By Blake Ragsdale | Charity & Children Editor
It was a normal school day for Anthony Gordon. He rode the bus home from school just as he ordinarily does.
As the bus came to a stop, Anthony stepped out onto the winding walkway leading to the front door of his home. The yellow school bus had barely disappeared from view when Anthony was surprised by a familiar face waiting for him.
The moment he spotted Bryan Bell, the two boys raced toward one another and embraced before Anthony could even make it to the front door.
Their friendship began thousands of miles away at an orphanage in the Philippines, where the boys spent much of their childhood together. Though they were adopted by different American families through Christian Adoption Services (CAS), the adoption ministry of Baptist Children’s Homes, their bond has not only endured but flourished.
“He got to get him off the bus, and it was so much fun,” Melissa Bell said. “That connection has just been a blessing.”
The reunion happened just one day before CAS’s annual Filipino Heritage Day. The Bell family had flown from their home in Alabama to attend the event. When an early arrival gave them time to connect with the Gordons, they seized the opportunity for Bryan to surprise his longtime friend.
The next day, on Saturday, July 25, the Bells, the Gordons, and a total of 16 families who have adopted from the Philippines gathered for Filipino Heritage Day on BCH’s Mills Home campus in Thomasville, NC.
“The day is really all about love. These kids are such a blessing, and Bryan has been so blessed to be connected,” Melissa continued. “Adoption has brought us lots of connections in North Carolina, and we didn’t want to miss this opportunity to reconnect.”
The event began with worship and encouragement before parents participated in discussions on family life, trauma and adoption-related topics, while children took part in activities tailored for them.
The day was made possible with the help of members from Triad Journey Church in Winston-Salem. The church, a multi-cultural congregation of Americans and Filipinos, brought a cultural authenticity to the gathering to the delight of the children and families.
Families reunited for a shared session focused on the bonds that tie them together, and the day concluded with friendly competition on the basketball court, a shared meal and a festive celebration of Filipino culture.
“I think maintaining culture is critical and it builds children up and encourages them,” said adoptive mother Sabrina Miller. “The very first thing the kids said as we were pulling out last year is, ‘Mom, do we get to come back?’”
Filipino Heritage Day is an outgrowth of CAS’s commitment to provide caring support and community for adoptive families long after their adoptions are finalized.
“CAS has been a blessing to our entire family and created a village back at home as well as in North Carolina,” Melissa explained. “And they were there for all of our questions and concerns and they prayed with us and it’s amazing.”
Throughout the day, a common thread emerged in conversations with parents and children alike: the relationships formed through adoption and nurtured through the CAS community continue to flourish long after families return home. Heritage Day gives families an opportunity to reconnect with friends, celebrate shared experiences and remind their children that they are part of a larger family connected by adoption.
“Getting together with other adoptive families, especially families that have adopted from the Philippines, makes us feel like family when we’re all here,” Alex Gordon shared. “Being able to get together once a year and have Anthony and Bryan reconnect is one of the most special times for us every single year.”
What is Christian Adoption Services?
Christian Adoption Services is the adoption ministry of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. CAS walks with families through domestic and international adoption — and, as Filipino Heritage Day shows, continues supporting them long after an adoption is finalized.
Does support continue after an adoption is finalized?
Yes. Post-adoption community is a core part of what CAS offers. Annual gatherings, parent discussions on trauma and family life, and connections with other adoptive families help build what one mother called a village — both locally and back home.
Why does cultural connection matter in international adoption?
Children adopted internationally carry a heritage that is part of who they are. Events that celebrate that heritage help children feel proud rather than separated from their origins, and give families a shared community that understands the experience.
How do I start the adoption process?
Most families begin with a conversation. CAS staff answer questions, explain the process, and help families discern whether adoption is the right path — with no obligation attached to asking.
- Learn about adoption: christianadopt.org
- Contact us: bchfamily.org/sayyes
Bringing children home — to family, to community, and to Christ.
