Friday, November 7, 2008

financial aid

Dear family and friends,

What a marvelous journey God is leading us on. It is a journey that we cannot make alone, that is where you come in. We are relying on your thoughts and prayers as we take one step at a time. You all mean so much to us; may God bless you for the blessing you have been to us.

Children have been a desire of our hearts, even prior to marriage. We believe this longing will be manifested in a family of biological and adoptive children. God spoke to us most recently through our involvement in the beginning stages of an orphan ministry at church. The foundation for this ministry is found in James 1.27, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress..." Following our initial discussions of how to reach out to the orphan population, we felt God tugging at our hearts to pursue adoption. In September we stepped out in faith to follow this call to adoption.

Over the past two months we have enveloped ourselves in the adoption process, from paperwork to doctors visits and beyond. As you know, adoption is not only the investment of love for a child but it also requires a financial obligation for the services provided. We have chosen to use Bethany Christian Services, a reputable Christian adoption organization. The total cost for their services is $12,000. Preliminary and formal application fees, totaling $600, have been paid. Following the completion of our paperwork, soon to be finished, a $2000 contribution to the birth mother fund is due. Once our home study is complete, they check us out through a magnifying glass, a second fee of $2000 is required. The final $7400 is paid prior to placement of the child in our home.

We have prayerfully considered and are asking you to be a part of this baby's life. Please be in prayer as to how God may direct you in investing in this child's life. You may want to contribute directly. Two other options for investment are the purchase of handmade cards (i.e. the pics to your right) and photographic prints of various outdoor landscapes (soon to be posted). We thank you in advance for your prayers and love for this child. This is a journey God authored long ago; may we all enjoy the blessings of living it out.

Brian and Audra

No comments: