Our story begins in 2008 when Andres & Rachel, two college students had their first date at Steak N’ Shake in Springfield, MO. Country, mid-western girl– Rachel from Missouri meets city, beach-boy– Andrés from Ecuador, South America. We attended sister-colleges in Missouri and fell in love over our faith in Jesus Christ and worshipping Him… and Rachel happened to pronounce Andres’ name correctly the day they met! We’ve been married for thirteen years and are thankful to have this opportunity to share with you our heart for the orphan… the least of these.
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We have always felt a deep calling to adopt, even on our first date we talked about what our ideal family would be like– and the term adoption arose in our conversation. In 2009, Rachel’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Kathy began their own journey fostering, and eventually adopted two wonderful girls who are now our first cousins.
Our third year of marriage (in 2014), we were on a church staff in O’Fallon, Illinois, and we took the plunge to begin the foster-to-adopt journey, becoming licensed to foster in the state of Illinois. Soon after (in late 2015), God opened up the door for a move to Colorado to serve on the amazing church staff of Radiant Church, with the worship and media team. We then began the foster-to-adopt process again in Colorado.
The week that we attended our first orientation class (in 2017), we found out we were pregnant! However, our joy turned to sorrow in that we experienced a miscarriage of a precious little 14-week-old. Within a few weeks, we were continuing the process of being licensed in Colorado. And as soon as we completed the in-person foster training we found out we were pregnant, yet again! Our miracle boy, Luca, was born in July, 2018!
During the time of lockdown in 2020, we felt God stirring our hearts again toward adoption. We took our next step in the process – and desired to adopt from a South American country, since Andres is from Ecuador. In 2022, Ecuador opened up a program and we eagerly began the paperwork and education. We completed our medical exams, home study, our psychological evaluation and worked many late nights on the Hague training. We became home study approved in Summer 2023!
However, in late 2023, through Andres’ family, we experienced their heartbreak as the level of violence and civil unrest increased in Ecuador. We knew that the doors were shutting, and our hearts were crushed as our dreams of adopting from Ecuador dwindled away.
After much prayer, in February of this year, we began the process of pursuing a child(ren) from a country in Eastern Europe. We know there has been increased movement in this particular program, as the need for adoptive parents is great.
We are grateful for the support we’ve received by our adoption agency, Nightlight Christian Adoptions. In our short time transitioning to NCA, we have updated our home study, completed FBI Clearances, apostilled documents in Denver and Washington DC, and have paid many fees, all from our savings and earnings. And we can say our dossier is now officially submitted and translated!
We have been actively fundraising since the beginning of 2022. We have taken on extra side jobs to raise funds, including babysitting, running sound and cameras for events – and also leading worship for retreats. Due to these drastic changes in not only switching countries, but also shifting agencies – we are actively seeking funding. We’ve used up our savings and all personal funds raised towards home study updates, program fees, education and dossier submission, totaling several thousand dollars.
When it comes to the financial aspect of adopting, God has been teaching us that He is our provider. And through the many hurdles and barriers to adoption, we are continually reminded that GOD IS IN THE DETAILS, and HE GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO REMIND US THAT IN HIS HOUSE ARE MANY ROOMS, THAT HE IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR US… so all of our efforts in this journey of bringing home our children is not in vain! We’ve been on this journey for more than ten years, and we are desperate to move along in the process. And we know that nothing is too hard for our God!
Many have asked… why does it cost so much to adopt these days? Our response to this question isn’t a simple black-and-white, set-in-stone answer. For the Ecuador program there were requirements that we completed (like the psychological evaluation, which was $600). There are also additional requirements that the state of Colorado places on families. With each education and training, there are costs involved.
We are sharing our story with our family and friends, asking you to partner with us in this journey. This is how you can help:
1. PRAYER SUPPORT:
• for protection for our future children, that whether they are in a foster home or orphanage, that care and protection would be given to them
• that God would prepare our own hearts & home for the upcoming changes to our family
2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
• Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us cover the $35,000 for our adoption expenses (agency fees, updated USCIS approval, updated home study paperwork & mileage for our home study worker, foreign fees, airfare, our child’s visa and any medical exams needed)?
Regarding the finances we need – we are excited and so very thankful as we announce we have received an $8,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans and Ephesians 3:20. That means that every dollar you donate up to $8,000 will be matched! Our goal date for this $8000 is November 7, 2024, but funds will be accepted towards our adoption after that, until the adoption is complete.
• If you would like to write a check, please make checks payable to ‘Lifesong for Orphans’ and on the check memo line please note: “Preference #11042 Lara Ponce”. This ensures that your donation will go to our family’s fundraising account.
• Please Have Checks Mailed To: Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744. Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.
• Another option is to give online. Click the DONATE button on this page.
• In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. 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. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
Thank you for investing in our little family! We are taking this leap of faith, and believing that GOD IS IN IT. We look forward to updating you with details as we receive them.
We believe with all of our heart that God is calling some of you to pray for us, some to give and some to open up your hearts to the possibility that God may be asking you to adopt, whether from the US or abroad. We know that many are called to adopt within the Church, and have yet to take their next step. We believe that every child is important to God- therefore every child should be important to us as Christ followers. Thank you for taking the time to hear our story!
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 “Lara Ponce 11042”, 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
