Christian Family Adoptions (CFA) is a private adoption agency affiliated with the North Pacific Union Conference. Since 1958, the agency has assisted with the complex process of adoption, placing hundreds of children with caring and loving families.
In the United States, there are currently at least 500,000 children in the foster care system, and of these children, more than 100,000 are waiting to be adopted. Many people are unaware of the reality behind these figures and what a significant mission field adoption is. The Gospel calls us to answer the call: “Real religion is taking care of orphans…” (James 1:27).
In addition to the standard adoption, CFA also assists with the adoptions of special-needs children available through state foster care. Currently in Oregon and Washington, there are more than 1,200 children with special needs. While many infants are included in this group, most special-needs children are 5 years of age or older and have at least one of the following characteristics: 1) brothers and/or sisters waiting for adoptions with them, 2) physical/emotional/mental challenges, or 3) ethnic/racial/cultural minority status.
Adopting a child with special needs takes just the right family. Steve and Vicki Hopmann are one of those families. About two years ago they thought their family was complete, having already adopted five children. Then one fall morning they discovered Michael, Brianna and Ericka—three special-needs children whose photo was in a newspaper. Vicki remembers saying, “..these kids look like they belong to our family!”
Their desire to adopt again became a matter of much prayer for their family as well as close friends, and the journey began. After waiting for a while, in early August 2005, CFA had good news for the Hopmann’s—they were selected as the adoptive family for Michael, Brianna and Ericka! Vicki remembers this thrilling time and how wonderful it was to welcome home the newest members of their family, “…I could hardly take it all in—going from a newspaper picture to real children, I was so awestruck!”
Jesus said, “I’ve come to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) and we at CFA believe that it is “God [who] sets the lonely in families” (Psalms 68:6). It is our privilege to grow Christian families, one child at a time.
It was a happy moment for Steve, Vicki and two of their other children during the courthouse adoption ceremony for Michael, Brianna and Ericka.
The entire Hopmann family was together for the holidays, which included their newest members Michael, Brianna and Ericka (front left).
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