Nathaniel Faske Memorial Adoption Grant
The Nathaniel Faske Memorial Adoption Grant was established to honor the life and legacy of Nathaniel Faske, a beloved son, brother, and friend, and to continue his story of adoption bringing hope and family to children in need.
Nathaniel was adopted in 2002 from Magadan, Russia at the age of six by the founders of Here I Am Orphan Ministries, along with two of his younger siblings. Nathaniel’s life was marked by joy, compassion, and an incredible ability to make others feel seen and loved. He was full of life, always ready to help, and known for his contagious sense of humor.
On April 23, 2017, Nathaniel went to his heavenly home following a tragic automobile accident. While the loss of Nathaniel has been deeply painful, there is comfort in knowing that his life continues to bear fruit through the love he shared and the lives he touched.
An annual $5,000 adoption grant is awarded in Nathaniel’s memory to assist families pursuing adoption—reflecting the very gift that changed his life forever. Through this grant, Nathaniel’s legacy lives on by helping bring children home to families who are answering God’s call to adopt.
Though we do not always understand this side of heaven, we trust in the promise that we will see Nathaniel again. Until then, we honor him by continuing the work he represented: love, family, and hope for every child.
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Nathaniel, age 21 (2017)
Grant Awardees History
The Reyes family
2025 Nathaniel Faske Memorial Grant Awardee
Tim and Lanie Reyes
We are honored to announce the 2025 recipients of the Nathaniel Faske Memorial Grant: Tim and Lanie Reyes of Tennessee.
The Reyes family is a beautiful testimony of sacrificial love and faith. They are parents to five children, including two special needs children adopted from Haiti that were welcomed home in May of 2025. Their yes to adoption reflects the very heart of this grant—bringing hope, healing, and belonging to children who need it most.
The Sellers family
2024 Nathaniel Faske Memorial Grant Awardee
Matthew and Christy Sellers
Matthew and Christy Sellers are the parents of seven children (six currently at home). Their youngest four children were internationally adopted from Ethiopia, China, and Bulgaria, and they are currently in the process of welcoming two more children home from Haiti.
The Sellers share that they are “grateful that God has called us to a front-row seat to His redemption and grace.” Matthew and Christy, thank you for faithfully demonstrating God’s love and for caring so deeply for His children.
The Fanselau Family
2023 Nathaniel Faske Memorial Grant Awardee
Michael and Shelly Fanselau
Michael and Shelly Fanselau adopted three brothers in 2012 and later welcomed their younger biological siblings, Xavian and Anastasia, into their home in 2016, believing they were on the path to a permanent adoption. After 14 months in the Fanselaus’ stable, loving care, the two younger children, both U.S. citizens who only speak English, were abruptly removed by county authorities in 2017 and placed with their biological father who then took them to live in a remote Mexican village, leaving them there with relatives they did not know.
After years of advocacy, legal battles, and more than $100,000 in costs, the children were finally reunited with their family in a moment that felt like a movie scene—standing on opposite sides of the border as Xavian and Anastasia walked back into their parents’ arms—and were officially adopted, and home for good.
Kirstin Vanada
2022 Nathaniel Faske Memorial Grant Awardee
Kirstin Vanada
Kirstin Vanada moved to Uganda in 2017 to serve as a missionary at a school for vulnerable children. During COVID lockdowns in 2020, she opened her home to care for a special needs child, and after the child returned to the orphanage, Kirstin began praying about the possibility of adoption—despite not knowing how that could happen as a single woman on the mission field.
God faithfully provided a way, and Kirstin was able to adopt 10-year-old Shifra from Uganda and bring her home to the United States. She is deeply grateful to be Shifra’s mom and is passionate that every child experiences the love and security of a forever family.