[ABCBinSEA]

Does anyone know of missionaries who have adopted children? My husband and I are just starting to look into adoption but don't know how feasible it is for longterm missionaries. If anyone has any advice to offer we'd be most appreciative! We are especially concerned because we live in our country on a long-term tourist visa and don't really have a residence in the US. Other overseas adoptions I've read about have had to report to their state of residence. Has anyone ever done anything like this?

[blessedbybug]

I do know two families who are career missionaries who have adopted children native to the countries where they live. One is in Kenya, the other Vietnam. So it can be done. I do know that, esp for the Vietnam situation, it was a long and arduous process with lots of roadblocks.

My only advice would be to contact an agency in the state where you last lived (do you keep a US addy? Most of our friends serving overseas do this for tax purposes...) and see what they say. That would be a starting point. Sorry I am not much help otherwise. Blessings on your journey...

[JohnnaMJH]

I know our agency has had a couple of families in this situation. I think they've lived in Mexico and Russia. They did have to stop in the States for some paperwork right after the adoption. I'm not sure if they stayed with family or how they did it. For instance, the woman who lived in Mexico stopped in TX.

Good luck,

[ABCBinSEA]

Thanks for your replies! It's great to know it's been done before. We're still young and pretty new to the missions feild so we're in no urgent rush to adopt. Still we'd like to start a family in a few years and I feel releaved to know that the adoption option is open. As for taxes we use the address of my father-in-law's dentist office since our last residence was an apartment that has a new tenant every few months! I guess that would work though! Thanks again and I'll see you around (though I'll probably just be a spectator from here on in)!!


~amanda

[China2004]

There is a lady on our "China group" who is a missionary from the US living in Mexico and their family adopted their little girl from China the same time we did. If you decide on China let me know and I will give her your email.
What country are you living in?

[KylandsMom]

I know CWA (Christian World Adoption) has adopted children to missionaries. The woman who runs their Older child program for Ethiopia is one such lady.