Prayed For, Chosen, Forever Loved

Aislynn Turner Atlanta, Georgia

Our adoption journey began as an idea at least 14 years ago during our dating years. God calls us to care for the orphans and widows, and that’s what we wanted to do. We fostered children for 2 years, alongside a few other families in our church. We loved our time as foster parents, and continue to spend time with our three former foster children (now ages 15, 12, and 10!) but it was obvious that season was over. God blessed us with two children and continued to give us a desire for adoption. We prayed for months as a family, and God began to clearly open the door for international adoption. That door has remained wide open! We are so excited to meet our future child from Nigeria.

Why Nigeria? We were initially open to any country, and the case worker laughed when we asked if we could submit an application to all countries that allow international adoption and see which one responds first, but we landed on Nigeria since Bryan and I both have ties to sub-Saharan Africa and a heart for racial reconciliation in our community in Atlanta. In undergrad, my honors thesis was on Kenyan women’s educational and economic empowerment, and I spent 8 weeks living with a local family in Kenya conducting research. It was a life-changing experience; I fell in love with the people and culture. My second undergrad major was in Sub-Saharan African studies – I learned so much, and even published my honors thesis as a book. When Bryan was in the Marines, he had 1 year and 4 months of sea time, deployed off of the coast of Somalia and Kenya. Thus, Africa is near and dear to both of us.

More than 3 years since we applied, we finally received the green light on June 24, 2024 to come to Nigeria to meet Joseph, a sweet 1 1/2 year old boy. We applied for visas right away, then the day before our departure in late July, Nigeria asked us to delay our trip 2 weeks due to government protests. We finally arrived in Nigeria on August 10 and met Joseph at the orphange the same day! On our third day there, the court gave us clearance to bring Joseph to our AirBnb, where he stayed with us for 2 months. Although he was scared and timid for the first couple of weeks, he warmed up to Bryan quickly and slowly warmed up to Aislynn. We made lots of special memories together. On September 2, 2024, we legally adopted Joseph as our son in Nigeria! We had to fly back to the U.S. without Joseph in October 2024 for work and are now patiently waiting on USCIS (immigration) to clear Joseph (they have to investigate his background) and issue his documents to come to the U.S. At that time, we can legally adopt him in the U.S.

Adoption has definitely taught us patience: the application, home study, dossier, initial USCIS approval, and Nigeria approval together took over a year! We then waited about a year for a child referral due to various factors, including a change in staff, our preference for a child age 0-3, and the method that Nigeria uses to process children in “batches.” Our official match from the court came about 3 years into the process. When we flew back to the U.S. from Nigeria in October, we were told to expect about 6-8 months for USCIS to clear Joseph (posibly longer), so that's where we're at now. 

The fees associated with adoption are enormous, close to $50K in agency fees, home study fees, immigration & visa fees, legal fees, and travel. If you feel called to give financially, we appreciate every little bit. You can give a tax-deductible donation via the link on this page. We’re overwhelmingly grateful to have received a $7,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans, so anything you donate up to that amount will be matched. Thank you all for your love and support!

– Aislynn & Bryan


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 “Turner 10077”, 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
Read more
Raised to date by 32 people
 of  $30,000
10 days left

My Story

Our adoption journey began as an idea at least 14 years ago during our dating years. God calls us to care for the orphans and widows, and that’s what we wanted to do. We fostered children for 2 years, alongside a few other families in our church. We loved our time as foster parents, and continue to spend time with our three former foster children (now ages 15, 12, and 10!) but it was obvious that season was over. God blessed us with two children and continued to give us a desire for adoption. We prayed for months as a family, and God began to clearly open the door for international adoption. That door has remained wide open! We are so excited to meet our future child from Nigeria.

Why Nigeria? We were initially open to any country, and the case worker laughed when we asked if we could submit an application to all countries that allow international adoption and see which one responds first, but we landed on Nigeria since Bryan and I both have ties to sub-Saharan Africa and a heart for racial reconciliation in our community in Atlanta. In undergrad, my honors thesis was on Kenyan women’s educational and economic empowerment, and I spent 8 weeks living with a local family in Kenya conducting research. It was a life-changing experience; I fell in love with the people and culture. My second undergrad major was in Sub-Saharan African studies – I learned so much, and even published my honors thesis as a book. When Bryan was in the Marines, he had 1 year and 4 months of sea time, deployed off of the coast of Somalia and Kenya. Thus, Africa is near and dear to both of us.

More than 3 years since we applied, we finally received the green light on June 24, 2024 to come to Nigeria to meet Joseph, a sweet 1 1/2 year old boy. We applied for visas right away, then the day before our departure in late July, Nigeria asked us to delay our trip 2 weeks due to government protests. We finally arrived in Nigeria on August 10 and met Joseph at the orphange the same day! On our third day there, the court gave us clearance to bring Joseph to our AirBnb, where he stayed with us for 2 months. Although he was scared and timid for the first couple of weeks, he warmed up to Bryan quickly and slowly warmed up to Aislynn. We made lots of special memories together. On September 2, 2024, we legally adopted Joseph as our son in Nigeria! We had to fly back to the U.S. without Joseph in October 2024 for work and are now patiently waiting on USCIS (immigration) to clear Joseph (they have to investigate his background) and issue his documents to come to the U.S. At that time, we can legally adopt him in the U.S.

Adoption has definitely taught us patience: the application, home study, dossier, initial USCIS approval, and Nigeria approval together took over a year! We then waited about a year for a child referral due to various factors, including a change in staff, our preference for a child age 0-3, and the method that Nigeria uses to process children in “batches.” Our official match from the court came about 3 years into the process. When we flew back to the U.S. from Nigeria in October, we were told to expect about 6-8 months for USCIS to clear Joseph (posibly longer), so that's where we're at now. 

The fees associated with adoption are enormous, close to $50K in agency fees, home study fees, immigration & visa fees, legal fees, and travel. If you feel called to give financially, we appreciate every little bit. You can give a tax-deductible donation via the link on this page. We’re overwhelmingly grateful to have received a $7,000 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans, so anything you donate up to that amount will be matched. Thank you all for your love and support!

– Aislynn & Bryan


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 “Turner 10077”, 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
Read more

Comments

$220

Hidden

Jul 15, 2024

$100

Jerry

Jul 11, 2024

“Praying for you”

$100

Liza

Jul 10, 2024

“So happy for you guys - and what a lucky little boy to land in your beautiful family! Sending you all the love!”

$250

Katie

Jul 8, 2024

$1,000

Hidden

Jul 5, 2024

“So excited to meet this sweet one!!”

$36

Maya

Jul 3, 2024

$500

Roscoe and Niese

Jul 3, 2024

$100

Anjli & Jordan

Dec 24, 2023

$100

Amanda

Dec 20, 2023

$100

Marlene

Dec 18, 2023

“Thanks for sharing your story! Praying for continued success, favor, and open doors during this process.”

$500

Hidden

Nov 30, 2023

“We are so happy to support your family in this! -Resonate Family”

$1,000

Nannette

Jan 27, 2023

$40

Aaron

Jan 10, 2023

$25

Jessica

Dec 31, 2022

“Sending you lots of love on your new parenting adventure. This child is going to be so lucky to join your family.”

$250

Roscoe

Dec 30, 2022

“Marry Christmas”

$165

Lauren

Dec 28, 2022

“Noonday Collection donation”

$100

Amanda

Dec 17, 2022

$48

Katie

Dec 12, 2022

“Can't wait to meet the newest Turner!”

$25

Erin

Dec 12, 2022

“Best of luck! Charlie, James, Austin, and Erin Igleheart”

$485

Lee

Dec 10, 2022

$100

Jane

Dec 4, 2022

“Dear Aislynn and Bryan, we praise God for your courage and spirit to extend love beyond the borders and show love to another child as God has first loved us. We will be praying and cheering on for you! Best wishes, Jane, Phil, and Emma”

$100

Hidden

Dec 4, 2022

“So excited for you all to take this step! We know the fundraising process can be a long journey, but keep at it! There are a lot of people out there who are willing to help!”

$300

Megan

Dec 3, 2022

“Can't wait to meet the newest member of the Turner crew!”

$1,000

Hidden

Dec 1, 2022

$60

Anita

Nov 24, 2022

$40

Phillip

Nov 21, 2022

“God Bless you non your Journey.”

$20

Meagan

Nov 18, 2022

$20

Jennifer

Nov 18, 2022

“For Hazelnut Coffee”

$100

Josh

Nov 10, 2022

“Congratulations! So happy for your family!”

$50

Anna

Nov 9, 2022

“Excited for you all!”

$20

Hidden

Nov 9, 2022

$50

Hidden

Nov 9, 2022

“may your dreams come true ❤️ sending love from so cal!”