Conflict Minerals.

One of the greatest benefits up to this point, outside of the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, has been educating ourselves on the Democratic Republic of Congo and it's people. Many have expressed interest in the continuing issues that plague this nation. The video posted below will help connect the dots in regard to rebel groups and how they exploit natural resources and the people of Congo to build up weapons caches that perpetuate the cycle of violence and control in the DRC. I will adamantly state, that I do not agree with the assumption in this video that Americas insatiable appetite for technology and electronics has anything to do with furthering this conflict. The responsibility falls on the Congolese government and international peace keeping organizations to make sure the proper supply chains for precious mineral distribution are secure and free-flowing. When these channels are disrupted by militant / rebel groups, as they currently are, we must continue to develop a checks and balances system (see Conflict Minerals Trade Act) that keep the mineral wealth from ending up in the hands of those who fund the violence. We have a responsibility to do our part, but anyone who thinks America is a direct source of the problem is clearly mislead.

Currently Julie and I are doing our best to raise dollars to move our adoption process forward. The first step is completing a "home study".  The home study costs approximately $1,700 to administer and it serves three purposes: to educate and prepare the adoptive family for adoption, to gather information about the prospective parents that will help a social worker / adoption agency match the family with a child whose needs they can meet, and to evaluate the fitness of the adoptive family.

As we begin the home study we hope to be a source of information for those that are soon to adopt a child of their own. The blog should become much more active in the weeks to come. We thank God for his provision and opening new doors as we continue this process.

The journey continues.