My Beautiful OrchidPDF VersionFew population control policies have caused more suffering than China's One-Child policy. Implemented in 1979 by Deng Xiaoping, it was intended to address China's very real overpopulation problem. Unfortunately, it was based on flawed science and a severe lack of understanding of the hardships it imposed on rural peasants, and despite some concessions during the 80's, was implemented with an iron fist. One of its more disturbing consequences was widespread abandonment of infant girls by couples who for cultural or financial reasons, wanted sons. In August of 2003 my wife Audrey and I adopted our beautiful daughter Claire Lan Du, whose name Lan means "orchid". This is the story of my journey to fatherhood, interwoven with a discussion of the One-Child policy and infant abandonment in China.

Laura Christianson's Adoption SiteLaura Christianson, who attends my church in Seattle, is a well-known adoption author and speaker. Her adoption blog (accessible from this site) was voted Best Adoption Blog in the United States by Forbes magazine. A wealth of information on domestic and international adoption can be found here along with opportunities for those considering adoption to obtain expert advice and find networks of other like-minded people.

Great Wall China AdoptionsBased in Austin, TX Great Wall specializes in adoptions of abandoned girls from China. They have an extensive in-country network and working relationships with China’s Social Welfare Institutes (orphanages). This is the agency my wife and I went through to get our daughter Claire Lan Du. The experience was life changing and Great Wall was on top of everything. I cannot recommend them, or Chinese adoption enough.

World Association for Children & Parents (WACAP)Founded in 1976 by a group of adoptive parents, WACAP is one of the largest and most experienced international nonprofit adoption and child assistance agencies in the United States. They place children from several overseas countries with adoptive families and provide medical, educational and financial aid to needy children. They have an on online Application for Adoption here.

Holt InternationalA Christian international adoption agency based in Eugene, OR that has been placing foreign orphans in families for over 50 years. They also maintain institutional, educational, and childcare programs overseas to help foreign adoptees adjust to their adopted families. Several of my best friends have children from Korea, China, and other nations that adopted through Holt.