Hello and welcome to our adoption journey! We are thrilled to share our decision to adopt Milena, a 14 year old teenager from Bulgaria. Melissa and I had thought that we were going to be empty nesters when our youngest daughter, Sarah, recently graduated from high school. But, God has a different plan for us. God truly does work in mysterious and wonderful ways. It started with Melissa making a drastic career change, leaving education after 25 years and joining Lifeline Children’s Services. it was because of this career move that Melissa was introduced to Milena’s “waiting child” adoption file. God really spoke to her heart to adopt Milena. We discussed it and prayed about it. Milena’s story is tragic and heartbreaking like every child who is waiting to be adopted. Milena has never known what it is like to be part of a family. She has spent all of her life in foster care or, more recently, in an orphanage. If Milena remained in the orphanage and aged out, she would be put out on the streets and most likely fall victim to sex trafficking. Milena will probably be 15 by time our adoption goes through. But that has not dissuaded us from wanting Milena to become part of our family. While we had prayed to God to make sure this is what He was calling us to do, He had answered our prayer when we heard a sermon that in biblical times once someone was adopted into a family they could never be disowned. God had answered our prayers and we wanted to be obedient to adopt Milena. She will always be our daughter and part of our family.
Our adoption journey continues. We are about half-way through the process, but there is still so many challenges ahead. International adoption is expensive and we are in need of help raising additional funds to complete Milena’s adoption. We are asking for your financial support to help bring Milena home.
Lifesong for Orphans and Saving Street Children have graciously provided a matching grant for every dollar that is donated to our adoption up to $9000. Please join us in our journey to adopt Milena into our family. May God’s favor and blessing be upon you!
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 “Kowieski 09847”, 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
