Adopting Again: Why?

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps Proverbs 16:9

Our plan for our family has always been to have two children and to serve the Lord with gladness. Anna was placed into our family September 20, 2004. She was the most wonderful little girl we had ever seen. Next, in February ’07, we welcomed into our lives and home Beth Alexandra, a perfect and beautiful baby girl. We were also welcomed into the life of a beautiful teenaged birthmother. Walla! Mission accomplished. Our family was now complete and we were excited to move on to the next phase of adoption support and advocacy.

It was while preparing for adoption promotion in November that our belief about our family being complete was challenged by the still small voice of the Lord. We believe the Lord has challenged us to expand our family again through adoption: To make the sacrifice of our plans, our level of comfort and our known future. It is the call to the fatherless, by the Father himself, which has caused us to build our family through the miracle of adoption. So with fear and faith we have started down the road to adopting two siblings from Haiti. We have no idea how the Lord will do it, but we know that “He is able” and that He has called us to it and will provide for His children. Jesus knows our new kids and loves them more than we know. We are privileged to participate in the care and provision of the orphan in such a tangible and rewarding way. We get to raise them, watch them grow and turn them loose to change the world as He directs them.

Here is the crazy part. The adoption process in Haiti takes “approximately 1 ½ - 2 years” and costs around $30,000 when adopting two children. After the homestudy is approved (ours is), we then have to do the “paper chase”. This is where we and nearly everyone we know fill out and sign documents verifying every aspect of our lives. We have to have info from our Doctor, psychologist, pastor, police department, employers, several trusted friends, and the FBI. Once all of this is gathered it goes to the state for authentication, then to the Haitian embassy for certification, then to the translator to be turned into French, then to Haiti along with $16,000 to pay for all that must be done there: courts, lawyers, birthparents’ travel to court, support to the orphanage where the children are living, and humanitarian aide to mothers still trying to keep their families together. We are less than 60 days away from sending our papers to Haiti. That means we are 60 days from needing $16,000. We are applying for grants, making our need known and trusting God our provider. We know that the Lord has asked us to do this. We know that He makes each person’s heart beat for different things and for some it is to care for orphans. Some people adopt, some people sponsor a child and some people make it possible for others to adopt. If you know of grants available, please let us know. If you have great fund raising ideas, please help. If you have a heart to give, or know others who do, we would be blessed. If you would like to sponsor a child or are interested in adoption, we would love to talk to you! Thank you for hearing our hearts and for holding us up in prayer.