Quite honestly, I'm writing to you today with fear trembling through my fingers, and nervousness pounding my heart like never before - but there is a sweet lil boy on the other side of the world that is waiting for us, and he's our motivation.
As you've heard me say, we've currently paid 9,000.00 in adoption fees and related expenses up to this point.
With that said, the biggest fee is due soon (a whopping $15,000.00)! This fee is the main adoption program fee which includes a $5,700.00 orphanage donation, and the rest of the costs go to cover his Chinese passport and U.S. visa fees costs associated with obtaining updates, costs for personnel, administrative overhead, training and education both in the U.S. and China; Legal adoption services and communications, working with government and agency authorities, central authority fees (including fees related to these services), and child welfare projects in China.
We have prepared to pay the rest of the costs ourselves out-of-pocket (approximately 13k for all traveling expenses which includes our visas, airfare (including in-country flights), guide fees, transfer fees, food, hotel, and more. We are also paying a couple thousand dollar post-placement visit and processing fee as well, all totaling over 15k.
We understand this is our choice. But we also understand it was not his choice to be an orphan. We also certainly do not expect any help, but will graciously take any help that's offered.
I'll always remember a part of one of my favorite adoption books, where the author speaks of being in process to adopt his son from Russia, and an elderly man at his church randomly offered a 10,000.00 check to help. The author continues to write and said he refused the check and said he could never accept such a gift, then the elderly man looked straight in his eyes and simply said, "Look, this isn't about you." Those words stuck with me since. It isn't about us. It never was.
We are beyond thankful for the prayers and words of encouragement that have helped bring us to this point. There are no words to express our gratitude in that alone. We've been asked by a few people how they can help monetarily. I know that when we've helped others in the past, we wanted our money to go the *farthest,* and we've always preferred to donate directly to a cause without purchasing something (let's say I pay $25 for a t-shirt for a fundraiser, the fundraising family gets approximately $15 of that -- that's 10 more dollars I'd prefer just to donate directly -- but I understand why this is amazing for those who like to shop, etc). We also know people are uncomfortable sending checks through the mail, so we looked into our options and created an AdoptTogether account (a fundraising site solely for adoptive families). Most donations are tax-deductible. Once you look at our profile, feel free to check out "How It Works" and watch the video. Many adoptive-families (some we know) have successfully used AdoptTogether.
http://adopttogether.org/stumpfamily
http://adopttogether.org/stumpfamily
Any amount will help, but if you're not able to give and still want to contribute - your prayers are coveted the most. If you want to put some legs on those prayers, feel free to share our story. Share our blog. And share our AdoptTogether site. Every 'Share' helps! You just never know who out there has adoption laid upon their hearts and may be blessed in contributing.
If you missed it, go to our previous post where we introduce our little guy to you!! Yes, there are pictures!!
adopttogether.org/stumpfamily
