We are honored to be able to take part in God’s plan for this girl. We are just an ordinary couple who have been convicted this is the way God wants us to start our family. We both know that adoption is God’s plan for our family, and that this girl, although physically born to another mother and father, was specifically created to be our daughter.
Here is our story:
Jere grew up with two adopted siblings: James adopted domestically, and Olivia adopted from China. Adoption felt so natural that Jere knew from an early age he was going to adopt someday. Even from a young age, Sarah can also remember she wanted to adopt. In middle school she read a book called “Gladys Aylward”, a story of an ordinary woman who adopted many children from China and loved them like Jesus. This book, along with many other experiences, planted the desire to adopt in her heart and has continued to have a major influence on Sarah to this day.
Jere and Sarah met in college and were friends for a year before dating. Even when Sarah placed Jere strictly in the “Friend Zone”, they would discuss their desire to adopt. Once married, they had serious conversations about adopting, and the question was not if, but when. Medical school and residency are a long, arduous journey, and along with Sarah running her own business they were not entirely sure when they wanted to start the adoption process. They talked about having biological children, but both felt strongly that they wanted to adopt first. During the first year of residency (which is notoriously the most challenging!), Sarah started thinking more seriously about beginning the adoption process. Jere started researching how feasible it would be with his schedule and their current financial situation and realized it would be incredibly challenging!
Thankfully, God made it clear to both of them that His timing to begin their family was during that first year of residency, as it would require faith that he would provide the time and resources to make this adoption a reality.
Initially, Jere and Sarah sought to adopt from China, but again God made it clear that India was the place from which they would adopt. They both felt strongly about adopting a young girl, as girls are often sold into human trafficking. They plan to adopt multiple children in the future, so bringing home their daughter is just the beginning of their adoption journey.
We don’t have a name for her yet, so as we wait to meet her we call her “Indy”. Thank you for loving and supporting Indy with your prayers, words of encouragement, and donations. We are so thankful for your willingness to join us in this journey to build our family and bring our girl home.
As you may know, this process is expensive, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to partner with Josiah’s Adoption Fund through Lifesong for Orphans as they have given us a $3,500 matching grant. Josiah’s Adoption Fund will match up to $3,500 of whatever we raise. We are so grateful for this ministry and thankful for anything you are willing to give.
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 “Essig 09784”, 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.