Hello,
We are Melissa and Nathan Lentfer. We live in Brooklyn Park, MN, a northern suburb of Minneapolis. We had always expected to have biological children, but that wasn't God's plan for our family. After 12 years of marriage, we began thinking about adoption in 2017. In May 2020, we made the decision to adopt from South Korea.
We had initially been exposed to adoption at our church in South Carolina and then became part of a church with a large adoption community here in Minnesota. We considered a few different adoption agencies and attended informational meetings for the whole range of possibilities: infant domestic adoption, international adoption, and foster to adopt.
We wrestled with all these decisions for a few years. Through our mental wrestling, prayers, and discussions with each other, we eventually ruled out infant domestic adoption and foster to adopt. And then in 2020, God brought about the perfect circumstances for us to make a decision and also be ready to move ahead.
Right before everything closed down due to the global pandemic, and Melissa began a “mandatory sabbatical” from her work, we started watching Korean dramas. We enjoyed the Korean culture and just kept watching. Eventually, we wondered, “Could we adopt from South Korea?” Even though we assumed it wouldn’t be possible, we began to do some research online. And to our surprise, we discovered that not only could we adopt from South Korea, but that there was also an agency right here in Minnesota that we could work with!
We shared about the South Korea program with our family, and they were totally on board and encouraged us to take action right away. Around the same time, we had a couple of financial breakthroughs. Our church family also immediately supported us with a financial gift. It appeared that God was clearing out many of the hurdles that had stopped us in the past.
We are currently waiting for a match from South Korea, and we expect it may be a few more months before we have that match. After receiving a match, we may have another year before we travel to South Korea.
At this point, we need another $18,000 to reach our adoption goal. We Care for Orphans has partnered with us for a $3,500 matching grant. Please consider supporting us on our journey either financially or through your prayers.
Thank You,
Nathan and Melissa Lentfer
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 “Lentfer 09771”, 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.
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