It's important to realize that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No. We adopt because we are rescued.'' -- David Platt
We are Richard and Joanna Hager, a couple from Birmingham, Alabama, who have been married since 2013. From the time of our marriage, adoption was always on our hearts. The importance of adoption was reinforced by our first pastor, David Platt, at the Church at Brookhills. As the quote above mentions, we believe we are rescued and adopted as God’s children - a title of which we are immeasurably unworthy. We are not saviors, but we have been saved and we hope to offer the unconditional love that we have experienced. At the time of our marriage, we envisioned a future with both biological and adopted children. And in 2015, we happily announced our first pregnancy of a baby boy. It wasn’t long; however, that we realized our son would face a number of medical and developmental challenges. Scans showed signs of hydrocephalus, or swelling in the brain. And as swelling continued, the brain’s ability to fully form was negatively impacted. Later, imaging discovered a cleft lip and palate, as well as amniotic banding around his fingers. Much was uncertain during this time, but we knew we valued life and wanted to protect our son, even if that meant providing for his care long into adulthood.
Although we were told that our son, Jed, may not survive, we were elated when he was born with the ability to breath, eat, and look around a room full of doctors jumping to his aid. God carried our new family through the surgeries, therapies, and school meetings ahead. Before becoming parents, we knew that we wanted to adopt. But it wasn’t until loving, advocating, and walking through hard things with our own son, that we fully grasped the importance of caring for the vulnerable. Jed, now eight, attends school and thrives alongside his friends. In fact, he is most often found walking the hallways of his school and church asking for high fives and insisting he “sit and talk” to anyone along his path. We look forward to a day when he might “sit and talk” with a sibling of his own. We envision a child joining our family for bike rides on the trail across the street. And playing along with our growing collection of musical instruments. We envision a seat filled beside us at Sunday morning worship, where Jed claps loudly and points to the stage in excitement. We hope to enrich the life of another child, as our own lives have been enriched by God’s grace.
God has provided abundantly for our family of three, even during seasons of uncertainty. Jed, who has endured some 18 operations, will likely require our savings and support throughout his life. Because of this reality, we want to be mindful of his complex needs as we pursue the adoption of another child. We have begun a savings account of 75,000 for Jed, and hope to keep these savings intact and not use for adoption expenses so that we can provide for his future medical and dependent living care. We plan to adopt from Taiwan, and have been told to expect a cost of $55,000. We’ve already invested about $15,000, and our employers will support up to $8,000. We hope to fundraise and pursue grants for the remaining 30,000. The calling to adopt is not one that we take lightly, and we pray that we will have the support of others who are called alongside us. We feel tremendously grateful for your consideration of our family’s adoption 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 “Hager 11582”, 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