Hello! Our names are James and Amanda Belmonte, and we are in the process of adopting a little girl from India! We have two biological children, Gaelyn (age 8) and Aaron (age 6) and currently a foster baby who is 9 months old. We have been foster parents for almost four years, but always have wanted to grow our family in a more permanent way, and adoption has been something we have always had a passion for. We began exploring adoption after our son Aaron was born, because the doctors advised us that it wouldn't be safe to have any more children naturally. With adoption being something James and I have always had a heart for, we knew that this could be a way we could grow our family, while also following the Lord's command to care for the vulnerable (James 1:27).
When our children were 5 and 3, we started fostering children in our community. We have fostered a total of 4 children over 3 years, and while we love coming alongside families and supporting them by caring for their children, we strongly believe in reunification with family of origin when it is possible and healthy to do so. So while adoption through foster care can happen, it is not ultimately the goal. So in May of 2024 we began the process of international adoption, specifically from India. We have now been in the process for over a year, largely doing paperwork, and in June of this year we were matched with a little girl, who just turned 1! Lord willing, we will be traveling to bring her home this winter!
As you know, the cost of international adoption is incredibly steep, averaging 50-60k when it's all said and done. So far we have spent about half of that cost, just with agency fees, homestudy fees, etc, and we still have many more steps to go. Ultimately, we trust the Lord to provide however much He wants us to have in bringing our girl home. We have already seen His provision in many ways. Part of the Lord's provision for us has been a matching grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation through Lifesong for Orphans where they will match the first 7k that is donated.
We thank you all for reading our story, and for walking alongside us in this journey. Please continue to pray for us, and for our little girl in India.
James and Amanda Belmonte
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 “Belmonte 11702”, 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.
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