David and I, Teresa, have always had a desire to adopt from early in our marriage. Due to some medical issues, we thought adoption would be our only option. However; the Lord blessed us with two beautiful biological children that we love very much. We have continued to have the desire to adopt, but the opportunity never really arose, until now.
In March of 2017 our family moved to the north coast of Honduras to serve as missionaries with a ministry that includes a hospital, bilingual school, and orphanage. Teresa was serving as a teacher at the bilingual school, and David was serving in the maintenance department for the entire ministry. Our family was transitioning well into a new culture and routine. That’s when the Lord brought two very special children into our lives.
In July of 2017, a sibling pair came to our orphanage after being abandoned by their parents. They were quiet, scared, and didn’t trust anyone. As the teacher of the older sister, I felt a tug on my heart toward these two. They had never been in school, and I found myself becoming the advocate for this timid girl who should have been in second grade, but couldn’t even write her name.
Later in 2017, we were asked to be a mentor family to these two. Our goal was to give them positive family experiences, and to help them learn to trust again. As the kids began weekly visits at our house, we quickly grew to love them. They fit so well with our two biological kids, and it just seemed natural having them around.
We started talking about the possibility of adopting these two sometime in 2018, but quickly found out that this would be impossible. The kids were never registered at birth, which meant they did not have birth certificates, and their birthdates were unknown. In addition, their family could not be located to get them registered. Technically, they did not exist in Honduras and, therefore, could neither be declared abandoned nor be adopted. They would be lost in the foster system forever.
Our hearts were broken, but we knew the Lord had us in their lives for a reason. We have continued loving on these kids, and praying for a miracle for them. David and I have now been their “padrinos” (godparents) for over four years. Our family has had the privilege of celebrating Kindergarten graduations, birthdays, holidays, and other milestones with these two. Our love for them has grown, and our desire to adopt them has remained.
Suddenly, in the summer of 2021, the children miraculously received birth certificates. This is a miracle in itself. Just two weeks later, they were then declared abandoned by the courts. Miracle number two. Our family was out of the country on furlough, and did not find out until November of 2021. When we learned of this news, we began to pray for clarity and discernment. David and I talked with our children, Levi and Zoey, to make sure this was something they wanted as well. We were put in contact with people who knew the children’s case, and lawyers who were working on their case. The Lord very quickly revealed that this was what He had planned for our family. Our desire to adopt was coming to fruition!
We were put in contact with Nightlight Christian Adoptions, who has worked with adoptions in Honduras for quite some time. They have been super helpful thus far, and we feel so very blessed by their knowledge and help. We are working very hard to get through the adoption process as quickly as we can. The children that we desire to adopt and bring into our family are older and have priority for adoption. Honduras is aware of our desire to adopt these children, and they know of our history with them. They are simply waiting for our paperwork to come across their desks to match us up with these two precious children.
Finances are the only thing holding us back. We are expecting to need approximately $45,000 to complete the adoption process. We quickly pulled $2,000 from our savings to get this process started. As a family, we are making daily sacrifices to save money that will go toward the adoption costs as well. However, with an expedited process, we are needing the finances faster than we can save.
David and I know this wonderful experience and addition is what the Lord has for our family. We have watched Him fling doors open and work miracle after miracle to make this possible. This matching grant is yet another way we see the Lord working to make this possible! While we are doing everything we can to raise the funds needed, we know He is also asking us to trust Him in the finances and we are expectantly believing that He will come through again.
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 “Roberts 10001”, 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
