Family and Friends,
Over our last 10 years of marriage, we have felt called to adopt but felt the Lord telling us to wait. About 3 years ago, we felt God lifting the “wait.” In recent months, we have felt the Holy Spirit prompting us to step forward in faith.
As teenagers, we each felt that one day we would parent a child with special needs. Years later, we shared that with one another when we were dating in college.
We have applied to adopt with a Gospel-centerd adoption agency called Lifeline Children’s Services. Started as a crisis pregnancy organization, Lifeline has expanded to include foster care, domestic adoption, international adoption, global orphan care, and more. We have been led to the country of Bulgaria. Adoption from Bulgaria means adopting a child with special needs and institution-induced trauma. There is a great need specifically for adoptive families for children with Down Syndrome. Through Lifeline, there is an adoption track specifically for children with Down Syndrome from Bulgaria. The adoption process is expected to take 12-18 months total (from completing the initial application to bringing home our baby).
We have felt God continue to open our hands and our hearts. We feel compelled to move forward, and we feel encouragement and peace from Him. Lord willing, our family will adopt a child from Bulgaria with Down Syndrome, age 0-3, next year!
The total adoption cost is $40,000.
Please join us in prayer! First, pray for the Lord to be glorified. Always, in each circumstance, in each decision, we want His glory. Next, please pray for the little one who God has planned to be a Bell. Pray for protection now, and in the coming months as we wait to bring him/her home. Pray that his/her heart is open and ready to attach to their forever family. Pray that the Lord humbles us and prepares us, strengthens us and unifies us as we prepare for parenting a child with special needs that will require lifelong care. Pray for our boys, Grady and Wilder. Pray for financial provision for this adoption.
We have been approved for $9,000 in matching grants! To give toward the matching grant, donations must be sent to Lifesong for Orphans. These can be sent by check or through the Lifesong website. Checks should be payable to “Lifesong for Orphans,” and must include our family ID #10811 and last name on the memo line of the check. Please mail to: PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Even with grants, we will have a huge financial need! If you would like to contribute to our adoption costs, we would be incredibly grateful.
THANK YOU for being a part of bringing this little one HOME!
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 “Bell 10811”, 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