What Makes Fields of Promise Unique?

Is there an advantage to working with Fields of Promise? Good question!  We believe that Fields of Promise has some wonderful advantages to consider for your family, church or community small group as you consider supporting us or learning about our adoptable children.

First, our SINGLE FOCUS on the country of Ethiopia is our strength. Having lived in this country for a year and spent time getting to know the culture and the people, we believe that the programs we have put together are very stable.  We wholeheartedly trust the indigenous NGO and their staff that we have chosen to partner with, and we believe you will be thrilled to know where your funds are going once you see these organizations up close.  

Secondly, our HUMANITARIAN/MINISTRY focus makes us unique.  TOur goal is to fund effective humanitarian programs that are Kingdom-focused.  The NGO with whom we've partnered is ministry-minded, focusing on the spiritual needs of the Ethiopian people as well as the physical needs.  We believe we are supporting the very work that God has put in our path.  When you adopt one of the children from our homes, you can be assured that at least $3000 of your adoption fees will be directed toward these humanitarian efforts.  We are not directing a small portion of our funds to development projects as part of our obligation in order to place children for adoption.  We are directing the bulk of our  annual revenues to the programs and staff in Mekelle and surrounding areas.  Our development work in Ethiopia remains our primary focus.  We are able to do this since we have no salaried staff in the U.S. and very little overhead.  We would be happy to show you our record of financial giving to the various NGO's and projects since 2006.  For some families, knowing that as much of their adoption fees as possible are being used to make a difference in people's lives in Ethiopia is very important.

In addition, our PASSION FOR PLACING WAITING CHILDREN is worth noting.  Our experience living in northern Ethiopia was that there are not a large number of orphaned babies needing homes in Ethiopia.  The orphanages, care homes and sponsorship programs are filled with children ranging in age from 4 to 18.  When parents die in Ethiopia, they leave behind sibling groups and older children, and occasionally a young child.  It is our passion as an organization that Ethiopian adoptions would reflect this reality.  You can rest assured that as a humanitarian organization, neither we nor the NGO's with whom we partner will be seeking out babies who are already being cared for in a mother’s arms.  When a mother comes to our staff complaining of poverty,  we believe the best resource we can offer her is job training or sponsorship assistance, so she can keep her child.  As a humanitarian organization, we will work with the children who God places in our path, one child at a time, seeking to recruit families for these who are the most needy.  If your family’s number one priority is finding as young an infant as possible, then Fields of Promise has very little to offer you.  If, however, your heart is open to considering a child that is a bit older, or may have a sibling or two, or a special need, then we would love to hear from you!

One of our guiding scriptures is James 1:27, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  The Message puts it this way, "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this:  Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."  We believe that at this time, the best way for us to guard against corruption as an orphan ministry, is to focus on the most needy, those who are full orphans or have absolutely no other option, rather than striving to meet the demands of most adoptive parents.  Thank you for understanding and respecting our position!

Finally, we believe that the PERSONALIZED SERVICE you will receive from our agency will be like a breath of fresh air.  We know all of our children by name, and when you commit to adopting them, we know about your family as well.  We consider your family to be part of our ministry team ministering to these children!  When you call or email, you won’t be one of hundreds or even thousands that we are working with, you will be one of a very small handful of families that will be known to us by name.  We will work only with Christian families who provide a pastoral reference.  We will provide personalized, professional service. We will keep you WACAP informed throughout the process so that you do not feel without hope.  Adopting a child from one of our homes should be a rewarding experience that leaves you more familiar with Ethiopia, equipped to handle the child that God has for you, and feeling as if you are part of our ministry team.

Most importantly, we trust that God knows exactly who the families will be for the children He has placed in our path, and we eagerly wait to watch Him do the work needed to put the two together!