First info packets

SO excited to get our first info packets from the two agency we will be looking into - AGCI and AWAA (American World Adoption Agency). We requested the AGCI packet three weeks ago but never got it so I'm about to request again and we are getting the AWAA in 3-5 business days. I also looked up seminars but could only find one near Dallas. Heard from someone at AWAA and he told me they will have their schedule up soon and should have one in SA this Spring.

So cool... in corresponding with Sara Matheny about their adoption process, I asked her about the two agencies above and she said those were the two they were looking at using as well. They are going to be using AGCI and I wanted to remember this list of reasons because they are awesome and will give me something to base my research and questions for other agencies. They really seem to have a heart for orphans and taking care of them as well as possible while they are waiting for their forever families.

There are several reasons AGCI is our favorite agency:


1) They're mission is bigger than just adoption.....they are about orphan care. They take care of the ones that don't get adopted, too.

2) In several countries they have their own orphanages. That way you know your child has been cared for and loved in those months that you're waiting to get them. In watching some "gotcha day" videos from AGCI, you can just see how much those caretaker women love those children. Other agencies might get your child from a government run orphanage where, in some cases, there are too many children in the orphanage to be properly cared for and loved.

3) They offer other options for mothers, like sponsorship. That gives me comfort in knowing that they didn't manipulate the birth mother into giving up her child, but if possible, offered her other options. Then I know their babies are there because they truly need to be adopted.

4) When Guatemala put a hold on adoption, many adoption agencies left because they could no longer work there. AGCI stayed because there are still children who need to be taken care of, even if they can't get adopted. I love that they are not about the business of adoption but about taking care of orphans. Sadly, there is a difference.