Why are we fundraising? I have been asked this question and a few others multiple times lately. I thought I would explain a little.
International adoption is expensive. It is as simple as that. No, we are not buying our daughter. We are paying for legal services, doctor fees, notary fees, attorney fees, homestudy agency fees, social worker fees, ordering copies of personal documents from all over the country, paying for fingerprints, background checks and placement agency fees. The list goes on and on and on.
The money we raise through fundraising efforts goes towards paying for all of these things. If we don't raise it, it doesn't mean we throw in the towel on this adoption. There is a little girl halfway around the world who is counting on us to do whatever we have to in order to bring her home. And even though we don't know who she is just yet, Someone knows who she is and He is also counting on us. We don't plan on letting either of them down.
If that means we have to put ourselves out there and ask people to help us, we will do that. We wish we had the money lying around in our bank account to use for this adoption. That just isn't the case. We both work and we are saving as much as we can every month. We are not going on big vacations, buying fancy cars or eating out all over town. We are using our money to raise the four children we have, while at the same time attempting to save for our new little one. And yes, we thought of how expensive it would be before we started the adoption process. But lack of funds should never stop anyone from adopting a child in need.
We are not choosing to fundraise because we want to buy new furniture and hope that others will pay for our adoption. We are not fundraising because we want a new car and hope others will pay for our adoption. We are not fundraising because we are too lazy to work hard at saving and hope others will pay for our adoption. And last but not least, NO we are not fundraising because we thought it would be a fun way to pass the time until our daughter comes home.
There is no FUN in fundraising. It is work. Hard, uncomfortable, stressful, awkward, embarrassing work. It is not something we are doing by choice. We are fundraising out of need. Just like when others fundraise to go to band camp or on a missions trip, they do it out of need. We are in need of help. This adoption was something we were called to do. We have a heart for orphans and this is the path we chose. We also have sponsor kids, give to worthy causes, volunteer for Ethiopian Orphan Relief, foster kittens for the animal shelter, donate to food banks, cook & serve dinner for the homeless and support other adoption families. We are not going to stop doing these things and giving to these causes once our adoption is complete. We are not trying to be selfish with our asking.
We really do appreciate all the support we have received so far and are very grateful for it. If you would like to help us either by donating money to our adoption, purchasing one of the items we are selling or attending one of the online parties that people set up for us, that would be great. If you would like to pray for us, our daughter in Ethiopia and for all the other children who are waiting for families that would be awesome. If you would like to share our fundraising efforts on facebook and help get the word out to others, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
We know this adoption is completely a God thing. We would not have been led to this place, if we weren't supposed to be here. We trust that God will provide.
