We have always had a desire to expand our family through adoption. While this stage of our journey is new, the process actually began more than three years ago. Both of our families had been involved in foster care in the past and we had always pictured our adoption coming from local foster care. In 2020 we started the process of being approved to adopt through that method. In early 2021 we were fully approved and saw some activity and "soft matches" but never really saw any concrete movement.
Since then we've added our third biological child, but the Lord still had adoption on our hearts. In late 2023 we began exploring other avenues. After some research we landed on Lifeline Children Services which is a Christian adoption agency based in Birmingham, AL. After some initial research and conversations there were a few times we thought we had settled on the country (or "program") we were interested in. In His wisdom, the Lord worked in some pretty apparent ways to push us to apply to the Kyrgyzstan program (if you are not familiar with Kyrgyzstan we encourage you to research it, its a very interesting country).
Our home study was finalized in late March 2024 and currently (early April 2024) we are waiting on a approval from United States Immigration and Custom Services. We hope to have that approval this summer, then all of our paperwork will be sent to Kyrgyzstan. After 2-4 months of processing in country we can expect to be matched with a child.
We are anticipating a 6-8 year old with mild to moderate health needs who is currently living in an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan.
The entire adoption process is estimated to cost $46,000. $16,000 of that being travel (we will make three 10 days trips to Kyrgyzstan). Our prayer has been to raise enough funds to cover the $16,000 in travel expenses. We have received $8,000 in matching grants from Lifesong and 5,000 Orphans. So the first $8,000 raised here will be matched by those grants which comes to exactly that $16,000 we were praying for (it's awesome how God works).
We would appreciate your prayers as we go through this journey and any donation you are able to provide (tax deductible!)
Dillon and Rebecca Powell
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 “Powell 10956”, 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