How much does adoption cost for a sibling set of 7? It's a question we get fairly often, and those that are trying to be polite and not ask are often thinking it.
Before I answer that, let me address what it would cost NOT to adopt. It would mean that a child or children would grow up without a family, without the unconditional love and support that comes from a mom and dad, without the security of knowing that there is always someone who loves them and is praying for them, and without someone there to provide encouragement and comfort. It would mean not having someone to read them a bedtime story, or teach them how to cook; not having someone to share in their joys or someone to wipe away their tears when they hurt; not having someone to cheer for them at their sporting events, and applaud them at their graduation, or to walk them down the aisle...etc
Okay, you probably already know those things, but those things are more important than the finances.
But, here is the even scarier part of what it would cost NOT to adopt: for us, it would mean, we were being disobedient to our Heavenly Father! It would mean that we refused to follow the path He made clear to us...and that is not an option for us.
So...here's what you have been waiting for:
Application fee $ 200---paid
Home Study fee $1,500---paid (discounted to $850 and paid by OH grant)
Dossier fee $1,000---paid (by a generous donor)
Coordination Fee $4,500---paid (almost entirely by Quarter Auction)
USCIS I800A Fee $ 805----paid (our children's pool fund they had saved)
Fingerprinting $ 85----paid (paid by OH grant)
Psychological Evaluation $ 1,300---paid (discounted to $600)
Training Series $ 150---paid (previous adoption training sufficient)
ICAB Application & Processing $ 300---paid (our children's pool fund they had saved)
Liaison Fee $ 600---paid (yard sale benefit & photography fundraising)
Orphanage Contribution/Placement fee $ 1,000--paid (multiple people's generous donations)
PAID TO DATE-----------------------$10,090--PAID-------PRAISE THE LORD-----
Additional Expenses not yet covered:
ICAB Pre-travel Processing $3,000
Preplacement & Coordinating $2,500
Agency Fee for additional children $6,000 (that's $1,000 per additional child)
--STILL DUE------------------------$11,500---DUE---------------------------------
That is not including TRAVEL.... which will be accommodations and 8 plane tickets (bringing the sibling set of 7 home, and with only one of us parents traveling to pick up the kids in order to save money) Tickets aren't always the same amount, but we are figuring at least $1,500 each...
---ADDITIONAL TRAVEL EXPENSES $12,000 just in plane tickets--------------
So, we are 1/3 of the way funded! ALLELUIA!!!
**UPDATE...we unfortunately miscalculated some of the fees for a sibling set of 7, and the government requires that Dustin travel too.....HERE are the new, accurate totals.
We are so thankful and blessed by the generosity of so many so far who have helped bring us closer to following God's plan for our lives by helping us bring our children home. Thank you for being an instrument of His provision. We pray God will bless you as you have blessed us!
I had a revelation that released me from the burden of worrying over the finances....(don't worry I am NOT going to plead and ask for money because) I realized that thankfully, it doesn't matter what I say or do. It is all in God's hands. He will provide in whatever way He chooses. He will stir in the hearts of some to donate, or provide grants, or discounts, or whatever way He decides to provide, and it will have NOTHING to do with me or what I write or say. (sigh of relief) Thank God for that! He is in control! And we choose to trust in His promise of provision.
We do covet your prayers. We would ask that God's hand be on this adoption process, that the process would go swiftly and without complication, that those officials handling our paperwork would look favorably on our file, that God would be with each of our children (both in our home and in the Philippines) preparing their hearts for this upcoming transition, that God would give Dustin and I wisdom in how to lead all our expanding family and provide for their individual needs, and that God would provide the necessary financial provisions to bring His children home.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippines 4:19
Before I answer that, let me address what it would cost NOT to adopt. It would mean that a child or children would grow up without a family, without the unconditional love and support that comes from a mom and dad, without the security of knowing that there is always someone who loves them and is praying for them, and without someone there to provide encouragement and comfort. It would mean not having someone to read them a bedtime story, or teach them how to cook; not having someone to share in their joys or someone to wipe away their tears when they hurt; not having someone to cheer for them at their sporting events, and applaud them at their graduation, or to walk them down the aisle...etc
Okay, you probably already know those things, but those things are more important than the finances.
But, here is the even scarier part of what it would cost NOT to adopt: for us, it would mean, we were being disobedient to our Heavenly Father! It would mean that we refused to follow the path He made clear to us...and that is not an option for us.
So...here's what you have been waiting for:
Application fee $ 200---paid
Home Study fee $1,500---paid (discounted to $850 and paid by OH grant)
Dossier fee $1,000---paid (by a generous donor)
Coordination Fee $4,500---paid (almost entirely by Quarter Auction)
USCIS I800A Fee $ 805----paid (our children's pool fund they had saved)
Fingerprinting $ 85----paid (paid by OH grant)
Psychological Evaluation $ 1,300---paid (discounted to $600)
Training Series $ 150---paid (previous adoption training sufficient)
ICAB Application & Processing $ 300---paid (our children's pool fund they had saved)
Liaison Fee $ 600---paid (yard sale benefit & photography fundraising)
Orphanage Contribution/Placement fee $ 1,000--paid (multiple people's generous donations)
PAID TO DATE-----------------------$10,090--PAID-------PRAISE THE LORD-----
Additional Expenses not yet covered:
ICAB Pre-travel Processing $3,000
Preplacement & Coordinating $2,500
Agency Fee for additional children $6,000 (that's $1,000 per additional child)
--STILL DUE------------------------$11,500---DUE---------------------------------
That is not including TRAVEL.... which will be accommodations and 8 plane tickets (bringing the sibling set of 7 home, and with only one of us parents traveling to pick up the kids in order to save money) Tickets aren't always the same amount, but we are figuring at least $1,500 each...
---ADDITIONAL TRAVEL EXPENSES $12,000 just in plane tickets--------------
So, we are 1/3 of the way funded! ALLELUIA!!!
**UPDATE...we unfortunately miscalculated some of the fees for a sibling set of 7, and the government requires that Dustin travel too.....HERE are the new, accurate totals.
We are so thankful and blessed by the generosity of so many so far who have helped bring us closer to following God's plan for our lives by helping us bring our children home. Thank you for being an instrument of His provision. We pray God will bless you as you have blessed us!
I had a revelation that released me from the burden of worrying over the finances....(don't worry I am NOT going to plead and ask for money because) I realized that thankfully, it doesn't matter what I say or do. It is all in God's hands. He will provide in whatever way He chooses. He will stir in the hearts of some to donate, or provide grants, or discounts, or whatever way He decides to provide, and it will have NOTHING to do with me or what I write or say. (sigh of relief) Thank God for that! He is in control! And we choose to trust in His promise of provision.
We do covet your prayers. We would ask that God's hand be on this adoption process, that the process would go swiftly and without complication, that those officials handling our paperwork would look favorably on our file, that God would be with each of our children (both in our home and in the Philippines) preparing their hearts for this upcoming transition, that God would give Dustin and I wisdom in how to lead all our expanding family and provide for their individual needs, and that God would provide the necessary financial provisions to bring His children home.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippines 4:19
Do you have an estimated time that you will be approved to travel and pick them up? I was wondering the time frame to know about fundraising and contributions?
ReplyDeleteYou are very sweet Tracy! We don't have an exact timeline, but our dossier is in country. We are hoping they will be home by Christmas (Lord willing).
ReplyDeleteHi Bestul Family! Just wanted to let you know that the High Springs/Alachua, FL folks are praying for your family and the adoption. Nancy G. shared the thank you letters and baby goat pictures...how SWEET! Your hearts to serve the Lord are a great encouragement to us and we hope we can reciprocate that encouragement to you. Ezra 1:5-7 Blessings, Kim W.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim! Thank you for your kind words, your support, and your encouragement. We are so grateful to you for your prayers for our family and our adoption! They mean more to us than you will ever know! May God bless you!
ReplyDelete