Welcome friends and family! Thank you for joining us on our journey to adopt from Colombia! We have been awarded a $5000 matching grant from the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church adoption fund which is administered by Lifesong for Orphans. We are so greatful for God’s provision and look forward to faithfully stewarding this gift as we pursue His call for adoption. In that light, we’d love to share a little background on how we ended up here sharing our story with you!
We both had a desire to adopt before we even knew each other. For Laura, during college, there were two families who were leaders in her college group at church. One of them fostered two boys who they eventually adopted, and the other family adopted twin girls from Guatemala. Seeing their hearts for adoption and their love for their children had a lasting influence on her. For me, Keith, I was first exposed to the need for adoption when watching a news talk show that discussed the perils of China’s “one child” policy while I was in the fifth grade. I vowed to God that day that I would one day adopt a child that was in need of a family. Over time my desired to adopt was fueled by continually learning about the orphan crisis around the world. When we married, we knew it was not a matter of if we would adopt, but when we would adopt.
Through a series of starts and stops over the years, God sovereignly led us to the point we were able to launch out on this journey in November of 2018. In the years prior, we looked at several countries, but none were a good fit for us as a family. In November of 2018 we learned of the orphan care needs in Colombia. Upon learning that Colombia was an option, we began to pray to the Lord seeking his will regarding adopting from there. We also began researching Colombia and, in the process, absolutely fell in love with the culture and the people. It became evident very quickly that Colombia was the country to which God was leading us.
We believe in the value of family and believe that all children deserve the chance to be in a safe and loving home with a mother and father to lead and guide them. We want to be that family for a child(ren) that needs one. You might be wondering why our story is titled “Beautiful in Time”. It comes from the passage Ecclesiastes 3:11a which states “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” This verse highlights that God is writing the story of our family. Through the pains and joys of life we have learned that the Potter is shaping our lives into a beautiful vessel. This process is not always easy, but in time we have learned to see the beauty of God’s design and look forward to our adoption being a part of our story.
We once again thank you so much for your love and your willingness to partner with us on this journey!
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 “Echols 8394”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, 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.