in Social Sciences. Currently the assistant director of the ALANA student center, University of Vermont. (Korea) Evanowski, Emily—Beachwood, NJ; orchestra, tennis, St. Barnabas B.A.T.S., High Honor Roll, TREA scholarship, South Toms River Elementary School scholarship, Fr. Rucki scholarship. Plans to major in illustration/art therapy at School of Visual Arts in New York City. (Korea)

Erb, Maria

Evanowski, Emily

Froese, Tanner

Grise, Joshua

Hale, Lydia

Hall, Lauren

Hall, Sylvia

Halverson, Grace

Halverson, Isaac

Hodge, Whitney

Holm, Julia

Juengel, Micah

Kerr, Marie Lin

Klein, Isadora

Kostner, Lindsay

Lehmann, Benjamin

Lohuis, Christina

Lohuis, Janice

Lohuis, Joseph

Martin, Melanie

McCall, Jordan

McPeak, Elizabeth

Miller, Benjamin

Norris, Caleb

Froese, Tanner—Athena, OR. B.S. in English with emphasis in journalism, minor in biblical studies from Corban University. Magna Cum Laude. Sports editor for Hill Top news, active in sports, outreach for youth “salt," editor for College Web News, 4-year Ford scholar. Studied abroad in Germany for a semester. (Korea) Grise, Joshua—Lexington, KY; Graduated with high distinction, cultural society, violin, erhu. Plans to attend Pitzer College. (Korea)

Hall, Lauren—Bellevue, NE; Planning to attend University of Nebraska in Omaha. (Korea) Hall, Sylvia—Bellevue, NE; B.A. in Art History from University of Nebraska. (Korea) Halverson, Grace—Grovetown, GA; National Honor Society, Beta club, French club, art club, varsity volleyball, track and cheerleading, cotillion dance club, chorale, art museum teen council,

Halverson, Isaac—Grovetown, GA; National Honor Society, Beta club, drama, chorale, debate team, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking, extreme Taekwondo (also instructor), Latin club, Science Olympiad, youth group and camp counselor. Plans to study pre-law at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. (Korea) Hodge, Whitney—Williamsburg, KY; cheerleading, art club, UNITE club, National Honor Society, student government, colonel pride award, visual art award. Plans to major in biology & premed at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. (Korea) Holm, Julia—Brookings, SD; choir, competitive dance, FFA. Plans to major in equine management at Ellsworth Community College. (China) Juengel, Micah—Tulsa, OK; National Honor Society, student government, soccer, band, cross country, academic team. Plans to major in international business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. (Korea) Kerr, Marie Lin—Cedar Hill, TX; B.S. in Business Administration, emphasis in international business from Northwood University in Cedar Hill, golf scholarship, golf (4 years in NAIA division). Currently living in the Netherlands. (China)

Klein, Isadora—Colfax, CA; Collaboration of the Fine Arts-ballet & violin, mixed martial arts & Taekwondo. Plans to attend college for ASL. She currently has a massage business called “Hands of Mercy.” (Romania) Kostner, Lindsay—Merritt Island, FL; varsity soccer, varsity track, Best Citizen, 2010 4A all-state girl’s soccer first team, 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community award, mission trips to Nepal, Thailand, Ethiopia and Egypt, Take Stock in Children scholarship. Plans to major in health/exercise science and/or physical education at Bryan College in Dayton, TN. (Philippines) Lehmann, Benjamin—Sonora, CA; film, photography, ROP medical. Plans to major in fine arts at Columbia College in Columbia, CA. (Korea) Lohuis, Christina—Gettysburg, PA; track & field, National Arts Honor Society. Plans to major in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell Vision Academy in Ambler, PA. (Korea) Lohuis, Janice—Erdenheim, PA; Associate's degree in photography. 1st place and Best of Show in photography contest for Fall 2010. Plans to pursue a career in graphic design. (Korea)

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .or g

Hale, Lydia—Eugene, OR; International High School graduate, French immersion with local & state honors, Drama Thespian (1st in State), concert choir (2nd in State), captain of Petanque team, National Honor Society, International Baccalaureate, outstanding senior research paper award. Plans to major in international relations at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. (Korea)

church vocalist. Plans to major in international business/marketing at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. (Korea)

Peters, Kyle

Phillips, Megan

Pratt, Anthony

Raecker, Anne Elizabeth Rathkey, Daniel

Shepard, Myles

Soule, Rebekah

Spino, Tyler

Stiles, Kori

Stillwell, Melissa

Scoggin, Elizabeth

Stolz, Holly

Stillwell, Melissa—Walnut Creek, CA; B.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise and Movement Sciences. (Philippines) Stolz, Holly—Lincoln, NE; varsity cheerleader. Plans to major in esthetics at College of Hair Design in Lincoln. (Vietnam) Stone, Wendy—Days Creek, OR; class salutatorian, student body president, track, cross-country, soccer (co-captain). Plans to major in sociology/social services at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. (Guatemala) Stone, Wendy

Swearingen, Lisa

Lohuis, Joseph—Gettysburg, PA; varsity basketball captain, VP, NHS, Heart of a Warrior scholarship. Plans to major in secondary education/history at Lock Haven University in PA. (Korea) Martin, Melanie—Raleigh, NC; varsity soccer (captain, MVP, all tournament), varsity basketball (captain), varsity volleyball. Plans to major in hospitality & tourism management at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. (Thailand) McCall, Jordan—Nevada, MO; 4-year letterman in tennis, MVP in 2011. Plans to major in construction technology at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri. (Thailand) McPeak, Elizabeth—Mickleton, NJ; Master's of Music degree in violin performance from Temple University in Philadelphia. Assistant Director for the summer 2011 Holt adoptee camp. Plans to attend Columbia University’s post-graduate program. (Korea) Miller, Benjamin—Mt. Juliet, TN; Graduated with honors, student government, plays keyboard in Christian rock band “Skyhook,” won many awards in fine arts competitions, playing shows for youth events in TN and other states. (Korea)

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / Fa l l 2011

Norris, Caleb—Cumming, GA; Eagle Scout, JROTC 1st lieutenant, company executive officer, Raider team captain. Plans to major in international affairs at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, GA. (Thailand) Peters, Kyle—Ida Grove, IA; Mock Trials, recipient of 2 scholarships from the Western Iowa Tech Community College, scholarship from local high school. Plans to major in general studies at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. (Korea) Phillips, Megan—Lebanon, OR; B.S. in exercise sport science, pre-therapy allied health option from Oregon State University in Corvallis. National Society of Collegiate Scholars, cheerleading and dance (4 years). Plans to attend nursing school. (United States) Pratt, Anthony—Keizer, OR; football, baseball, track, Honor Roll, DECA, weightlifting club. Plans to major in law enforcement at Western Oregon University in Keizer. (Korea)

Syring, Andrew

Valderrama, Jeremy

Raecker, Anne Elizabeth—Cedar Falls, IA; swimming, orchestra, band, junior leadership, Harmony Diversity, church and mission projects. Plans to major in music business at Elmhurst College in IL. (Korea) Rathkey, Daniel—Portland, OR; varsity cross country, National Honor Society, President’s award for academic excellence. Plans to major in biology at Santa Clara University in CA. (Korea) Scoggin, Elizabeth—Edinburg, TX; National Honor Society, Technology Student Association, National TSA Gold award, Business Professionals of America, feature editor of school newspaper, science club, art club, graduated as distinguished student, perfect attendance. Plans to major in biology at University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg. (China)

Swearingen, Lisa—Ooltewah, TN; soccer, Beta Club, National Honor Society. Plans to major in exercise science in Athens, TN. (Korea) Syring, Andrew—Kearney, NE; theatre, speech, mock trials, vocal music, Eagle Scout. Plans to major in law/theatre lighting at Wayne State College in NE. (Korea) Valderrama, Jeremy—San Jose, CA; theatre, soccer, Taekwondo, Honor Roll, fire explorers program, Guatemala missions trips, City Team worship band. Currently employed as a gymnastics coach, plans to attend West Valley College in Saratoga, CA. (Philippines) Vermeulen, Elaina—Sterling, MA; National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Model UN, Young Democrats, lacrosse, soccer, Quest Christian leadership team. Plans to major in international relations/global poverty at Elon University in NC. (Korea)

Shepard, Myles—Elk Grove, CA; B.A. in environmental studies & biology from California State University–Sonoma Bible study and music team leader for Intervarsity on campus. Plans to complete a mission trip to Guatemala with Intervarsity. (Korea)

VerNisie, Rory—Forth Worth, TX; JROTC, top band wind ensemble, baseball, soccer, chess club, Adopt-a-Street program volunteer, Holt International volunteer, Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Will join the Air Force ROTC regiment at Texas Christian University, studying engineering at TCC—Central Fort Worth, TX. (Korea)

Soule, Rebekah—Bloomville, NY; soccer, basketball, peer tutor, yearbook, honor student. Plans to major in social sciences/social work at Herkimer County Community College in N.Y. (India)

Wankowicz, Leslie—Phoenix, AZ; National Honor Society, national Spanish honors, 4-year varsity lacrosse. Plans to attend University of Arizona in Phoenix. (Korea)

Spino, Tyler—Pennsville, NJ; marching band, concert/pep band, Honor Society, Golden Eagles, multicultural club, REBEL, LMTI club, State of NJ Epilepsy Foundation scholarship, marching band monetary award, School to Careers academic scholarship, UCB Epilepsy USA national scholarship. Plans to major in business administration/accounting at Salem Community College and Wilmington University in Carneys Point and New Castle, NJ. (Korea)

Young, Christine—Norcross, GA; varsity basketball, varsity softball, director-class film, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Beta Club, Kenya missions trip, Mexico missions trip, autism advocate, All County Academic team, President’s List, Dale Carnegie Vision Award, Special Olympics. Plans to major in radio, television and film at University of Texas in Austin. (Korea)

Stiles, Kori—Anthem, AZ; top 10 of class in International Baccalaureate program, goft & soccer (all-region), selected for girl’s state team. Plans to major in biology/pre-med at Fresno Pacific University in CA. (China)

Zava, June—Germantown, TN; bowling team, CLICK (Christ Living in Christian Kids), Key Club, Spanish club, FCCLA (Family Careers Community Leaders of America, Young Life). Plans to major in early childhood development and attend Southwest Community College. (Korea)

Vermeulen, Elaina

VerNisie, Rory

Wankowicz, Leslie

Young, Christine

Zava, June

Accepting Who I am A high school graduate shares her college entrance essay Kindergarten students are cruel. Just down right vicious.

affects social interac-

However, in their defense, they most likely do not mean to be.

tion and communica-

They are just being brutally honest. I can personally attest

tion skills. Other kids

to this. The memories of my own kindergarten days are still

were harsh and unwill-

vivid — snack time, naptime, circle time and a kid named

ing to accept his dif-

Bobby. We were gathering our belongings by the backpack

ferences. I despise the

cubbies. Bobby was shorter than me, with a lot of guts. As

hardships my brother

we were getting our backpacks, he looked up at me, pulling

experienced. I still do

the corners of his eyes skinny to match my almond-shaped

not

eyes. I felt weird; no one had ever made fun of me before. It

people have to fit a social mold to be accepted.

was then that I realized I did not look like my peers. Yes, I did

The impact of being Asian in a Caucasian culture and hav-

“know” I was different, but I did not know that my differences

ing a brother with autism causes me to see life differently.

were “funny” to others. Bobby was just stating the obvious.

I am keenly aware of students in my school who march to

He merely characterized the differences between my peers

the beat of a different drummer. I have compassion for them

and I. Their eyes were not almond-shaped, their hair was not

and want to understand their view of life. In so doing, I not

black, and their skin was not brown. I was an adopted mem-

only learn about them, but I learn more about myself. By

ber of society. And for this, I resented my heritage.

expanding my social circles, I expand my understanding of

My biological Korean parents were engaged when I made a

the world.

surprise appearance onto this earth. They gave me up for

Because of my hardships and struggles, I can confidently

adoption right away, and I was adopted into a very southern,

say that I have a passion for combating society’s ignorance.

Caucasian family in Georgia at the age of four months. I

My life’s lessons have shown me that single-minded think-

was raised speaking only English, yet I was treated differ-

ing and influence does not create a healthy world. I know

ently because of my looks. Other than the ink on my birth

what it means to be different and I know what it means to

certificate, I had never had any connection to Korea. I have

be misunderstood. I have learned to accept who I am instead

sometimes wished I could fit in and be like all the other

of always looking to be something I am not. Because of this,

kids who matched their parents on annual Christmas cards.

I have learned to think differently and to view deeper into

Why couldn’t I look on the outside the same way I felt on the

others instead of judging them based on surface appear-

inside?

ances. Because of my life’s journey, I believe I am uniquely

Kindergarten kids not only ridicule physical attributes, but

equipped to contribute to the diverse learning environment

mental and social differences as well. My brother has autism

at the University of Texas.

understand

Christine and her brother, Sean.

why

that everyone picked on. This enraged me. My brother has always had trouble making friends. Autism is a disorder that

Christine Young | Norcross, Georgia

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .or g

and often appears socially inept. In school, he was “that kid”

updates Les Whittle Retires If you’ve adopted a child from China, you may have had the pleasure of meeting Les Whittle. A

popular member of Holt’s overseas China staff, Les began his career with Holt in 1994, helping to escort adoptive families from Hong Kong to Nanning to meet their children. “We met Les and his wife, Vivienne, for coffee when we arrived in China,” says Everett Stiles, father of the first Holt adoptee from China, Kori. “He was and is a competent and caring man.” Les began his retirement in October. Accompanying many families on their adoption journeys, Les has always been appreciated for his insight into the adoption process, as well as his sense of humor and ability to relieve the apprehension of anxious new parents. “Whenever Holt’s China team or adoptive families reminisce about how far Holt’s China program has grown from its early beginnings, stories about Les inevitably will be retold,” says

Lisle Veach, international coordinator for China. “From his position as China Country Director in 1996, to supporting and advising our staff and adoptive families—no matter the capacity—he has served children and families all these years, always representing the very best of Holt.” The entire Holt staff wishes Les and his wife well as they begin this next chapter of their lives. We will always be grateful for him, and his selfless service to Holt’s children and families. “I’m really at a loss,” says Stiles. “Les is a wonderful man. He gave adoptive families a sense of calm as they traveled through an unknown country. It was great to have that kind of individual to comfort us. If Les is ever needed at Holt again, I’m sure he will certainly answer the call. He’s just that kind of person.” Les (far right) with the rest of the Holt China team.

California

od neighborho calendar

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Georgia

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Wisconsin

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p for lt Adoptee Cam , Hampton—Ho ) 12 26 20 ly 7, Ju -2 is 23 p ly Ju ar s old (Day Cam adoptees 9-16 ye

Iowa

optee Camp for oboji—Holt Ad Ok , 12 20 6, -2 p is July 25) July 22 ar s old (Day Cam adoptees 9-16 ye

Nebraska

fit chilAuction to bene Gala Dinner and – La s a— ite ah Su Om y , ss 12 ba 20 April 21, utheast Asia. Em So in re ca s lt’ dren in Ho Vista. 5:30 PM

New Jersey

tee Camp for 11—Holt Adop st 9) August 5-10, 20 ay Camp is Augu (D d ol ar s adoptees 9-16 ye

Oregon

to benefit er and Auction gene — Gala Dinn ne Hilton Eu ge , Eu 12 e 20 Th 4, . ia ry Februa in Southeast As re ca s lt’ Ho in children Hotel. 5:30 PM

Get the Info

at ac t: Steve Kalb formation cont in p m Ca e te op For Holt Ad or go to: ernational.org stevek@holtint mp /ca rg l.o na tio w w w.holtinterna ichael Tessier at ation contac t: M rm fo in p m Ca y or go to: For Da nternational.org michaelt@holti dayc amp.shtml m tional.org/ca p/ na er nt lti ho w. w w ndi Mehl at ation contac t: Sa For Events inform ernational.org sandim@holtint ion contac t: e Tour informat l.org For Holt Heritag holtinternationa ina tour s: lislev@ Ch r fo h ac Ve l.org le na Lis holtinternatio a tour s: katyb@ re Ko r fo rt ga Katy Bo Adoptee tour: any Korea Adult th Be ltHo r fo r Kour tni Rade ernational.org kortnir@holtint

w a it ing c h il d re n “Darren,” China

Bor n, 07.20.06

Darren

These and other children need adoptive families “Jason," Nor theast Asia Bor n, 02.03.07

This delightful, extrover ted little boy This adorable little boy with a great currently lives with a foster fam ily. While smile was born at 34 weeks. He was diaginitially shy when meeting new people, nosed with Dow n syndrome at birt h and Dar ren war ms up to them very quickly. has a VSD and ASD of his hear t for which He loves to smile, play with toys and he received surgery in 2007. That same dance. Diag nosed with spin al meningoyear, Jason was transfer red from a foster cele, a form of spina bifida, Dar ren had family to a care center. His hou semother reparative surgery in 2006. He recently reports that he always wak es up smilentered kindergarten and kno ws how to ing. Jason receives early edu cation and count from 1 to 100. He also knows a musical, physical and spee ch therapy. few simple English words. Dar ren folThis amazing little boy need s a family lows directions well, can dres s himself comfortable with his diag nosi s and who and brush his teet h. He’s a pick y eater. can prov ide him with any ther apies or His favorite food is dumplings. This cutie med ical care that he may need . Elig ibility needs a family who is comfort able caring requirements may be flex ible. Read more for his physical needs and can prov ide about Jason, here: http://ho ltinternahim with a loving environment in which tion al.org/blog/ 2011 /08/ wha t-gr and mato grow and develop. would-have-loved

“Naomi,” Southeast Asia

Bor n, 06.26.05

Naomi

Like us on Facebook to keep up-to-date on Holt happenings, country updates and information about the Waiting Child of the Week!! Scan the code to get there on your mobile device.

Naomi star ted school in 2011 and is said to be a very bright child. She, however, lacks self-conf idence and need s a lot of encouragement. Naomi is HIV-positive and is respond ing well to med ication. She is described by her caregivers as generous and caring and is mostly inde pendent in her self care needs. The righ t family will understand the med ical and social ramificat ions of HIV, and be able to advocate appropriately. In add ition, they will need to be very patient with the transition home. She will need a calm, understanding and encourag ing family to help her thrive.

Jason

Scan the code to read more about Jason on your mobile device.

For more information on adopting these and other waiting children, contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild/photolisting

Post Office Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402

Change Ser vice Reques ted

year of

SMILES... 2012

ONLY $10

(price includes shipping)

Order yours online today at: holtinternational.org/calendar The 2012 Holt International calendar features adopted children from around the world. Every calendar you purchase will benefit children who still need families of their own.