Thank you for considering being a part of our adoption journey! Our hope is that you get to know us and support us through your prayers as we are so excited to extend our family by adopting again from China! We can’t wait to thank you personally, but until that day comes, here is a little bit of our story…
From a young age, I knew that I wanted to have a family through adoption. I needed to have major surgery when I was 12 years old, and I knew then that having children through natural means would not be likely for me. In college, one of my education professors really captured my interest whenever he told stories of his large family, which was a wonderful mixture of biological, adopted and foster children. I knew that this was what I wanted to do and I dreamed of the day when this would be what my family looked like. I hoped that I would meet a man who would be open to this type of family as well.
Five years later, I met Roger. Roger had 3 boys from a previous marriage, and was exactly what I had hoped for. In 2012, our lives took a different direction when the courts granted his ex-wife permission to move 900 miles away to Texas, taking the boys with her. Although the order stated that we would continue to have joint custody, the physical distance made it impossible to continue to be regularly involved in their day-to-day activities. We went from going to every game, practice, concert and event down to being able to only attend one school event a year, with them joining us on holidays.
With empty rooms now available in the house, we were encouraged to be a host family for the international program at the small Christian schools where I taught. We spent the next 3 years opening our hearts to 3 wonderful students from China. We talked with their families, helped with homework, shared holidays, special events, and graduation together and learned about the cultures and traditions of their country. It was this experience that turned our hearts toward international adoption from China.
We had talked often together about our desire to adopt, but didn’t know where to start. I attended an information event through our church about adoption and left with answers and a huge passion in my heart, knowing that this was finally going to happen for us. Once my husband returned from his overseas deployment with the military, we took our first steps to start the process. We had worked hard saving money and paying off as much debt as we could in anticipation of the staggering costs of an international adoption. We were able to put feet to our faith and travel to China to adopt our son, Lian. We saw God work in wonderful ways, meeting all of our financial needs at exactly the right time, as He always does. We know that whenever we have been called to help minister in missions, a way has always been provided and made abundantly clear.
Since that trip we have been growing closer as a family and enjoyed so many wonderful memories together. Lian brings us so much joy every day and has literally saved the life of his grandmother by bringing hope and joy back to her life. She has since moved in with us. Having seen the miracles of adoption once, God placed the yearning back in our hearts to return to China. Lian is so excited at the thought of becoming a big brother. We have again felt this specific call of God: to love, care and provide for a daughter that we have never met; a daughter that lives thousands of miles away but has been chosen for us; a daughter that needs support, education, opportunity and a set of parents that love her already.
We feel that we are prepared for this special task by going through some of the hardships that we have experienced together. We know what it is like to fight for someone you love, and the rewards that come from opening your heart and home to other cultures. I have navigated the difficult waters of loving children that aren’t biologically mine, and have spent years studying as a teacher on how to help children who are developmentally behind. Roger has sacrificed for his family and country as a member of the US military, and we have financially made this a priority in our lives by stretching our budget to make this happen.
We hope that you will join us in changing the world for this little one. We covet your prayers for our journey together.
Buffy, Roger, Lian and Little Kirkman #2
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 “Kirkman 09522”, 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.