Recently a couple of people have likened the cost of international adoptions to child trafficking. At first I was able to just brush it off, but the more I thought about it the more it bothered me. I'm going to do my best to explain the costs and why it is NOTHING close to child trafficking. Quite frankly, the costs are high to avoid such a tragedy! It is also important to note that a large percentage of the money spent stays right here in the United States. We are absolutely not just handing another country $25,000 in exchange for one for their orphans!
Social Worker Application Fee $500
Passport Renewals $220
Home Study Fee $3500 (this is VERY high compared to the national average. There is no competition in this area. We had only one choice in Grand Forks!)
Reece's Rainbow Voice of Hope Fund $250
Reece's Rainbow Application Fee $25
USCIS Fees $890
Marriage Certificates $35
State Police Clearance $30
Various Postage $200
Apostille Fees $450 (When we started I had no idea what this meant. Basically, almost everything needs to be notarized. Then, before we send it off to the country we have to send it to the office of the Secretary of State of ND to be verified. In ND, they charge us $10 a document to be authenticated.)
Travel to Europe $2500 (2 adults rt is
about $1250 per persn)
Adoption Fees $9000
Donation to Orphanage (required) $0 (included
in your facilitation fees)
Travel in Country $500
child's Medical Appt for Visa $110
child's Visa Application $230
child's Passport and Expedition Fees
$600
Living in Europe for 5 weeks $3500
Travel to America $800
Travel Items $250
Emergency Fund $1000
Estimate for 1 child $24,590
As you can see, adoptions are really expensive! So does that mean only the wealthy are called
to adopt? We don’t think so! We do know
that God has called us to adopt! We
cling to the truth of this verse:
"Pure and genuine religion
in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their
distress..." James 1:27 NLT
We don’t think that everyone has been called to
adopt, but we do believe that God’s word is clear about caring for orphans (and
widows). We’re fundraising to give
others an opportunity to give as they feel led, according to their conviction
and experience the blessing that comes with caring for one of His own. Also, we simply could not afford the expense
of adoption. We are convicted that God
called us to step out in faith, knowing full well that our finances could not
sustain such a high cost. If you feel
led to give, we would be ever grateful, but if you don’t, that’s ok too. We know not everyone will be called to give
financially. We need prayers,
encouragement, love, and occasional help with our other kiddos! No matter what your decision, that is between
you and God, just as our decision to make a step of faith was and is. If you do feel led to give to our adoption, on the left hand column of this blog are three different ways to give. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about what they all exactly are and how they benefit us! Thank you to everyone who has already supported us in so many amazing ways!
Stacy
Prayer Requests:
-Continue to pray our home study will be completed FAST.
-Pray for financial blessings
-Pray for Treva's health while she waits to come home.
PRAISE!! Last time I asked you to pray for the mountain of paperwork we wanted to complete in a single day. It was a late night, but we did it!!
