Family Friday: John & Meredith

Time for another Family Friday feature!

Let me introduce to you John and Meredith, 2nd-time adoptive parents from China.  They returned home this spring after their adoption of little Sam.

Please listen in as the share some of the joys, struggles and excitement of God's gift of adoption!

This was our second SN adoption from China within two years. We would have been unable to afford this adoption without the grant we received from Lifesong (& Jeeah's Hope Adoption Fund). Because we were familiar with China adoptions, this experience was very simple and smooth--but of course not fast! We had a wonderful experience with our agency as well as our adoption process.

Lifesong was so helpful and worked with us every step of the way. We so appreciate that Lifesong helped us to walk this path.

One major 'God-thing' through our process was that Sam was a child with special needs--a heart baby. He was born with an ASD. When we brought him home and had his heart checked by the cardiologist, God had healed him!!

Family Friday: Craig & Tessy

Listen in to the powerful adoption testimony from Craig & Tessy as they adopted Zalen Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo...

Adoption changed my life.  I will never be the same.  Our family will never be the same.  I am so thankful.

Through the process of adoption it was as if I was allowed to peek into the mystery of how much my God loves me.  The lengths of love and sacrifice that He is willing to go through to make us His children.  His deep desire to adopt each of us no matter where we are at or what we have been through. 

I remember at times being overwhelmed with the piles of paperwork and red tape required to get my son home.  I remember the countless fundraisers as we attempted to meet the financial deadlines looming before us.  I recall the beautiful blessing of relief when a letter would arrive in the mailbox with a donation that was in the exact amount that we needed to meet our current financial need.  One of those letters was from "Lifesong for Orphans" right before we traveled. 

Our adoption didn't follow the normal pattern of "wait..wait..wait" that many have to endure.  Our paperwork moved quickly and travel time was upon us before we were ready.  There was no time to host another fundraiser, it was time to travel.  An answered prayer arrived just in time.  A few weeks before we needed to make travel plans we received a generous, just the amount needed, grant from Lifesong.

This happened throughout our journey, God supplying our every need just in time. It was many times through the body of Christ who sacrificed time and money to demonstrate the wonderful love of Christ to our family.  It was overwhelming.  It was a blessing.  It was an answer to our prayers.

-Craig & Tessy, Adoptive Parents

Family Friday: Bruce & Karen

Bruce and Karen have a story of patience, faithfulness and perseverance. Through pregnancy difficulties and adoption hurdles and heartbreak, God had slowly been preparing their heart and home for what He had planned for them. 

Through the hard times, Bruce and Karen thought maybe God didn't want them to have children of their own.  But things changed on Mother's Day 2011.  A friend from their church told them of a little boy who was deaf in Hungary who needed a forever family. AMAZINGLY, Bruce and Karen had both been learning sign language because they believed God was calling them to start a deaf ministry at their church!  After much praying, fasting and wisdom-seeking, they believed God was opening this door for them.  Even though it was scary to think of the challenges ahead, they chose to walk through it!

Through a matching grant from the James Fund (Partnered with Lifesong for Orphans), Bruce & Karen were able to raise the funds they needed to complete their adoption.

First meeting with their new son, Marcell.

First official family picture!

We were blessed to find Lifesong and to be accepted for a matching grant.  Our friends and family donated over $3,000 and James Fund/Lifesong matched every penny of it!  Receiving the checks from Lifesong was an added encouragement to us as we continued on our adoption journey. The costs of adopting internationally are so large that at times we felt overwhelmed. But knowing Lifesong was behind us, and people there were praying for us, helped us continue on our journey.

-Bruce & Karen

Church Fund Update - A Year in Review

What do the great states of Washington, California, Texas, Florida, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Maine have in common?  Many things I'm sure, but one thing is they all have several churches who partner with Lifesong for Orphans to care for orphans and adoptive families. In fact, those 7 States are joined by church fund partners in 25 other states (combined 32 states) in which 166 churches partner with Lifesong for Orphans.  Each Orphan Care / Adoption Ministry is led by wonderful, servant-hearted Christ-followers who are working hard and sacrificially to be the hands and feet of God’s heart for the orphan. 

2011 has been a ‘record’ year for Lifesong in many ways and we praise the Lord for the opportunity He has given us to partner with special people in making an eternal difference in the lives of so many voiceless children.  We have truly seen Proverbs 68:5-6 in action this year!

'Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy.  God places the lonely in families.'

-Rich Metcalfe, Lifesong for Orphans, Program Director 

See it in the stats...

• Growing number of Church Fund partners -- 166 church funds in 32 states
• 33 'Outside the Wall' adoptions this year
• Over $1.2 million committed grants & loans for adoptive families from Lifesong & Church Fund Partners
• November--record month--$126,000 of the $170,000 committed to adoptive families for grants & loans came from Lifesong Church Funds Partners

 What's all this talk about Lifesong Church Funds? Check out this video to learn more!

Family Friday: Scott & DeAnn

Kiara Louise Katherine, born 2/18/11

Dear Lifesong Staff,

We are so thankful to God for giving us a healthy and beautiful baby girl! Your ministry was a critical part in helping us fund our adoption It's difficult to put into words how much we appreciate that, and how much we love our new daughter! We continue to pray for Lifesong and all of the families and children you help around the world! Thank you!

Blessings & love,

Scott and DeAnn