ewesful, bless you for helping battered women. we have a family member who has fostered children for decades. she currently has 2 boys, brothers, since they were very young. their mother endured many serious beatings from her husband. i know people who've adopted from romania, russia, china. their children have various mental and physical issues. as someone said, adoption is not for the faint of heart (generally speaking).
my husband and i chose to adopt from the foster care system in the u.s. it was ok with us that she was not a newborn. i know this is important to some people. our daughter is doing well, there are challenges.
think carefully, pray earnestly.