Our Story
Hi,
We are the Howards; Mark and Michele. Mark currently pastors Red Bud Baptist Church in Castalia, NC and Michele is a Marriage & Family Therapist. We have three grown children of our own.
In 1997 we were labeled an infertile couple. During this process we felt led to adopt and had actually begun looking into the process when Michele got pregnant. After having three children of our own in four years we put the adoption on the back burner…but it never went away.
In 2021 our piano teacher, Amanda, went on a mission trip to the Philippines. After returning, she asked us whether we would consider an international adoption. While in the Philippines, she had seen a child that reminded her of Mark. She wondered if we might consider giving him a home. Soon, that call to adopt returned. We began the formal adoption process in February of 2022. Unfortunately, by the time we were approved, the original boy that we hoped to adopt had aged out. We then set out to adopt some older children. We were soon led to three sisters, aged 11, 13, and 15. These girls have spent their entire lives in an orphanage.
Last summer, 2024, the girls were flown to North Carolina for a month. We had the chance to spend the month with these girls and had an amazing time. We were able to take them places they had never been (like the mountains and the ocean). We taught them how to ride bikes and how to swim. We cherished every moment and developed bed time stories and Bible reading. It was amazing. We have since been approved to adopt these sisters…The adoption process is long and expensive. However, God has brought us to an amazing place. We are finishing up the last part of the paperwork and soon should be ready to go to the Philippines and get our girls!!!
We are about half way down the road of our adoption journey. Expenses for the remainder of this journey will be around $26,000. Recently, we have been awarded $8,000 in matching grants from Josiah’s Adoption Fund and Lifesong for Orphans. This means that every dollar of the first $8,000 we raise will be matched!! Would you be willing to help? Anything you give will be greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Mark & Michele Howard
STRIPE charges an online processing fee (2.2% +.30 USD per transaction)*. Your donations will be decreased by this amount. You may also send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Howard 11357”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Lifesong has been blessed with partners who underwrite all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.
- In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong for Orphans. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
- Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request.
- *3.5% fee for donations given with an American Express card