1. CCAICIRCLE
ADOPTEEN AND MORE
Know your post adoption options (p. 12)
2017 HERITAGE
TOUR DATES
FUNDRAISING TIPS
For an affordable adoption (p. 6)
21 KIDS! BUT WHO’S
COUNTING?
The story of two empty-nesters’
decision to adopt (p. 10)
OLDER CHILD
ADOPTION
One CCAI mom shares the
struggles and blessings (p. 14)
Mabel,
Group 2218
2016
EDITION

2. On April 4, 2016, CCAI co-founders Lily
and Josh had the honor to visit with
Ms. Gao Xiaobing, newly-appointed
deputy minister of the Chinese Minis-
try of Civil Affairs, the highest govern-
mental agency in charge of China’s
social welfare matters.
Minister Gao offered high praise for
CCAI’s leading role in finding loving
homes for China’s abandoned and
handicapped children. “Adoption
offers orphans hope,”she stated.
“What CCAI has been doing is truly
admirable.”
CCAI has earned its unmatched reputation over the past 24 years through unwavering
efforts to improve the living conditions in orphanages, massive humanitarian outreach,
ethical and professional adoption practice, and determination to bring permanency to as
many orphans as possible. As a result, CCAI is highly respected in China, from top officials
to orphanage caregivers.
CCAI is highly respected in China
Dear CCAI family,
When we first started CCAI 24 years ago, 98 percent of the children placed were consid-
ered overall healthy girls under 12 months of age. Today, 98 percent are children with
various medical needs and more than half are boys.
Like the ever-evolving international adoption landscape, China adoption has changed
dramatically. The impact of China becoming the world’s second-largest economy has not
only lifted millions of people out of poverty and created the largest middle-class popula-
tion in the world, but it has also resulted in something absolutely remarkable: a gradual
elevation of the status of females, a dramatic decrease of abandonment of girls and a
rapid increase of domestic adoption.
If you go to China and visit an orphanage today, you will be surprised by the huge and
modern facilities and by the overwhelming number of children with special needs. You
will find hardly any healthy children in China’s orphanages today. Large numbers of
handicapped children have been abandoned as a result of their birth parents’fear of so-
cial discrimination and the outrageous medical costs that can easily bankrupt any family.
They live in beautiful but loveless facilities, without any hope of a loving family in China.
Yet in the past 10 years, thousands of passionate adoptive families have taken a leap
of faith to bring healing, hope and permanency to these precious children. There is no
doubt that since day one in 1992, every adoptive family has desired to make a difference
in an orphan’s life through adoption, but considering today’s adoption environment in
China, this rings especially true.
Every day we see miracles happen and witness lives transformed, both for children and
families. We are so thankful for our amazing adoptive families and feel so blessed to find
forever families for two orphans every working day!
With love,
Josh and Lily
facebook.com/ccaifamily
@CCAI_Family
CCAI_Family
CCAIAdoption
blog.ccaifamily.org
CCAI Family
Getsocial
1,894
9,996
136
22
46
21
3
11,890
Adoptionstatistics
(asof10/15/16)
Chinaadoptions
Haiti adoptions
3,633special needs
11,659total
boys
girls
Domestic adoptions
Latvia adoptions
Ukraine adoptions
Bulgaria adoptions
Total
adoptions
A letter from our founders...
Our Contributors...
Executive editor: Joshua Zhong
Managing editor: Sarah Harmon
Editor and designer: Alissa Hooper
Content curators: Adam Alberti-
Powell, Cynthia Berglund, Shelly
Burkey, Phyllis Chen, Holly Johnson,
Jim and Jean Mulvahill, Lily Nie,
Gracyn Travitz, Julie VanDeHey and
Xia Zhong

3. • FREE for China adoptees!
•$2,099 age 12 & over
•$1,599 age 11 & under
2017 Trip Dates
April 9-19
June 11-21
July 16-26
Dec. 24-Jan.3
2017 Heritage Tours
Don’t let your family miss out
on this incredible experience!
Book today at ccaifamily.org/heritagetour • Contact: heritagetour@chinesechildren.org or 303-850-9998 x48
• Forbidden City
• Great Wall
• CCCWA tour
• Tian’anmen Square
• Terra Cotta Warriors
• Panda reserve
• Li River
• Cooking class
• Orphanage visit
• and much more!

4. “Hosting is
we teach t
th
“Hosting is
we teach t
th
Finding Fu
“Hosting was never on our radar. We have three biological kids and
one adopted with special needs, so our house is plenty full and lively.
Most of my concern with hosting centered around the kids who
didn’t end up getting adopted. It seemed unfair to bring them and
give them the experience of a family, only to return to the orphanage
without the hope of getting a forever family. When God led us to host,
I was shocked and tried to turn my back. One day, I was skimming
through a blog about China’s Waiting Children. I had read these child
descriptions many times in the past and always thought the same
thing:“How sweet. I hope someone adopts that child.”
This time was different. When I read Fu’s story, my heart started
beating out of my chest and I felt an instant connection. I was sitting
in the living room with my family and I tried to shut the computer,
but my husband noticed… then my daughter noticed and suddenly
I was reading his short story to my family. I assumed my husband’s
response would be:“How sweet, I hope someone adopts that child.”
Instead, he smiled and said let’s pray for him and see what happens.
Before I knew it, our daughter came to us with all of her savings
saying she felt we were to host him and wanted her money to help
bring him here. It turns out we had very little time; the deadline
was fast approaching, but God provided every step of the way. That
sweet boy we chose for hosting did arrive and captured the heart of
our family immediately. My opinion of hosting changed very quickly
after I realized what an impact having him in our home would make.
Hosting is not just about what we teach them, but about what they
teach us. No longer did I doubt the importance of bringing him
into our home, even if for only 4 weeks. The hosting experience
was priceless. We were so impacted; I now see the value in the host
experience for everyone involved. Finding Fu was one of our family’s
greatest joys.”
4

5. s not just about what
them, but about what
hey teach us.”
s not just about what
them, but about what
hey teach us.”
Twice a year, CCAI coordinates hosting for Chinese
orphans. For many children, hosting is their only chance
at finding a forever family. To learn more about this
program and how to become a host family, visit
ccaifamily.org/hosting/chinahostingprogram.
5

6. veradecadeago,Ihadaseedplantedinmyheartfororphans.
Since then, my husband and I got degrees (and debt) and had
three children. We struggled to make ends meet for years, and
we ended up in a place where adoption felt like a fleeting wish
that had died in our hearts due to our circumstances. That’s the
thing about dreams: often we think they have
died, when really they are just hidden away,
ready to sprout when the timing is right. One
winter day, we decided this was something we
simply could not continue to wait around on
and my husband and I said YES to adoption.
This didn’t change the gravity of our financial
situation: the fees associated with adoption are
terrifying. They nearly stopped us dead in our
tracks. I am a school teacher and my husband
is an art director at a design firm—we are truly
middle class. We do not have a ton of extra
money. But we decided that it is better to risk failing chasing
down our dream then spend a lifetime wondering.
I committed to fundraising the money we needed. With
shaking knees and little knowledge of how to do it, we began.
Here’s our fundraising, in brief:
• Community garage sale - $2,000
• Tax money and my husband’s side jobs - $5,000
• T-shirt sales - $1,000
• Krispy Kreme fundraiser - $700
• Farm-to-table dinner and auction - $9,000
• Pure Charity fundraiser - $2,000
• Blueberry bumper crop sales - $1,000
Making adoption affordable:
Howwediditandyoucantoo
O
“We decided
that it is better
to risk failing
chasing down
our dream then
spend a lifetime
wondering.”
We are only five months into the process and we have raised
nearly $20,000, none of which we had before we started. We are
blown away that we are here today, two-thirds done with our
payments, and now matched with our newest little love.
Currently, we have a weekly fruit sale starting, where I have
purchased local fruit at cost and am selling
boxes of peaches, pears and apples. Hoping to
rake in some money with that!
Sure, we have maybe $10,000 left, but
we have a plan. Success breeds success and
now we know that we can do this. We also
have learned to invite people along on our
journey. Not everyone is called to adopt, but
people love to be part of a story that is woven
together beautifully. We envision this being
our only adoption, but we don’t envision this
being the end for helping change the lives of
children. Someday soon we hope to be on the other end of this
beautiful adventure, helping others along.
Friends, this is possible. We have acquired no debt so far, and
haven’t even applied for grants yet. This money didn’t fall in our
laps. We have worked hard, but it also wasn’t back-breaking
work. We are gaining momentum and people are joining in. This
journey has taught me how much beauty and hope is in our
world. It has shown me how much relationships matter. People
are rallying with us and carrying us along, reminding us that we
can do this. And you can do this too.
~Julie VanDeHey
6
Check out more of Julie’s fundraising story at blog.ccaifamily.org

7. Eight years ago Henan Province was dead-last
in the annual number of international adop-
tions. Last year it rose to #1 in the nation as a
result of a crucial partnership with CCAI, and
more than 3,000 children with special needs
have fulfilled their dream for a loving family!
One of the key secrets behind the success is the
annual provincial-wide adoption and leader-
ship training CCAI sponsors and leads. These
trainings help orphanage leaders focus on the
ultimate need of orphans under their care—a
permanent and loving home. This April, CCAI
parents Suzanne Calton, Rick Harris and Blair
Whitaker
joined Lily, Josh and CCAI Charity Director Xia
Zhong to teach and interact with more than
150 orphanage leaders.
“We just loved the presentation by adoptive
families,”a provincial official told us.“It really
helps us to see the true impact adoption has
made on these children.”
Lily addresses conference attendees
CCAIsponsorsannualHenanProvincialAdoptionConference
A nonprofit organization would not be
successful without the help of a strong
board who are not only die-hard believ-
ers in its mission, but also eager partici-
pants in its services. CCAI has been very
blessed to have a passionate board of
directors who surround Josh and Lily
with love, wisdom and financial support.
This April, a few board members joined Josh and Lily to visit some Lily Orphan Care
Centers in Henan Province.“This is truly a privilege to see all the beautiful children
and see what a wonderful job our caregivers have been doing to love these pre-
cious children,”Rick Harris told Lily.“It is so satisfying to know that our donors’finan-
cial contribution is making a huge difference here,”added Blair Whitaker.
CCAI currently operates six Lily Orphan Care Centers (LOCCs), childcare rooms sponsored
and staffed by CCAI to provide and model a high standard of orphan care.
CCAIboardmembersvisitLOCCs
AdopteeswelcomedatGreatHall
In June 2016, 230 adopted children and their
parents traveling in China on a CCAI Heritage
Tour were invited to the prestigious Great Hall
of the People. They were warmly welcomed
by high level officials from the CCCWA and
the US Embassy.
HeartConnection
CCAI kicked off a new trip called Heart
Connection: A Mission Trip to Serve Orphans
in 2016. Five families attended our Heart
Connection trips this summer.
“The purpose of the Heart Connection Trip is
for orphans to get exposure to loving families/
people and to understand what that feels
like,” Crystal Conley, CCAI Travel Department
Assistant Manager, stated. “Additionally,
group members had first-hand experience
withchildrenthatdon’thaveafightingchance
at adoption by themselves. We had the team
members fill out information sheets on the
kiddos so we have personal observations
for them—that, paired with pictures, greatly
increases their chances of finding a forever
family.”
“We felt profoundly changed and privileged
to have been afforded the opportunity to be
a part of these precious kids’lives,”stated one
father who made a Heart Connection trip with
his family. “We could not have imagined how
transformational this experience would be.”
If you and your family are interested in travel
opportunities with CCAI, please contact
Crystal at travel4@ccaifamily.org or 303-850-
9998 x48.
Suzanne Calton shares her family’s story
Josh and Lily snapped these photos of orphan service
volunteer photographers in China in October 2016
7
Board members visited the CCCWA before making
stops to several Lily Orphan Care Centers

8. At CCAI, we believe that adoption, without reaching
out to the children left behind, is meaningless.
$533,907.55 contributed to benefit orphans$533,907.55 contributed to benefit orphans
40 orphanage partnerships40 orphanage partnerships
116 children supported in foster care116 children supported in foster care 6 LOCCs funded6 LOCCs funded
27 orphan care trainings27 orphan care trainings
52 children hosted52 children hosted
6,000 orphans’lives impacted6,000 orphans’lives impacted
Sight for Shu
The generosity of the CCAI Family never ceases to amaze us. After finding
out the 7-year-old boy they were hosting was nearly completely blind, Darrell
and Holly Johnson set to work. Shu had received cornea transplants at age four,
but they were unsuccessful due to the orphange’s inability to provide routine
follow-up care. An eye doctor confirmed Shu would be a good candidate for
cornea transplants yet again, but there was a major time constraint: if the
surgeries needed were not done by Shu’s 8th birthday, the pathways from his
retinas to his brain would be fully formed and he would never be able to see.
It was then that the Johnsons reached out to family members, friends and
CCAI for help. God’s plan was already becoming clear and even strangers were
beginning to donate to help Shu. With the help of CCAI Family donations, the
$18,000 needed for Shu’s first cornea transplant was raised, the surgery took
place and the transplant was successful. This process was repeated a second
time for surgery on Shu’s other eye, and $15,000 was raised in 10 days so Shu
could see out of both eyes.
We cannot begin to thank our families enough. Families like the Johnsons,
who dedicated their all to bringing Shu his sight. Families like the hundreds who
donated to bring vision to him. And for the countless families who prayed for
Shu and his host family along this jouney: you have our deepest appreciation.
8
If you’d like to help support Shu’s ongoing financial needs, please
visit ccaifamily.org/Charity/Donation and designate “Sight for Shu”

9. AnYang
AnYang LOCC
BaoFeng
ChangChun
GaoAn
GaoMing
HangZhou
HeFei
JiaoZuo
KaiFeng
KaiFeng LOCC
LuoHe LOCC
LuoShan
LuoYang
NanYang
NanYang LOCC
PuYang
TongGu
*Lily Orphan Care Center **Adoptees Giving Back Orphan Service Trip
Clothes, diaper cream, music player
Infant scale
Christmas gifts
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Exams and public announcements
Hosting
Clothes
Formula
AGBOST mattresses
AGBOST washers, TVs, refrigerators
Exams
Hosting
Foster care
Clothes, diaper cream, music player,
chair, portable hard drive
Exams and public announcements
Strollers
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Clothes, diaper cream, diapers
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Cribs donated by Chenchen Dunlap
Memorial Fund
Exams and public announcements
Exams and public announcements
Hosting
Foster care
Hosting
Foster care
Exams and public announcements
Birthday party, Christmas gifts,
rocking chair, clothes
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Foster care
Formula
Orphanage Project Donation (RMB)
5219.00
710.00
268.70
73420.00
420.00
451.00
4819.00
8748.00
1693.00
35257.00
35000.00
4800.00
1113.00
37264.00
4247.90
7128.00
1200.00
55202.00
2100.00
5482.00
188030.50
1280.00
4000.00
5100.00
28125.00
3917.50
64845.00
215.00
45134.00
15774.00
7052.00
142700.00
1120.00
28103.00
8800.00
WenZhou
WuWei
WuYiShan
XinHua
XinXiang
XinYang
XuChang
ZhengZhou
ZhengZhou LOCC
ZhouKou
ZhuMaDian
ZhuMaDian LOCC
ZhuZhou
Donations
Beijing Office
Subtotal
Formula
Piano
Formula
Playground equipment
FirstHug staff salaries
Foster care
Clothes, diapers
FirstHug staff salaries
Fruit
Remodeling expenses, refrigerator
Travel expenses
Heart Connection
Hosting
Foster care
Exams and public announcements
Music player, shoes, clothes rack,
lamp, birthday party, electric
clipper, clothes
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Clothes
Clothes, infant scale, kitchen,
birthday party, shoes
Window screens
Staff salaries
Staff summer uniforms
Foster care
500 blankets and other supplies
Charity office rent
Total Donations (USD)
11700.00
8424.00
1700.00
8748.00
20754.00
37557.00
7290.00
196900.00
1851.73
29925.00
12598.50
5522.40
6811.00
85760.00
54292.00
10741.00
593409.00
4410.00
7290.00
3958.00
2461.00
111700.00
4650.00
84695.00
100000.00
164250.00
2485515.73
$1,770.00
$2,000.00
$4,587.37
$36,206.00
$109,279.00
$533,907.55
2016CharityProgramReportOct.2015-Sept.2016
Hosting
Orphan care supplies
LOCC* expenses
First Hug
Orphan care sponsorship
AGBOST**
Sight for Shu
Hunan Childcare Training
1% (not pictured): Haiti, Heart Connection,
Hope for Orphans
DONATETODAY
online: ccaifamily.org
mail: 6920 S. Holly Circle
Centennial, CO 80112
Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 6, 2016!
www.coloradogives.org
Haiti
Hope for Orphans
Hunan childcare training
Sight for Shu
Hosting grants and US expenses
9
39%
24%
12%
7%
7%
7%
2%
1%
CCAI is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charity. Donations are tax-deductible.

10. Answering God’s call:
Ourjourneyofadoption By: Jim and Jean Mulvahill
After having five biological children, we assumed that our
family was complete. It wasn’t until our youngest bio son was
12 years old that we figured out the empty nest was not for us.
We loved being parents and spending time with our family. Our
two oldest had gone to college and two more were nearing that
transition. We knew how fast the high school years sped by; we
would blink our eyes and the next two would be gone. Having
only one child at home? Well, it sounded so, so, so quiet… and
unappealing!
Our earlier years were not all rainbows, fairytales and but-
terflies. We’ve had our fair share of challenges, which brought
us closer to God and caused us to re-dedicate our life priorities.
In other words, we found out it wasn’t“all about us”. There is so
much more to life. Something so much bigger than the house
we live in, the cars we drive, the social circles we travel in, and
through our challenges we were forever changed… for the
better. Happiness is not accumulated; it is a decision and it is
attained through giving and helping others.
It was after this transformation that God put adoption on our
hearts. We were 48 and 49 years old at the time. Before proceed-
ing, we talked to our five birth children. Four of the five loved
the idea of adopting a child right away, but our youngest son
needed more time to think about it. Within a few months, he
was on board and decided adopting a younger sister or two
would be a really good idea! Once we got the green light from
all of our bio children, we immediately… got a puppy! Yes, we
got a puppy. Adopting a child was a big step and maybe getting
a puppy would fill the empty place in our hearts and we would
no longer desire to adopt. After having the puppy for one
month, we knew that wasn’t where God was guiding us. He was
guiding us towards adoption.
We immersed ourselves into the adoption world! We started
off thinking we would adopt from Russia but God quickly
showed us that our child was from China! We educated our-
selves, asked lots of questions from others who had adopted
and went to the early adoption classes. Then we joined yahoo
groups, watched TLC shows on adoption, joined Facebook
groups and read every book on adoption (the good, the bad
and the ugly) we could get our hands on. Sometimes it was
scary reading about the hard stuff, but we would read a little,
discuss it, pause, feel peaceful and read some more! Everything
we did confirmed this was what God had intended for our fam-
ily. Our hearts were open and we were ready!
We started out in the China non-special needs program, but
quickly changed to the special needs program. It felt right to
us. We had birth children who did not have any known special
needs, I was a registered nurse and we had good health insur-
ance so we could provide for a child with a special need.
Our adoption began with a precious 16-month-old little girl
in 2007. She was born with cleft lip and palate. She needed
surgery to close her palate but her biggest need was a family to
love her. Within days of adopting her we could see the changes;
she smiled, laughed, began to crawl and went from picking a
few morsels of food to inhaling whatever we put in front of her.
Once she was home, her eyes began to sparkle, her hair became
shiny and healthy, she laughed, smiled and she loved us deeply.
Once we saw the transformation in her, we knew God was
speaking clearly to us, calling us to bring home more children.
Photo credits: Kathryn Lee Photography
10

11. So that is what we did, trusting in Him with each adoption.
Since we were older parents, we knew our opportunity to
adopt was shorter than it would have been if we were a
younger couple. So we moved fast, and with each adoption the
blessings flowed!
Between July 2007 and December 2013, 13 children joined
our family.
Having other adopted children at home was very helpful.
The adjustment period went relatively smoothly when they
saw other children at home who were happy and doing well.
They bonded quickly when they saw that the other children at
home were loved and that they loved us.
Time and time again, we saw God’s miracles within our own
home! Health was being restored because of good consistent
medical care and good nutrition. Our children loved being
loved! They thrived with a family and a home to call their own!
Children who couldn’t learn because they had been too
busy just surviving were now learning. Children who were too
sick could now enjoy focusing on something other than their
illness. Children who needed surgeries or regular blood transfu-
sions were now getting them. It was and still is a daily blessing
for all of us.
Did we have challenges? Of course we did and we still do,
but by being together through it all, we teach our children
what family is all about. We celebrate our victories, problem
solve our challenges and mourn our losses… together! Large
families are not a fit for everyone, but it is a fit for us! We aren’t
sure what God has in store for us next but we look forward to
following Him wherever he leads us!
Jim and Jean have been married for 35 years. Together, they have
19—soon to be 21—children: five bio and 14 adopted from China
(currently in process for two more)! As their family has grown, they
have lived in six houses in the Minneapolis area and will soon be
moving to Colorado after their next two adoptions are complete.
To date, Jim and Jean have three grandchildren and look forward
to more in the future.

12. Ever since seventh grade when I learned about Chinese
adoptions in depth at school, I struggled to accept my own
adoption reality. I did not understand, nor could I believe what
seemed to be such harsh truths. I felt like I could not find my way
in this complex world; like I didn’t have a place to fit in or belong
to. Even as I navigated past what I considered abstract concepts
at the time, the understanding and value I placed on interactions
and relationships with family members was challenged. I felt lost,
alone and confused. Little did I know, I had a safe place that I
could always rely on. That safe place was Adopteen.
In the summer of 2015, I applied to be a part of the Adoptees
Giving Back Orphanage Service Trip (AGBOST), where I would
travel to China for a little less than two weeks with 25 other
adoptees, volunteering our time, love and compassion to the
Luoyang orphanage. This was the start of something that I now
consider one of the greatest things present in my life.
I registered for my first Adopteen Midpoint in Atlanta, GA,
in January 2016. I created new friendships and bonds and went
on new adventures, such as riding horses, rock climbing and
ziplining. I was even able to participate in a dance battle with
one of my closest friends who went to China with me that past
summer!
I felt at home here. I could be myself without judgments
or stereotypes. I didn’t have to be afraid because everyone
understood the way I felt. I wasn’t alone.
I consider Adopteen a “savior” in my life. And I know it had
a significantly positive impact on me. I wanted to make that
impact on other adoptees lives as well, which is why I applied to
be an Adopteen committee leader for the summer of 2016 at the
Washington, D.C. Conference. Here I was able to further my love,
not only for Adopteen as a program, but for the people who are
a part of it. I was able to work closely with 10 other committee
members and be vulnerable with them. I was able to be honest
with campers and tell them my story. But most importantly, I was
able to grow as a young, adopted, Asian-American woman.
Every time I am with the Adopteen family, I find myself delving
further and further into layers of myself that I didn’t even know
existed. I realize that I light up in this environment and have some
of the best laughs I’ve had in my entire life. I feel whole. I feel like
I am a part of something greater than myself.
Although I have had my fair share of confusion and uncertainty
aboutmyselfandthebeginningofmylife,IbelievethatAdopteen
has helped me find my way. Adopteen has challenged me to step
outside of my comfort zone in one of the most unique, sincere
and engaging ways a person could ask for. Adopteen has truly
changed my life forever.
If it weren’t for Adopteen, I wouldn’t have learned that my
adoption is a part of me. It is a part of my truth. It is not something
that defines me, but it is something that has influenced the
person I am today. I have learned that I am not alone. I have
one of the most dependable support systems available to me
whenever I am in need, and there is never a doubt in my mind
that I will always receive unconditional love from this community.
Adopteen will always be a part of me.
My Adopteen story By: Gracyn Travitz
January 14-16, 2017
Adopteen Midpoint Retreat
YMCA Camp Collins
Portland, OR
June 21-25, 2017
Adopteen Camp-Conference
University of Denver
Denver, CO
June 28-July 8, 2017
Adoptees Giving Back
Orphanage Service Trip
(AGBOST)
Hunan Province
July 17-21, 2017
Adopteen Camp-Conference
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Gracyn Travitz was born in Hubei province in 1999. She has
lived with her parents and older brothers in North Carolina
since her adoption in 2000. She plays lacrosse and has been
a competitive Irish dancer since fourth grade. She is looking
forward to graduating this school year and attending college.
12

13. LifelongSupport
Here at CCAI, we offer multi-dimensional services that meet the
needs of children and families, both now and in the future:
• Xpress Yourself: An art therapy program for children
between 7 and 12 years old
• TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention): An attachment-
based, trauma-informed intervention designed for children from“hard places”
• Adoptween: A bi-monthly get-together for children between 9 and 12 years old
• Adopteen: Camp and Conference for teens
• Adoptstronauts: For adoptees age 20 and up
• Adoptees Giving Back Orphan Service Trip: For adoptees age 15 and up
• Joyous Chinese Cultural Center: On-site and distance learning, cultural and emotional support
• China Field Trips: Demonstration of Chinese culture for schools and communities to build local support
• Heritage Tour: Four trips a year
• National and regional reunions
Whether you adopted last year or decades ago, CCAI is here to serve and support
your family as your children grow and their needs change!
“Thecompletionofadoptionisjustthebeginning
oftheadoptionjourney. Wearecommittedto
supportingandworkingwithfamiliestoensure
thelifelongwell-beingofeachandeveryadopted
child.”-JoshuaZhong
13

14. Chen’s adoption story By: Linda Kneeland
We started the process to adopt from Haiti in January of 2014.
After two years, no progress had been made on the Haitian side
of our adoption, and our social worker suggested we take a look
at China, considering CCAI’s extensive experience. So I began
looking at CCAI’s website, and that’s when I saw Chen’s picture.
While we were expecting to be adopting very young boys from
Haiti, her picture and story won our hearts. There was very little
time until she aged out of international adoption (age 14 in
China), but CCAI made it happen. We were home with Chen in
exactly three months.
After having prayed for her almost hourly right up until when
wefirstmet,wewereallstillnervous.Sheavoidedeyecontactand
ignored most everything we said. We returned to the orphanage
the next day, where they hosted a big send-off party, loading her
down with more items and flowers than we could carry. As she
was sobbing, I began to wonder why she was being adopted. She
had so many friends who were sad to lose her, and we seemed to
be the last people in the world that she had any interest in get-
ting to know. My husband and I both felt rather certain that when
we went to the US Consulate and she was asked if she wanted
to be adopted, she would say no. Other older adoptees in our
group seemed to accept
their parents, even hug-
ging them, but when we
went out with the other
families, Chen walked as
far away from us as she
possibly could.
The first night home,
Chen was afraid to go to
bed. She had let me hold
her hand when she was
scared on the plane, so I
sat by her bed and held
her hand. She clung to
me and lay very still.
After about an hour, I
laid down on the floor.
I ended up lying there,
holding her hand, until
5 am. She has now been
home five months, and I
still kneel by her bed and
hold her hand after the
lights are out. Though
she doesn’t say any-
thing, it clearly means a
lot to her. I had no plans
to do this, but it turned
out to be essential to our
bonding.
I could tell even in China that Chen wanted my time and atten-
tion. This summer we did almost everything together and I spent
nearly every waking moment with her. When I took her to activi-
ties, I stayed and watched. I spoke to her all day, in gentle tones,
telling her all the things I wanted her to know, even if she couldn’t
understand me. I am a runner, and she loves riding her bike, so
she rides along with me as I run. When I work on my lesson plans
in my office, she works beside me on puzzles. We hike, shop,
bake, play, clean house and read together. I see it as making up
for as much of the last 14 years as possible before she gets older
and is no longer as interested in my undivided attention.
Several short months from our first encounters, Chen is now
completely different. She is friendly, happy, loving, hardworking,
adapting well and a very typical teenager. She fits in almost as
though she has always been here. I give God all the credit and
glory for what He has done in her life. Hundreds of people have
been praying fervently for us, and I am so grateful! By His grace
we survived the heartache of blatant rejection, and love Chen
with all our hearts.
We have enrolled Chen in plenty of activities to channel her
energy, help her learn skills and make positive memories. Kids at
our Christian school and church have loved and accepted her. In
addition to her friends, I really could not measure the impact of
her four older siblings. They all love her and she has a great deal
of respect for them.
This gets a little personal, but I have had to forgive Chen mul-
tiple times for how she treated us at the beginning. Of course,
I totally understand that
she wanted to reject us
before we could reject
her, and she had learned
to put up defensive,
prickly walls. Only after
thousands of loving,
kind acts that just kept
coming consistently did
she begin to trust us.
I guard my heart from
bitterness and choose
to passionately love her
every moment of every
day. Every child is dif-
ferent and this adop-
tion has taught me that
when you adopt, regard-
less of age, it is impor-
tant to give your child as
much love and attention
as you would a newborn.
No matter what, I have
learned that the most
vital thing is to draw on
the Lord, calling on Him
and following His lead-
ing. In this adoption,
we have felt as though
we have been given an
impossible task, and each day, God has graciously shown us that
with Him, truly, all things are possible! My theme verse in China
and after has been:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8
14

15. JoyousChineseCulturalCentercelebrates20years!
The Joyous Chinese Cultural Center (JCCC) offers Chinese cultural education to individuals of all ages.
• Dance and language classes
• Children’s birthday parties
Contact us today! 303-221-6688 • school@chinesechildren.org
“JCCC has impacted our family in the fact
that from the time Roane was two, he had
an innate love and interest in Chinese
anything. He picked up words here and
there, but what does a parent do to
encourage learning Mandarin when I do
not speak it? I didn’t even know where to
begin. Then I found JCCC: a school that
not only could teach Mandarin, but was
affordable for a single working mom. The
teachers were exceptional too. If it wasn’t
for JCCC, Roane’s talent in Chinese language would fade and he would
grow up with me only having a what-if. Now, we will have“He did it”
because of JCCC. PLEASE DON’T EVER GO AWAY. Parents like me who
do not have access to Chinese programs would not have the chance
to expand their child’s abilities in a language not readily available for
study in schools. Roane is going to grow up becoming a speaker of
Mandarin. I have JCCC to thank for this.”-Shannon Minger
“JCCC has helped me
learn so much and
want to dig deeper
into my rich culture.
I am planning to
go back to China
for a Heritage Tour
through CCAI next
summer. I have gone
to JCCC’s summer
camp for three
years now and I am
definitely planning on
going back.”-Camri
Chun Farnworth
• Educational outreach
• Field trips
• Senior day trips
• Summer camps
Photo credit: Mitchell Brinkhuis

16. CELEBRATING
25 years 12,000 lives
Sept. 4-8, 2017 Register at dazzlingdestinations.com
6920 S. Holly Circle
Centennial, CO 80112-1018
Stay in touch!
Please keep your emailupdated with CCAI so wecan contact you with thelatest news and events!mail@ccaifamily.org
Save the date!
For our annual reunion
June 24, 2017
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 5377
DENVER, CO
NONPROFIIT ORG