CEO Blog

I am posting this from San Salvador.  I am flying home today after a very successful trip.   While I was here I met with new staff at both the Procurador’s Office and OPA.  One of the really exciting things that came up in our time together is the desire of these officials to be processing more orphan’s paperwork.  They want to work with partners to see this process happen faster and smoother.  I am hopeful that with new leadership at ISNA and OPA a more efficient and effective system can be made to help move these children through El Salvador’s child welfare system.  Your prayers for the leadership of OPA, the Procurador’s Office and ISNA are greatly appreciated.

America World will be working with a new staff person in El Salvador.  We are transitioning from working with Alexis to a new staff person, Jamie Arritea.  Mr. Arritea is a lawyer by training and has some experience working with adoption in the past.  Not only does he come highly recommended to our agency by child welfare advocates in El Salvador, but he shares our Christian commitment to finding families for orphans.  We wish Alexis and his family the very best on their future endeavors. 

There is also a change in the staffing at China’s adoption authority, the CCAA. The long-time Director-General, Mr. Lu, is going to be working for China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.  The new Director-General will be Mr. Zhang Shifeng.  Mr. Zhang has worked in China’s child welfare system for a long time and is familiar with inter-country adoption.  America World expects that this transition will be very smooth, without any complications or changes for our families.  We look forward to continuing to partner with the CCAA and wish Mr. Lu the best for his future at the Ministry of Civil Affairs.  We found Mr. Lu very support of child welfare in our countries and are glad to know that he is maintaining a role in the child welfare system within China.

I’m leaving beautiful El Salvador for cold, windy, rainy Virginia.  Next week some of our staff will be participating strategic planning and budgeting for 2010.  Your prayers are coveted as we plan and seek the Lord’s will for our agency.

A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.  -Proverbs 16:9

— Brian Luwis, CEO