I left for the Summit on Wednesday morning, flying out of the little airport in our neighboring town.  I was in Seattle, feeling airsick from turbulence, a mere fifty minutes after take off.  My dear friend, Marybeth met me there, and the flight to Minneapolis went by quickly as we chatted and then slept a bit.  We arrived a few hours before the rest of the From HIV to Home ladies, so we stopped by the Mall of America to see if I could find a dress for Mimi’s wedding.  I’m not much of a shopper, and it felt a bit odd to be in “retail heaven” on the way to the Orphan Summit, so we gave up after a bit.

We met the rest of the staff at 7:00.  It is a fascinating thing to meet people you know from their blogs and photos, and whose voices you hear over the phone in staff meetings.  Jennifer and I have met before, but I hadn’t met Brianna or Abbey.  It took, oh twenty seconds or so, and then it seemed like we had always known each other.

With only two days for the Summit, each General Session was packed with interesting speakers.  Two of my favorite speakers the first morning were Doug Sauder with 4 Kids of South Florida, who spoke about foster care ministry, and Tom Davis with Children’s Hopechest who spoke with conviction about the tragedy of sex trafficking of vulnerable children.

The first Breakout Session I attended was Karyn Purvis, Giving Voice to the Orphan.  I expected it to be much like the talks I have seen her give on videos, but she spoke on a more deeply spiritual level. Dr. Purvis was wonderful, of course, and I was thankful to see her teach in person.  I suggested that next year she teach a session for “Traumatized Adoptive Parents” she only chuckled…but I was serious!

After lunch I attended Breakout Session: Adoption of HIV+ Orphans and Other Special Needs.  It was wonderful seeing our friends from Project Hopeful and all of the people who crowded into the room to learn more about adopting these children.

I also attended  a Breakout called Adoption and Orphans: Grief and Loss by Kris Faasse from Bethany Christian Services.  It was an excellent session as well and I was impressed with the speaker’s knowledge.

The evening session was one of the highlights of the entire Summit.  Mary Beth Chapman spoke about their life, how they became involved in adoption, and the loss of their little girl in a tragic accident.  She was so transparent and so “normal” in the way she addressed the audience, and spoke of her grief.  Then Steven Curtis Chapman sang and we all cried.  I feel blessed to have experienced that evening.

I just learned that CD’s of the sessions will be available from Christian Alliance for Orphans and I plan to get a copy of the evening with the Chapmans.

More soon.

~Lisa

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VI – Day 2