Forever Families Found

Very early on in our marriage, we had conversations about the possibility of adopting someday, but were overwhelmed with the unknown, and life itself. After 15 years of marriage and some major life transitions, God continued to bring forth the adoption conversation. After talking with some friends about their adoption story and having some more conversations as a family, we felt God calling us to step out in faith and begin the process, even amidst the unknowns. Our longing to adopt stemmed from a desire to live out the Gospel in our family and home (James 1:27). After researching multiple international adoption agencies, the Lord in His grace and mercy, brought us to Lifeline Children’s Ministries to facilitate our adoption.
 
We truly believe it is a gift from God that we got connected with Lifeline. Along this same time, we reached out to many other organizations and ministries, including Here I Am Orphan Ministries to help with grants and becoming a partner with us for a lifetime through the Forever Families portion of their ongoing work for orphans and the families who adopt them into FOREVER HOMES. God blessed us with so many partnerships! All of these ministries have been by our side throughout this entire adoption process, from filling out the application forms, to handling the government-required paperwork, to traveling to Bulgaria to meet and pickup our children. Lifeline, Here I Am Orphan Ministries, and other organizations have equipped us in so many ways when it comes to the journey of becoming a Forever Family. After a year and a half of paperwork, medical checks, education and a lot of prayer, on Valentine’s Day of 2024 we brought home our two children from Bulgaria by the grace of God. For almost a year now we have been learning how to connect, heal, and grow as a family of five. We believe it takes a village to raise a family, and we are so thankful for so many amazing organizations and their partnership in our village.

We have three precious kids, 2 of which were adopted from Burundi.  While we thought our family was complete, God had other plans.  Our son always wanted to see pictures that we took from his orphanage and always had one little girl that made him smile.  So we kept in touch and had the director send us pictures every so often until one day he notified us that she no longer had any family that was able to care for her, and she has aged out of that orphanage to a different place in the country.  So we started the process (several years ago) and came home with her in August of 2024. God is so good!

The Fisher family runs an incredible children’s home in Belize, ministering to these children with a Christ centered home life. Two children from their home were adopted by a family in the United States. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it became clear that these children needed a new placement.  
  The Fishers immediately traveled to the U.S. from Belize to assess the situation. After careful consideration, they made the life-changing decision to adopt the two children themselves, ensuring they would not return to Belize as orphans. This decision required them to live in the U.S. for a year, navigating the legal systems of four different states, all while continuing to manage their children’s home in Belize remotely.  
  Throughout this challenging journey, they witnessed God’s provision and faithfulness, as He guided them through each obstacle and met their needs in extraordinary ways. Now, the family is finally HOME, thriving together, and continuing their impactful ministry to those in need in Belize. A grant from Here I Am Orphan Ministries played a part in bringing these children home and the family is grateful for that and even more grateful for the continued prayers through the process. Welcome home, Family!  
  As a wonderful addition to this story, HIAOM's Forever Families team had the privilege of traveling to Belize to lead a retreat for the mothers who run each “foster” home within the Children’s Home. The women cherished the opportunity for rest and renewal, as well as the chance to connect, share, and learn together. With no children present, they engaged in meaningful discussions and discovered new ways to support one another individually.  
  It was a true joy to serve these dedicated women and witness their unwavering commitment to caring for the children and sharing God’s love with each one. Thank you, Here I Am Orphan Ministries, for your dedication to every aspect of adoption and for serving orphans not only in the United States but around the world. This is the heart of Kingdom work!