FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What agency are you working with? 

We are with Lifeline Children’s Services and couldn’t be happier! They are amazing advocates for orphans around the world and incredibly Jesus-centered in all that they do. We love them!

2. What’s the timeframe?

Lifeline currently has a timeline of 12-15 months after you fully qualify for the program and have all your paperwork authenticated. But as we have learned thus far in the process, these are strictly estimates as things change daily in the international adoption world.

3. How old will your child be & what type of special needs will they have?

We don’t know and we don’t know:) But likely 2-3 years old and a minor or moderate special need (such as cleft lip, cleft palate, heart defects, club foot, etc.) China sees a lot of those issues.

4. How much does it cost? Isn’t it incredibly expensive?

AMEN! It is so expensive, but obviously worth every penny. We are inclined to believe that God will provide what He calls His children to do. We have watched God provide for us financially our entire marriage and know beyond a shadow of doubt that He will continue to do so for our family that includes adopted children.

In total, we have to pay around $33,000 for the adoption.

5. What does that money go to? 

Great question! When you hear a huge number like that, it often sets off alarms. What crook is making bank off of this? What could possibly cost that much to get an orphan into a family? All adoptions are expensive, and while I do wish it were more affordable (there are some great people working to make that happen), there are very legitimate expenses to be covered.

The cost basically breaks down into thirds. 1/3 goes to Lifeline for all of the paperwork & agency fees that go into it and allow them to exist to help families like us. Another 1/3 goes to all of the foreign program fees in China to cover legal costs, help the orphanage that takes care of our child run, etc. Then the last 1/3 is travel…which is quite expensive.

It is a lot of money, but again, worth every penny.

6. How can I help?

Thanks for asking! First, PRAY. Pray for us, please. This is a crazy, stressful, exciting journey that we are on.

Give. Help out with fundraisers, talk to your friends about it, share this on your facebook/twitter/pinterest/tumblr/anything website. Anything you can do and want to do, we are more than thankful. It’s humbling to ask others to help provide financially to bring our child home and I’m grateful that God has given us this calling. It will be so amazing to tell our baby how loved s(he) is from so many different people that love us, too. Look for fundraisers that we post on the blog…we will post info and how you can help if you’d like! Also, there is a Paypal button in the sidebar where you donate at any point if the Lord leads you to. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL for you even taking the time to read through this, and we cannot say “thank you” enough for any prayers or support you have to offer.

Thank you & feel free to contact us with any other questions you have.