A smile we have not yet seen…but God sees. A laughter we have not yet heard…but God hears. A face we have not yet beheld…but God beholds. A name we do not yet know…but God knows for His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and our little girl, whomever she is, is somewhere in China under the Lord’s loving eye and tender watch. He fearfully and wonderfully made her, knitting her together, to, someday, bring her home to us, her family.
God has had her on our hearts for many years. Since I, Stephanie, was 14 years old, I wanted to adopt a little girl from China. As the Lord does, he grew the desire to adopt in Kyle’s heart as well. When we were first married, almost 13 years ago, we knew we wanted to adopt at some point. In early 2017, after our 5th child was born, we excitedly began the adoption process- a process we thought would lead us to bringing a little girl, our little girl, home in late 2018 or early 2019. However, only a few short months later, China changed some of their adoption rules, and we found ourselves with an additional 18 months tacked onto our already long wait. And yet, we trusted that God’s ways are higher than our ways. Next month our daughter, our 5th child, will be turning 3 years old, and, with that, we hope to be sending off a box of paperwork to China to start additional waiting to be matched.
Adoption is both a lengthy and costly process. It will cost us over $40,000 and yet, the Lord has already provided abundantly as he often does! In May 2017, we had a garage sale in which we prayed for $3,000. God provided $4,000! In December 2018, we had a Christmas market at our home in which we were only expecting $1,000. God provided $3,000. God’s ways are higher than our ways. God knows the cost of adoption more than we will ever know as it cost him his son’s life to adopt us. We will never come close to paying the price He paid for us. Therefore, we rejoice at the opportunity to adopt! We share these costs with you so that you will know how to pray for us and what this journey looks like for us. We share these stories of God’s provision so that you too will be reminded of God’s faithfulness!
We are so grateful for Lifesong for Orphans and our church, College Park Church, who has provided us with a $4,000 matching grant. This means that for every $1 you give towards bringing HER home, using the link below, College Park Church will match every $1 up to $4,000! We are so grateful for this generosity! We know that everyone is not able to adopt, and so we are humbled by those of you who have and will come alongside us, either through financial gifts or prayers or both. You are helping us bring HER home!
We covet your prayers for HER, HER safety and protection, for HER caretakers, and for God to bring HER home to us soon! We will update you as we are updated. We cannot wait for the day that we can replace all the words HER with a name that God already knows. In the meantime, we trust in Him and remember that “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
For payment options:
Checks should be payable to “Lifesong for Orphans.” In the memo, note family name (BINGEL) and family account number (8224) to assure it goes to the correct account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, 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.
To pay online, click the DONATE button on this page. NOTE: Your donation is processed by STRIPE with a 2.2% + $.30 (3.5% for AMEX) per transaction fee. 100% of the donation received by Lifesong will go directly to your account. *If using the mySTORY platform, please direct online donations to your specific mySTORY webpage.
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 “Bingel 8224”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, 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.