Exceeding Abundantly Above...

We had the joy of partnering with Jeremy and Kristi this spring in their domestic adoption of little Adilynn Grey. 

  

"As the Apostle Paul said, our God 'is able to do exceeding abundantly above' anything we can ask or even imagine!  The miracle of adoption and our precious baby girl have been examples of this in our lives."           -Jeremy & Kristi 

Thanks Jeremy & Kristi for sharing your story with us.  It's an honor to able to walk part of this journey with you.  Praying that God continues to work in your family 'exceeding abundantly above' all that you can expect, imagine or hope for.

May God Lift Up

We were more than pleased this to get this precious card in the mail this week from the Michaelian family announcing their recently adopted son Ezekiel 'Zeke' from Rwanda.  You can't help but smile back at this little guy! 

Thanks Michaelian family for giving us the privilege to be big a small part of God's big picture He is painting of your lives.  We pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:17-19).

Lives are Being Transformed

 Vanya from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

I remember the first time I saw Vanya because there was something different about him. Yes, he was the only black kid in the whole orphanage, but more than that, there was something about his eyes that intrigued me.  
 
"Vanya is a smart kid." Denis, our director, told us. "He was abandoned as a newborn. His parents were students at the university and he is very smart." 
 
I smiled at him and he smiled back. His outgoing personality was evident as he tried his hand at English.  I met a lot of kids at that summer camp in 2004, but Vanya is the one I remember.  

-Marla Ringger, Orphan Advocate

Click here to read more about Vanya. Lifesong Ukraine. Changed Lives.

Family Friday...

We are excited to give you a glimpse into the Stum family's Both Hands project from last fall while they raised funds for their adoption AND served a widow...Check out their video!

Both Hands - Stums from Jake Stum on Vimeo.

 " I get all weepy seeing this video again. I have to say, though, that while we are thankful for every dollar the project raised for our adoption, the very best thing about it was our widow accepting Christ. In the midst of reorganizing a room she had not touched since her husband passed, a volunteer simply asked her.  She said yes. Isn't that amazing!?!"

-Merica Stum

 Yes! That is amazing! Thank you so much Jake & Merica for allowing Lifesong/Both Hands be apart of your adoption story and ultimately the story of HIS glory! To read more about their project check out there blog...here and here.

To hear and see other stories like the Stum's, visit Both Hands & Lifesong for Orphans.

Kids Caring 4 Kids visits Lifesong Zambia

"I'm just a girl who wants to make a difference for other kids."

In 2004, 11 year old Kendall Ciesemier organized Kids Caring 4 Kids after undergoing 2 liver transplants in one summer.  Her heart went out to kids who also had physical challenges but no family or resources to help them.  So instead of flowers and gifts, she urged family and friends to donate to her new organization and partnered with World Vision so she could help kids suffering from the affects of AIDS! 

Now, KC4K has also partnered with Lifesong and others and is on a mission to raise $1 million to help children in Africa!  In Lifesong Zambia, KC4K has funded indoor plumbing and a "sick bay" for the school.

This past friday KC4K had the great opportunity to visit our Zambia school.  Check out Kendall's blog here where she recaps their day!