Adoption. This word made its way into conversations from the earliest days of our relationship, and always with a host of positive adjectives. It was a beautiful thing. A palpable picture of God’s redemptive love. A glorious calling on God’s people. We were all in on adoption… as an idea. But as the early years of our marriage passed by, the time never seemed right to pursue adoption. We watched friends take the leap of faith and bring children home, and we championed them wholeheartedly. But the thought of taking that plunge ourselves faded into the backdrop of busy life. Until our trip to India.
In 2016, we travelled to that colourful country to set eyes on a piece of Gordon’s heritage that he had always longed to see (his mother and her family are from India). Little did we anticipate that our eyes would land on something else that would change the trajectory of our lives forever.
While staying with church planter friends who had themselves housed multitudes of orphans, our host, Phebe, pointed out a tiny girl squatting over a hairbrush on the side of a busy street. She explained that the child was collecting hair to sell, as that was probably the only way she would get a bite to eat that week. This haunting spectacle was not a one-off. Over and over again we saw young children alone on the street, gaunt, hollow-eyed, and so little that they should’ve still been rocked to sleep by loving arms. Our host explained that the future was even more grim for these slum-dog children, and especially the little girls. In a county still bound up in the Caste system, there was not a hope for those born at the bottom rung.
We were ready to bring home a little girl then and there, but we were disappointed to learn that adoption to foreigners was prohibited. It was not until our move to the USA in 2019 that we learned through a friend’s photos on Facebook of their new daughter’s homecoming that India had at last opened adoption to the West. After lots of prayer, we decided to take the leap for ourselves, and we opened our application with Lifeline to adopt from India.
The road has felt long and often tedious, and along the way, our family has grown with the blessing of our Harry. But now, as we near the matching phase and look forward to seeing our child’s face and being able to pray for him or her by name, we know that it’s all been worth it. The Lord has brought us this far, and He will be faithful to see us through to “Gotcha Day” and anon. To Him be the glory!
AND… Some BIG Needs:
If you know us well, you know that public sharing is not our strongest suit, so this is going out of our comfort zone. But we’ve been reminded by the adoption process that we desperately need the prayers and support of our friends and family. We cannot do this alone! And so, humbly, we make our requests known to God and our needs known to you, our family, friends, and partners in Christ. Namely these:
1. Please pray for us! As we draw nearer to knowing who our child is and bringing him or her home, our excitement grows, but so do our concerns about the unknown. Please pray against all fear and that our trust in the Lord’s perfect love would snuff it out. Pray for Harry who hasn’t got a clue what’s in store for him – an older brother or sister! – that God would prepare his heart to receive this new sibling joyfully and without any confusion or bitterness. And pray for our child in India – for the process to move along quickly and Gotcha Day to come about in God’s perfect timing and ways. Pray that He would keep our child safe from all manner of harm and prepare his or her heart to receive His and our love!
2. Please consider financially supporting our adoption
The plain fact is this: we need at least $48,000 to cover the adoption costs: from agency fees and medical exams to travel costs and immigration. It all adds up! When we started this process, Gordon was a student and Mez was a struggling author – we had no idea how God would provide. We are still waiting to see, but we know that He who called us to adopt will make a way! We hope and pray that some of you may be part of that way in the making.
The exciting news is *(drum roll)* we’ve been given a $13,000 Matching Grant from Race for the Orphans administered by Lifesong! That means that for every dollar given, a dollar will be matched by Lifesong’s donors up to $13,000. Keep reading to find out how you can contribute.
Here is how you can give to our matching fund:
To give by mail (an option for those in the U.S.) : All donor checks should be payable to “Lifesong for Orphans” and must include family # (ours is 10491) and family last name (Stead) on the memo line of the check. Please mail to: PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
To give online: Use the giving link on this page
*Donations are tax deductible. Here’s what you need to know:
■ Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totalling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
■ In accordance with IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
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 “Stead 10491”, 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