Before Chase became our son, he experienced significant trauma, abuse, and neglect during the first 18 months of his life while in foster care. While adoption brought him into a loving, stable family, the effects of his early experiences did not simply disappear. The wounds created during a child's earliest years significantly impact how they trust others, form relationships, and experience connection with the people who love them most.
Like every adoptive parent, we hoped that love, stability, and family would be enough to help Chase heal and thrive. We love him deeply and, over the past 3 years, have prayed relentlessly, pursued many therapies, supports, and interventions while doing everything we could to help him heal within our family and home. As we searched for help, we repeatedly encountered closed doors due to Chase's age and the complexity of his needs. We exhausted local behavioral health resources, pursued therapies, evaluations, and supports, consulted with professionals experienced in trauma and attachment disorders, and explored options both within and outside Pennsylvania. Time and again, we were told that Chase's needs exceeded what available services could adequately address. We have learned that every adoption journey is different, and that God writes each child’s healing journey in a unique way.
Over time, it has become increasingly clear that his needs are beyond what we are currently able to safely and sustainably provide within a traditional home environment alone. After much prayer, counsel, and consideration, we have made the difficult decision to pursue long-term therapeutic residential care through My Father’s Arrows, a Christian program specializing in children with severe trauma and attachment challenges.
My Father's Arrows provides care within a structured Christian children's home/ ranch environment that combines equine therapy, education, daily responsibilities, and meaningful relationships. Our hope is that Chase will not only receive the therapeutic support he needs, but also experience the joys of childhood that trauma so often steals from children—the opportunity to play, learn, build healthy relationships, and simply be a child.
This decision has come from our love and responsibility as Chase's parents to pursue the help he needs in order to heal and grow. This is not the path we imagined for our son, nor the one we would have chosen, but we believe it offers him the best chance to heal and thrive.
At this program, Chase will receive:
• trauma-informed therapeutic care
• opportunities for emotional restoration
• continued love and connection with family
We know our Heavenly Father specializes in healing brokenness and restoring what has been lost. While the losses have been great for Chase and trauma has taken much from his young life, we are believing God for redemption and hope, even if the path to healing isn't linear.
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with dwellings.” Isaiah 58:12
The financial burden of therapeutic care is significant. Chase is expected to remain in the program for at least a year, and because MFA is a Christian-based program, the cost is not covered by insurance. In addition to the cost of the program itself, our family will be facing expenses related to airfare and travel to Florida, lodging during visits, medical and therapeutic needs for Chase, and time away from work in order to participate in visits and calls. Our family's financial commitment is expected to be approximately $96,000 over the next year.
To help meet these needs, we have been blessed with a $8,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans. This means that every dollar donated toward Chase’s fundraiser will be matched dollar-for-dollar until the full $8,000 match has been met, doubling the impact of each gift.
Any support, prayers, or sharing of this fundraiser means more than we can express as we walk through one of the hardest seasons our family has ever faced.
Thank you for loving our family, praying for Chase, and walking alongside us.
Ben & Sarah
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 “Lapp 90711”, 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