Contact: Angela Hood, All God's Children International, 503-705-5931

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 24, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Thursday, October 10, six-year-old Claudia arrived in the United States with her forever family, Lori and Joel Soo Hoo. Claudia was referred for adoption in Guatemala when she was six weeks old but couldn't leave the country with the closure of international adoption.

Claudia's parents made 18 trips to see her at Dorie's Promise in Guatemala, a partner home of All God's Children International headquartered in Portland, Ore.

"We've been able to web chat with her since she was two and a half years old," says Lori. During their last trip down, their lawyer took them to sign some papers. They had no idea they would leave the country with their daughter that day.

Lori and Joel give much credit to the Guatemalan lawyer who was consistent and persistent in her communications with the government, as she finalized this adoption.

Hollen Frazier, executive director of AGCI, is thrilled about this recent significant event and believes it deserves our attention with the CHIFF act recently introduced to legislatures. "It (CHIFF) allocates existing funds for the under-developed countries to train and implement child-centered systems helping children enter into families."

Tom DiFilipo, President and CEO of the Joint Council on International Children's Services writes, "We are very pleased and excited to announce that Senator Mary Landrieu and 13 other Members of Congress have introduced the Children in Families First Act of 2013 (CHIFF) into the Senate.

CHIFF is built on the idea that American law should reflect the human truth that children need families. For AGCI, there are now two remaining children who are stuck in Guatemala, unable to come home to their parents. Frazier is hopeful this legislation will prevent children from being stuck for six years in an adoption process.

About All God's Children International
Founded in 1991, All God's Children International passionately serves the world's orphans and vulnerable children by offering hope through the life-changing ministries of adoption, orphan care, and missions. Each year, AGCI unites nearly 150 orphans from around the world with their forever families across the United States. Through AGCI’s Hannah’s Hope orphan homes, children are provided medical care, education, ministry, and safety while waiting to be placed in loving homes. Additionally, AGCI provides orphan care for children without families, family preservation projects, and short-term mission trips to provide the shelter, care, and love every child deserves. AllGodsChildren.org