God sets the lonely in families. This is what Psalms 68:6 tells us. And this is the promise Ryan and I are clinging to as we step into the unsettled, slightly unknown waters of adoption.
If you were to ask us six months ago if we’d ever adopt, we’d probably respond with something like, “We love the idea, but it’s not for us.” It felt like too much work. Too much money. Too much time. Too much risk. Too much unknown.
It’s amazing what God can do with two hearts in the course of six months.
Because here we are. Adopting. Our hearts united. Filled with excitement and anticipation to meet our newest son or daughter.
The orphan crisis is a global one. It’s not a problem unique to America, or Ethiopia, or China, or any other country. But everywhere in the world, there are children without parents. We strongly believe we should go where we’re called. And after much prayer and research, we feel called to the Congo. It’s a country ravaged by war, poverty, and AIDS. It’s a country with a great need. A country with many orphans.
Sadly, adoption is expensive.
There is a plethora of legal, travel, and medical fees involved. When all is said and done, our adoption will cost somewhere around $25,000. We know that sounds crazy. But we also know God has a special heart for the orphan and He calls us to take care of them in their distress. We are choosing to trust that where He leads, He will also provide.
Only how can He provide if we don’t extend an invitation for people to come alongside us on this journey?
So here it is. Our invitation.
If you’re feeling led, there are several ways you can help us bring one of these little ones into our family:
- Consider donating. We have a savings account set up for our adoption. All money will go directly into this account and every little bit helps. We have a PayPal Donate button on the side bar. If you’d rather send a check, please shoot me an email (katie@katieganshert.com) and I will happily give you our address.
- Commit to praying. This is huge. We will need prayer warriors. Prayer for our child in the Congo. Prayer for us as we jump into the insane busyness that comes with adoption. Prayer for peace, provision, and protection.
- We are planning to have a trivia night/silent auction in June. More details on this will come. But if God has blessed you with a service you can provide or a gift you can give, please consider donating this for the auction.
- A significant cost will involve two round-trip plane ticks to the Congo. So if you have air miles, we would be happy to take those off your hands!
This is a crazy journey. One we’d love for you to be a part of. One I’ll be blogging about right here. In fact, I’ve already started. You can follow our adoption journey by clicking on the link.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and hear our hearts. Thank you so much for your love and support. It means the world to us.
Be blessed this Christmas season. We’re hoping that around this time next year, we’ll be preparing to welcome a new member into our family! We can’t wait to share that moment with all of you!
I do cakes, Katie, and would be happy to donate two for your silent auction:
1) A standard, up to three flavors half-sheet or equivalent value single flavor “shape cake.” (Have included: any kind of ball,cowboy boot,caterpillar, butterfly, dragon, train, fire engine, princess, etc.) (A $35-45 value)
2) An 8″ or 9″ two-layer customized round cake- can decorate to match/coordinate with napkins or invitations (A $25-35 value)
With either of these, the highest value can be deducted off a different cake order of their choice.
I also, may have some empty baskets to donate- Will check and get back to you!
Blessings!!!
[…] A former elementary school teacher, Katie is now a stay-at-home mom attempting to keep up with her three-year-old “wild-child” of a son. Katie, her handsome husband, their active young fellow, and a black lab named Bubba live in the Midwest. The Ganshert family is slated to grow soon, though. Katie and her husband are in the process of adopting a child from the Congo. You can read more about that in this post on Katie’s awesome blog. […]
Wow, that’s exciting. Congrats! How blessed that child will be!
SO excited for you Katie… and praying along side you that God provides, and believing whole-heartedly that he will!
Humbled by the prayers and support. Thank you everyone!
Prayers for you & your family, Katie. God has a global heart & will provide. Bless you for stepping out in faith & opening your heart to care for a lonely soul.
So excited for you as you embrace God’s future for you.
And as I pray for you and your husband, I am also praying how I might be involved in this journey with you.
Amazing how God works and Amen to your decision to follow His will for you. I would love to help in anyway possible, Katie. I will be praying as well that all funds needed will be received for this to take place. Miracles are in the works-so awesome! Congrats, Congrats!
Thanks for all the well-wishes everyone! Much appreciated!
Awesome!! So excited to follow you along on your journey. Weren’t you just recently saying how your life should be messier?! I think you just signed up for super messy and amazing beyond your wildest dreams! Love it! Congratulations!
Good memory Susan! I wrote that post knowing God was leading us toward adoption. So yep, that is where my heart was at the time. Knowing we were about to step into a whole love of messy and beautiful. 🙂
Well congrats!! Lots of prayers for your family. 🙂
That’s so wonderful! Just got a great newsletter from a friend who adopted from Ethiopia…she said adoption might stir up images of unloved, unwanted, unchosen…but for her adoption means the child is loved, wanted and chosen! Just like Christ chose us! What a wonderful testimony, will be praying for you!
Thank you for being so open on sharing your journey! I’m excited for each new installment. 🙂
Sending a prayer for your family– those with you and yet to come. God bless!
Wishing you all the best!!
This is so exciting, Katie! I look forward to hearing about your journey as it progresses and to celebrating with you when you welcome your new son or daughter to your family.
Thank you Keli!