The following are excerpts from an aritcle by Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org) You can read the full article here~ http://www.crown.org/LIBRARY/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=276 . If
you've ever felt a tug in your heart about adoption, but didn't think
you could afford it, read this article and pray. If that tug is from
God, He will provide a way in every area of question.
"Adoption
offers a chance at a new beginning for many children cared for by state
and private agencies and international orphan situations. Families
constitute the building blocks of God's Kingdom. A strong family unit
provides an orphan with the love and security that is needed to ensure
that they grow into healthy adults and a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ. James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as
pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their
distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (NIV).
Adoption is part of the Great Commission, and we see that God's heart
of compassion for the fatherless is clearly expressed throughout
Scripture. We see adoption by believers as "missions in reverse" because
adoption provides an opportunity to reach across the globe and bring
children into homes where Jesus is present and God's Word is central.
The decision to adopt
Because the adoption of children needs to be planned, within reason, a
decision to adopt must be made with prayer and the counsel of mature and
trusted Christians..........
..........Depending on the circumstances, the cost of adoption can range between nothing to $30,000.
.......Many options exist to help families bridge the gap between
their budgets and the costs for adoption. The US government provides a
federal tax credit per child adopted in a tax year (which for tax year
2007, was a maximum of $11,390 - see
www.irs.ustreas.gov)
and some states offer up to $10,000 tax credits (Georgia's was $10,160
for 2006). Many corporations offer adoption assistance programs (
www.adopting.org), and the US military offers a non-recurring subsidy for military personnel (
www.militaryadoption.com).
(Letitia's note: the tax credit mentioned here, is not a deduction,
but an actual credit. If you owe $500 on your taxes this year, the
credit will wipe that out. It then carries over year after year until
you have used the entire amount. The article goes on here to list
several grants and options to fund an adoption. )
........If you are seeking the Lord's will for your life and in the
life of an orphan who needs a home, and are obedient to His call, He
will provide a way for you to finance it without having to jeopardize
your future. Matthew 6:31-33 says,
"So do not worry, saying, 'What
shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For
the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well" (NIV). In Philippians 4:19 we read,
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
........The financial barriers to adoption can seem overwhelming, but
fortunately, we do not have to look at the outward appearance of
things; we can look to the One who controls all the circumstances of our
lives.
If a couple feels strongly that God is directing them to adopt and/or
to reach out to an orphan, they should begin to save and to prepare for
the expenses, and to prayerfully make their needs known to their
church, family, and friends. If God is truly leading a couple to adopt,
He will be faithful to provide for all of the financial needs. "
Go here to read more specifics on funding adoptions.
http://www.crown.org/LIBRARY/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=276
I will remind you here, that if you adopt from the foster care
system, there is no or little expense. I read one of my friends here
say that their adoption cost $40!! If God is leading you to adopt,
whether domestically, foster, or international, don't let fears or
questions stop you from doing what He is calling you to. (When we
adopted Marissa, we had no clue what we were doing, and didn't know
anyone who had adopted IRL or online.) Pray. Ask for confirmation that
your desire is from Him. Be open. Ask questions~there is a long list
of my "Adoption Friends" in my sidebar, and millions of others to talk
to and ask questions. And, of course, you can ask me! : ) God ALWAYS
provides a way for His work. Millions of children await someone to love
them, teach them, and share God's love with them. Ask God if you're
one of them.
Letitia
,and
I watched God roll the clouds away~quite literally. The line headed
across Tennessee broke in the middle of the state (north to south). The
rain to the south moved directly east, while the rain in line with us
and to the north moved northeast. It did not rain the first drop at my
house the entire day!!! In fact, we got a little bit sunburned! 
