The number one question Stacy and I get is, “Isn’t adoption expensive? How much did it cost?”
“A lot,” I reply.
They go on, “How much specifically?”
I say, “A child does not have a price tag. However, there are adoption costs. The cost for our international adoption process was $26,000.”
They respond with, “Too expensive. That’s why we can’t do it.”
(but you drive a $35,000 new car with payments. Hmm.)
Hold on a second. It is not like we make a lot money. Trust me. You can do it if (1) God calls you in this direction and (2) you exercise personal discipline.
Here is how we did it:
- We prayed for three years before ever feeling God confirm this direction.
- We are good stewards of money. We avoid debt like a plague.
- We cut out absolute non-essentials.
- We did not take out any loans.
- We did not receive any grants, albeit we applied.
- We continued to give to others even though we were saving for our own adoption.
- We received a $4,750 credit since Stacy works for Bethany Christian Services.
- We were given $1,000 from one family, $1,000 from another family, and $500 from another.
- We made it a priority to save. It was not always easy.
I know everyone has a different financial landscape. However, you must exercise discipline. Yes, there are grants, loans, and fundraisers out there. On the other hand, do not depend on everyone else to redeem poor habits you might have with money. God can surprise you! He owns all the money anyways! He wants us to do our part as well.
What adoption really costs is your heart!
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thanks lantz. my friend made the video for us as a memory and to tell others our story.
Thanks for speaking the truth.
Loved the video on the side.
May God grant you strength in the days to come.
Looking at that child or children in your case makes it all worth it.
Absolutely. Great thoughts. I recently read there are 130,000 adoptable children in the US foster care system. Thanks for sharing.
And if finances are the only issue, there are other ways to adopt as well. By going through foster care adoption, we will only spend about $2o0 max out of pocket. There are tons of kids waiting for homes. Our son is a beautiful blessing. Thank God for sending us down this road.
That’s a good word. Thank you for sharing personal info that’s helpful to others.
Jason
I get the same stuff. Our first cost $35k, then we adopted twins, which cost $15k. (we learned a lot the first time!). In both cases we raised funds a variety of ways. This is the standard comparison I use…
My twins cost me the price of a mediocre used minivan. In ten years, I will have two gorgeous half Caucasian, quarter Japanese, quarter Thai twin girls walk in and kiss me and call me daddy, and you will still have your crappy minivan. There will be gum on the seats and the tires will be bald and it will smell like a locker room…and I will look brilliant for spending the money like I did.