Dear Friend,
Thirteen years ago, over lunch, Rick and I shared our desire to grow our family through adoption.
Fast forward, it came as no surprise, that after blood work, doctors & fertility specialists – God was leading us toward something bigger (& faster) than we could have imagined. In 2018, when given our options for growing our family, we clearly heard God’s call to adopt.
In 2022, we joyfully welcomed home Samuel through private adoption. Samuel means “God heard,” and it couldn’t be more fitting. After six years of prayers, God truly heard & blessed us with our sweet boy. Shortly after Samuel turned one, we began prayerfully considering our next adoption, feeling called to grow our family once again.
May 2024 we were home study approved for a infant domestic adoption with Lifeline Children’s Ministry. Lifeline works with families who see adoption not only as a way to welcome a child into their home but also as a ministry to the birth family. We feel deeply called to this purpose and are eager to form a meaningful relationship with the birth family.
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Why is adoption so expensive?
– Home Study, Fingerprinting, Background Checks & CPR Training: $2,000.00
–Lifeline Agency Fees: $32,000.00
Agency fees cover birth parent counseling services, education & resources before considering adoption placement. These fees include birth parents’ post placement counseling services, agency licensing, paperwork, adoptive parent education, outreach, expectant parent support, developing post-placement arrangements & post-placement visits. A flat fee also helps cover birth mother expenses.
– Travel – $10,000.00
We expect to travel out of state & will be required to stay 2-4 weeks. This includes Airbnb, flights & car rental.
– Legal Expenses – $6,000.00 – $8,000.00
How Can You Help?
PRAY:
– For God’s perfect timing & the details to fall into place.
-That God would prepare our hearts & our home as we anticipate to welcome home a new baby.
-For the health, safety & God’s peaceful presence for expectant birth mama & baby.
GIVE:
We are humbly asking if you would consider making a tax-deductable donation to help us reach our goal of $50,000.00 to cover the adoption expenses. Donations can be made directly to our fundraiser through Lifesong. Additionally, we will be applying for as many grants as we can, including one with Show Hope.
SHARE:
Please help us spread the word by sharing this message with friends & family who may be interested in supporting our adoption journey or learning more about the process.
We cannot fully express our gratitude for your prayers & encouragement as we begin this journey again. This journey has continued to be an incredible testament to God’s faithfulness, His love for us & our dependency on Him.
Thank you for your consideration in blessing us this season.
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask, or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:17-21
With love,
Rick, Elisa & Samuel Lewis
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 “Lewis 11045”, 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