A few weeks ago my wife Kandace and I announced that we would be beginning the adoption process. We are thrilled with the response we have received thus far from our friends and family. We want to take this introductory blog to explain why we are doing this, how we are going to do this, and how you can help partner with us.

Why adopt?

Do you not want to have children of your own? Can you not have children? These are a couple of questions we have received. I do not believe these were intended as rude, but general curiosity. Let’s walk through each of these questions.

Do we not want children of our on? Of course we do! And that is why we are adopting. The child we adopt will be our own child. Admittedly, he or she will not look like me or Kandace. However, I do believe, in time, you will see them in us.

Are we adopting because we are not able to conceive a biological child of our own? While this is an extremely personal, and for many families, hard question I do think it should be addressed to explain our process.Simply, we do not know. One day we will try I am sure to have children biologically. However, this is not our aim for our first child. It may be that we are never able to get pregnant, but for now we simply do not know.

Why India?

-There are over 20 million orphans in India, most in the world.

-India is the third largest HIV positive nation in the world.

-By 8 years old chidren are being taken into sex trafficking.

-20% of female children are forced into prostitution.

-82 girls go into sexual trafficking everyday.

-Over 15 million children are forced into labor.

-India only makes up 7% of US related international adoptions .

As you can see by just a few stats, there is a great need in adoption from India. Whether it be for children to get the medical care they need, prevent them from being trafficked, or any other reason; the need is great. When Kandace I looked at these facts and more our hearts were burdened for India. We spent time praying about where the Lord would call us to adopt from and it was clear, India.

Sometimes people ask the question, “why adopt internationally when there is such a need here in the US?” This is another personal question but one we will answer. I agree, there is a need in the US. This is why we are licensed foster care parents in North Carolina. Still, one child’s need is not greater than another’s. At the end of the day it is a child in need. Our system is not perfect, but we felt called to international adoption.

The Gospel

One reason we feel so compelled to adoption is because of the Gospel. We believe that adoption reflects the heart of God. The book of James tells us that pure religion is one that involves care for the orphans. The gospel is that Jesus came to us when we were orphans, when we didn’t even know we needed help. He came to us and God adopted us as His children into His family. He chose to bring us into His family.

Likewise, we will go and get our child who does not even know we exist. In their need we will bring them into our family and offer love and compassion. We will guide, protect, and sacrifice for that child; our child. We will have the opportunity one day to tell that story to our child. That they were not plan B, they were not a backup plan. No, instead we chose them, we came and got them, and we called them our child.

We pray that the gospel will remain the centerpiece of our adoption journey.

How You Can Partner With Us?

There are many ways you can partner with us. The number one way is to pray. As Christians we believe that prayer is important, and that prayer in community is powerful. Please consider praying with us and for us in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Here are a few ways you can pray for us:

-Pray that the home study with be a smooth and quick process.

-Pray as we decide upon which special needs our family is open to.

-Pray that we will match quickly, enabling us to bring our child home quicker.

-Pray for strength for us as we go through the process, fundraise, and have to wait.

-Pray for our child.

-Pray that God is glorified through every step of this, He receives all honor, and much is made of His name.

In the days and weeks to come we will also do some fundraising to help with the costs of our adopt. If you are familiar with adoption then you know this is a very expensive process. Please pray if that is something you might consider.

You can stay up to date by checking our Facebook, this blog, or signing up to receive our newsletter (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Wve5S_XDNxCbbJfab64tgD30DzruB4UjWfAGr89jkUk/edit?usp=sharing). We are waiting with anticipating for the day to bring our child home, and are excited to share this journey with you.

For His Glory Alone.

Jared and Kandace