Lutheran Adoption Network - $75,000 Adoption has long been a function of Lutheran social ministry agencies. In response to new opportunities for ministry to children from around the world, Lutheran Adoption Network was formed, binding together 32 Lutheran agencies to provide high-quality, ethical adoption services and to assist in the development of child welfare services in countries of origin. Nearly all of the 500 children placed in the first year came from non-Christian backgrounds. Now these children have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in Christian homes. Our mites will give Lutheran Adoption Network the ability to expand services so more children will hear of the Savior's love through their adoptive families.

Concordia Day Care Center, Bangkok, Thailand-$54,000 The Concordia Day Care Center in Bangkok was established in 1990 to serve as a safe haven for children from the slum community. The center helps the national Thai church and LCMS missionaries to demonstrate God's love to underprivileged children and their families through care programs, evangelistic activities and educational opportunities. The center currently cares for about 70 children who receive daily Gospel lessons through songs, games, stories and crafts as well as nutritious meals. A nurse visits weekly to provide necessary medical care. Families of day care receive education and assistance with family planning, conflict resolution, AIDS prevention and care, and vocational planning. The day care staff receives weekly evangelism and discipleship training from LCMS missionaries and Thai Christians, and the center is being used as a model for other bordering countries as a means to begin Christian churches in countries that are known to be slow to respond to missionary efforts. Our mites will support the ongoing evangelistic and social ministry of the Concordia Day Care Center.

Resources and Materials for Lutheran Special Education -$75,000 Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) is dedicated to bringing the love of Jesus to children with special learning needs. It is a unique resource for Christian educators serving children with learning disabilities, brain injuries, hearing, mental or emotional impairment, ADH disorder, cerebral palsy, gifted and slow learners, etc. LSEM helps locate, review and update religious special education materials for Sunday school, confirmation class and VBS. LSEM presently serves over 400 congregations/schools annually and envisions expanding to serve more children.