Team Haven
We promised to provide an update on our fundraising efforts, and this is that update.
SPOILER ALERT: IT’S BEEN AWESOME!
First, a little context. We went into the holiday season with approximately $18,000.00 left in expenses to just complete Haven’s adoption. This total basically consists of a $9200 referral fee due when we get our referral (when we find out who Haven is; that’s what that big number over on the right is all about), and travel costs $8800 of travel costs (two trips to Ethiopia and back, each hopefully only 7-10 days in length). When we sent out our fundraising letters we mentioned that had about $15,000.00 left to raise/save. That’s because we had a couple thousand in our adoption account along with another thousand from my mom selling cinnamon rolls (I know. Who knew?).
So, we had applied to a few different organizations that assist with funding adoptions, and now we’ve heard back from two of those.
Obviously, one of those is Lifesong for Orphans. Brook Hills has a partnership with Lifesong where we have endowed some money to be used specifically to help Brook Hills families in the adoption process. Most of this money is distributed through matching grants rather than outright grants. If you received a letter from us or saw a couple of posts ago, then you know that we received one of these matching grants for up to $3000. This meant that we would try to raise money by asking people to donate in our name to Lifesong. Lifesong would then match anything we raised up to $3000. Anything above that would also be for us but wouldn’t be matched. As of yesterday, there is now more than enough in this account to cover the referral fee. So, that’s over $9200.
Then, this week, we heard from another of those organizations, Show Hope. This non-profit was founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. I heard Steven Curtis talk about it a little bit during a panel at GMA week a few years ago. Anyway, they sent us a letter to let us know they were giving us a grant that covers more than half of our total travel costs.
So, combine these together with what we’ve already had saved and we’re basically there. Haven’s adoption is covered. And I haven’t even mentioned the all the people, many of you, who continue to graciously give to us directly.
This whole process has affected us in a number of ways.
Humility – When asking friends, family, acquaintances and complete strangers for money, you have to set your pride aside. I, for one, was deeply ashamed of how difficult this was for me. Then, to experience this outpouring of response has been humbling in a way I have never known. To see some of the names of people who have given to bring Haven home, just reminds me how abundantly blessed I am yet also how undeserving. And, in the moment I think that, I am humbled again as I remind myself, “Listen, you arrogant jerk. It’s not about you! They’re not giving to you! They’re giving to Haven!!” (I’m sometimes harsh on myself).
Peace – Finances can be the source of much trouble in marriage, and it has been in ours from time to time. Lately, our finances haven’t been a source of strife between Liza and me, but it has been a source of stress on both of us. We made the decision for Liza to go ahead and begin staying home rather than working a job. This has been a huge blessing for our family, particularly her and Story, and we know it will make all the difference in Haven’s transition. But that meant we would need to learn to live on one salary. Then, we’ve also been trying to come up with all of this money in addition to the normal life things you don’t plan for. As a result, I’ve tried to take on any and all freelance projects I can get my hands on, which means more work at night and on weekends, which translates into more stress and less “family time.” Knowing that the adoption expenses are generally covered really alleviates a good bit of stress and replaces it with a much needed dose of peace.
Freedom – I’ve been careful to say that these amounts we’ve been discussing are related to Haven’s adoption, because they are. However, that doesn’t begin to paint a full picture of the costs involved. Obviously, there are new costs that go along with any family that adds a member: food, clothing, etc. Having the adoption expenses covered, allows us to focus on preparing for some of these. Right off the bat, we need to prepare Haven’s room as well as get clothes for him or her. Also, we have no way of being able to anticipate what medical needs Haven might have. The international adoption clinic that is in town will be an invaluable resource, but they’re expensive. And, while we have wonderful insurance, depending on Haven’s health, there could be any number of costs involved there. So, there’s still a bit of fundraising/saving to do.
Conviction – I know that I’ve been convicted about my own generosity and greed. I’ve been convicted about some of the ways we spend our money. I’ve been convicted about what it means to be a steward of what is given to you. I’ll just say that God continues to use the process to convict and refine me.
There’s more, but that at least gives you a bit of the picture.
I’ve had to write some of our “Thank You” notes to all those who have given. To be honest, I hate writing “Thank You” notes. I feel like I always struggle with sounding sincere. But, please, let me try.
Thank you.
I will never be able to express to you the difference you’ve made in our family. Even if we were to one day repay what you have donated, it wouldn’t scratch the surface of returning to you what you have given to us.
Through you God has demonstrated his faithfulness and provision to us in new, profound ways.
We obviously are desperately looking forward to having Haven home for so many reasons, but once he or she is here, one of the stories I look so forward to telling him or her throughout his or her life is the one about all of you, how you came together, surrounding us, and enabled us to bring Haven home.
You’ve made a dad, a mom, a soon-t0-be big sister and a soon-t0-be adopted son or daughter very, very happy.
Again, thank you.
GO TEAM HAVEN!