[shoshanna]

I would really like to hear stories from all of you about how God provided the funds for your adoption. We know that we are supposed to adopt, but have no idea how we will pay for it. Can you share your stories about how the funding was provided for you?

[Shoshana]

Hi "shoshanna"

I'm sorry I can't answer your questions, but I just wanted to let my forum buddies know that there are two of us with slightly different versions of the same user name.

[LoveJosiah]

We were "financed" by God in many, many ways:
Too many to count. The key is unrelenting PRAYER!!
Be blessed,
Amber

[mylovebug]

We were shocked to see how God was working in our situation because the money wasn't there but the faith was, and it wasn't always easy to be so full of faith because there were moments of fear that it would not work out but I just kept pressing on. Needless to say our story was similar because we knew we were called to adopt but weren't sure how we could afford it because we didn't want alot of debt. Needless to say we searched all our options looking for the one we could afford yet trying to keep inline with what God wanted.After a few years of searching and praying I saw our local paper had an article on Father's day in the eyes of an adoptive father right here in our city, I read their story called him to see if he would give me any info and reccommend me to them. I called and got there info and stilll wasn't a 100% sure because I didn't feel like I could afford it, so after praying until I felt like God gave me an amount I put in our application with the request for reduced fees and told that amount and wrote my letter of how I knew that God had called us to adopt and had given that amount, I just figured if it was God it would be accepted and it was. So after all the process and waiting was over we received our call and was informed the full amount had to be paid in 10 days when we picked up our daughter. Now that can put your faith to the test because it meant to get her I had to have the money and all I knew was that I was going to have a daughter one way or another. I decided to fast for the ten days with a whole lot of prayer because not only was the money at stake also the mother changing her mind in that 10 days was not something I wanted to happen.the first 2 days or so there was no money and we were nervous, but steady praying. And on the 3rd day after church service full of alot of people praying the money started rolling in. After talking to the agency it turns out the mother tried to pick her up for not the right reasons and God had to work a miracle out and then the money started flowing.We were getting checks in all different amounts even change which added up to be several hundred dollars, it came down to the last few hours and our family helping us count money, roll change and keep notes of who gave what. It was a matter of our church people pulling together in prayer, financial support, and even helping us finish house work/repairs. It was actually amazing to watch the process of God at work. It is a major part of our testimony of the adoption being exactly what God had for our family.
So for a word of encouragement, HAVE FAITH and know that God is God and he can do all things even if it seems to big he is big enough.I would recommend alot prayer and if you are capable of fasting that is something that I would recommend. For me, it really helped my faith and that changed other people's lives seeing my faith through something so emotional stay so strong. I would love to talk if you need too.Thanks,Heather

[hokie96]

My husband and I felt the same way, we knew that God was leading us to adopt, we just didn't have a clue as to how. We proceeded with much prayer....we had everyone we know praying us through the entire time.
We know that God made this happen through many different "happenings". Both of our trips to Russia (airline tickets) were paid for by strangers we had never met. They were friends of friends who had heard about our adoption story and were generous enough to give. We also had many friends send us checks, some anonomously, to use for our fees. We applied for a grant and received the exact amount we needed for our second trip fees. Our church also was able to provide for us financially.
I am awed and amazed by how God used others to bless this journey. Our faith was so small, but we were willing to ask God "how?" and let others know of our need, and He blessed beyond our wildest dreams!

Jenny

[stephdpenn]

We to feel like God is leading us to adopt. At first we wondered how we could pull it off without running up a huge debt. I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 8 years but I had figured I would have to go to work full-time and save every penny of my paycheck. I really wasn't wanting to do this because DH works out of the country for 28 days at a time and we feel it is very important for me to be at home with our boys since their daddy is gone so much. We prayed to God to show us the way to afford the adoption and within a few months my DH got a promotion then 2 raises. So far God has provided every cent needed. We only had one credit card with only a $200 limit and we started thinking that we might need to get another with a higher credit line 'just in case'. Guess what-the credit card with the $200 limit was raised to $2200 last week and we didn't even request it. If it is meant to be the Lord will show you the way. Just keep your faith and keep on praying. I will say a prayer for you tonight.

[mj77]

We wanted babies and prayed asking God how He'd help us form our family. He put on my heart and my dh the state rout though. I got both my beautiful son's that rout. My oldest at 13 mo. and my youngest when he was 5 mo. Not only was it totally free for us, but our children qualify for a monthly adoption subsidy each as well as medical card until they are 18. So, not only were we able to get 2 wonderful and sweet children, but we are able to meet thier needs financially with little stress.

My aunt and uncle saved every tax return, and about 200 a month (that's what they figured it would cost per month to take on the needs of a baby at that time), they did dinner dates at Taco Bell and didn't go on vacations for a while. They kept their older car, and made things for Christmas rather than purchased.

Blessings to you,
MJ

[Yash]

Hi Shoshanna,

I'm looking at grants to finance my next adoption. Looking into possibly borrowing money from my 401K. I know God will provide the money. I'm keeping an open mind to all ideas.

Yash

[DeNaJa]

We were hoping to adopt sometime in the future. We had thought international from China, but at the time, we were not old enough. I do pro-life work and prior to our marriage, and in fact, early in our dating relationship, I asked my then boyfriend how he felt about my willingness to agree to adopt a baby who would otherwise be aborted if this is what a woman needed to avoid an abortion. He said he absolutely supported this because he believed, like me, that we needed to give her every option we could to help her.

Flash forward several years, a severe back injury, a baby, spinal surgery, and a 2nd child (surgery/injury was mine). So, there I was with a 2 year old and a 2 wk old recovering from a c-section (my 2nd)...my second surgery in under a year (spinal fusion and c-section)! Sigh. I get an IM from a dear friend telling me she shared her testimony concerning her own abortion for the 1st time that night and in the audience was a girl who told her that her 13 year old sister was pregnant from a rape and being forced to abort by their mother. My friend got a hold of me and I shared the info with my DH. As I was thinking over the situation, I knew we needed to offer to adopt the baby, but I thought my DH would think I was insane! I was doing a little praying! Well, DH walks into the room and says "I think we should offer to adopt the baby." I almost passed out!

So, based on that and several other factors, we moved ahead believeing this was God's will for our lives. The girl ended up not having the abortion and chose us to be the adoptive parents. Our girls are 6 months apart!

Knowing this was what God wanted, we figured He would help us finance it because we had NOT bugeted for an adoption or the expense of a 3rd child...especially one that would come in 6 months! Not much prep time!

Well, we had lots of screw ups with legal stuff that ended up costing more money, but I guess that isn't all that uncommon. Somehow, despite the screw ups, we found the money. First all our preliminary costs, not counting the home study, like the fingerprint checks, etc ened up being covered TO THE PENNY by money that arrived from strangers. We got a $20 bill from someone who didn't give a name or any contact info. Funny, the money that arrived wasn't 1 cent more or less than those 1st fees. Then, we had to pay our retainer to one lawyer and we didn't have it...but then our IRS tax return check showed up just in time to pay the retainer. Then when another bill came due, I opened my mail box to find the $400 George W. Bush tax credit! What a blessing! My husband didn't get a raise during that time and our expenses were way beyond our usual ones, but somehow, when I went to write a check to pay a bill, there was money in the account. Truely, it was like the widow and the oil! I just kept pouring and oil just kept filling the jars! We got a deal on our hotel...we had to stay for 11 days and breakfast was included. When we returned, a very tiny local church bought my kids coats for winter, diapers, a case of wipes, and a can of formula. A friend brought diapers and a check for $100. Another friend donated a used crib and tons of clothes her kids had grown out of. We had plenty to welcome our new little miracle baby and we never had to want. There really was no need to worry. God just stepped in and made it happen. I knew He would. Since then, He has continued to bless us by finding ways to take care of our daughter's special needs, my DH job, finances, etc. Please don't worry. If this is what God wants, He will make a way! Do your part, of course...work, look for sales, don't be wastefull...but please trust that He will provide.

Blessings!

[Ilovebigbird]

You can have a yard sale and ask friends to donate their unwanted stuff to you for the sale. you will be surprised on how god will help you

[Blessthishome]

We have adopted 2 times since 2002 and the first one was full of adoption money miracles. We didnt have the funds either time. My dh's work big bosses gave us ff miles and our family of 4 then went to China to get our daughter.
We got 12,000 in grants for our 2004 adoption of our son.
We got grants from China Care, Shaohannah's Hope, A Child Waits and Gift of Adoption...if the Lord calls you to adopt, HE WILL PROVIDE

[KatieIC]

When I first found this thread, I cried because we needed a miracle so badly. We have had a lot of dramas in our Russian adoption (see signature), and found out recently that we would need an additional 20k to complete our adoptions. We are out of money, and beginning to think we had "misheard" God on adopting at all.

Yesterday an anonymous person donated a cashier's check (took it to our caseworker, with the promise NOT to tell us) for $15,000. We have not stopped crying and praising the LORD. God is so faithful. This has changed my life, my husband's, my son's, and the two kids' we are hoping to soon bring home from Russia!

[hopin4ababy]

Hi Shoshana! I recognize your name from the Guatemala boards! I have kind of a crazy story!! My husband was laid off in May (I was in panic), given a severance package, found a new job within 3 weeks, and the amount left from the severance package was EXACTLY what we needed to finish financing our adoption. I NEVER dreamed it would happen that way! I look back and wonder how I could have ever questioned knowing that God would provide. His provisions are amazing! Blessings, Ali

[Shoshana]

Hi Ali:

Yes, I'm "Shoshana" from the Guat forum but this poster is "shoshanna."

Best wishes!

[hopin4ababy]

Oooops!! When I went back up to see who posted I must have stoped at you instead of going all the way up to the top!! So sorry to confuse the 2 of you! Such an interesting post and we had such an amazing answer to prayer, I just had to chime in!! Blessings, Ali