Barkers are Adopting from India Again!

Bill and Sara Barker
Bill and Sara Barker South Hamilton, Massachusetts

Our family began when we met one another over 20 years ago as young college students studying abroad in Jerusalem, Israel.  As our friendship developed, we discovered it was a desire of each of our hearts to marry and have children someday, building our family, in part, through adoption.  After a long educational journey that led to a PhD for Bill and a Master’s for Sara, we had our first child, Aidin, biologically 11 years ago.  Shortly thereafter we began the adoption process, thinking our next child would be close in age. But God had a different plan! Our first adoption process took us six and a half years due to issues that arose within two countries from which we sought to adopt.  So, two years following the birth of our daughter, Catharine, we adopted our son, Isaiah, from India in 2017. 

 

While our first adoption took far longer, and subsequently cost far more than we expected, we were also privileged to witness many families join us in fostering and/or adopting children locally and from around the world. 

 

Last year we both knew we were to adopt one more time. We started the process to adopt again in March 2020 – right as COVID-19 was shutting down the world! We’ve seen many doors miraculously open the past few months, and we are now at the stage of reviewing profiles to be matched with our daughter!  There has been a great effort to submit our initial paperwork and fees quickly over the past few months.  But that has put a significant drain on our personal finances, with 75% of the adoption fees remaining (approx. $30,000). 

 

In addition to applying for many grants and organizing fundraisers, Lifesong for Orphans has graciously given us a $5000 MATCHING GRANT. ANYTHING YOU GIVE up to that amount is matched! They also serve as a tax-deductible site for us for individual donations of $50+ and $250+ in the course of a year. 

 

We are excited to one day share with our children the stories of the many, many people and organizations who partnered with us along the way to bringing the next Barker home! We would be grateful and excited to have YOU be one of those vital partners.

Photo credit: Tracey Westgate Photography


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 “Barker 09459”, 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.
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 of  $30,000
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My Story

Our family began when we met one another over 20 years ago as young college students studying abroad in Jerusalem, Israel.  As our friendship developed, we discovered it was a desire of each of our hearts to marry and have children someday, building our family, in part, through adoption.  After a long educational journey that led to a PhD for Bill and a Master’s for Sara, we had our first child, Aidin, biologically 11 years ago.  Shortly thereafter we began the adoption process, thinking our next child would be close in age. But God had a different plan! Our first adoption process took us six and a half years due to issues that arose within two countries from which we sought to adopt.  So, two years following the birth of our daughter, Catharine, we adopted our son, Isaiah, from India in 2017. 

 

While our first adoption took far longer, and subsequently cost far more than we expected, we were also privileged to witness many families join us in fostering and/or adopting children locally and from around the world. 

 

Last year we both knew we were to adopt one more time. We started the process to adopt again in March 2020 – right as COVID-19 was shutting down the world! We’ve seen many doors miraculously open the past few months, and we are now at the stage of reviewing profiles to be matched with our daughter!  There has been a great effort to submit our initial paperwork and fees quickly over the past few months.  But that has put a significant drain on our personal finances, with 75% of the adoption fees remaining (approx. $30,000). 

 

In addition to applying for many grants and organizing fundraisers, Lifesong for Orphans has graciously given us a $5000 MATCHING GRANT. ANYTHING YOU GIVE up to that amount is matched! They also serve as a tax-deductible site for us for individual donations of $50+ and $250+ in the course of a year. 

 

We are excited to one day share with our children the stories of the many, many people and organizations who partnered with us along the way to bringing the next Barker home! We would be grateful and excited to have YOU be one of those vital partners.

Photo credit: Tracey Westgate Photography


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 “Barker 09459”, 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.
Read more

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