Adoption Costs

I've been hearing a few comments lately about the cost of adoption and even someone (who I love very much and know she was just kidding) sarcasticly saying that we are "buying a baby". Though I agree with everyone that its sad that it costs so much, at the same time I kind of understand. We aren't paying someone to get a child for us and bring them here, we are paying for medical checks, home studies, government forms, etc. Also, if you really think about it we would be paying A LOT for a biological child too! From the prenatal care, to the birth (c-section with a $5k deductable!), to medical checkups and of course the cost it takes to care for a newborn for the first few months of life. If you put it in perspective, $30k isn't that bad! To give you an idea of where the money is going, here is a price breakdown that I took from our adoption agency awaa.org.

APPLICATION & DOSSIER BUILDING
Application Fee - $250
1st Installment of Program Fee - $1,500
Home Study (varies by state) - $1,200 - $2,500
Additional Home Study Documentation Prep. Fee (varies by process) - $0 - $100
Home Study Visit Travel Fees(could include mileage, etc. based on current federal mileage rates) - $0 - $200
Adoptive Parent Training (2 adults) - $175
Documents/Background Checks/Passports(varies by state and number of states previously lived in) - $100 - $500
USCIS Fee & Update Fee + Fingerprinting - $890 (this could be a little less if Chris' USAF fingerprints qualify)
Notarization, Certification & Authentication - $400

SUBTOTAL: $4,515 - $6,515

DOSSIER SUBMISSION & WAITING
Courier Service - $150
2nd Installment of Program Fee - $2,000
Post Adoption Report Deposit(fully refundable if all post-adoption reports are returned on time - YAY!) - $1,000
Dossier Service & Translation - $800
1/2 International Program Fee (1 child) *** - $3,750

*** Includes the following:

America World Development Project program fee
Child's medical exam(s)
Orphanage donation
Transitional child-rearing fee

SUBTOTAL: $7,700

REFERRAL & TRAVEL
International Specialist Consultation (varies by specialist) - $100 - $400
3rd Installment of Program Fee - $1,500
Post Adoption Administrative Fee - $385
1/2 International Program Fee (1 child) *** - $3,750
Trip 1 - Airfare (2 adults; prices will vary by season and location) - $2,400 - $4,000
Trip 1 - In-Country Travel Package (2 adults) **** - $1,400 - $2,500
Trip 1 - Visas (2 adults) - $40
Trip 2 - Airfare (2 adults; prices will vary by season and location) - $2,400 - $4,000
Trip 2 - Airfare(1 child; prices will vary by season, location and ticket - ie: lap pass or child seat) - $250 - $1,000
Trip 2 - In-Country Travel Package (2 adults) **** - $1,000 - $2,000
Trip 2 - Visas (2 adults) - $40
Visa/Embassy Fee (1 child) - $404

**** Includes the following:

Travel Coordination and Processing
Housing accomodations
Some Meals
Tour guides/Translators
In-country transportation
Gratuity to Ethiopian staff and guides

SUBTOTAL: $13,669 - $20,019

POST ADOPTION
Post Adoption Visits varies by state) - $600 - $1,200
Post Adoption Visit Travel Fees(varies by state and location from social worker) - $0 - $300
Post Adoption Report Refund(refunded in installments as, and only if, each report is returned on time) - ($1,000)
Other Costs(include doctor visit and related co-pays, social security card, passport cost, postage, long distance phone calls) - $100 - $1,000

SUBTOTAL: $(300) - $1,500

TOTAL $25,584 - $35,734

We are happy to say that we should have enough to apply next week and the amount to accept should we get approved by July (the first 2 fees). I know some (understandably) wonder why we don't have more saved up if we knew we were going to adopt and to that I say, well, financially we didn't obey. Instead of saving up, we threw our money into paying off debt. This isn't a bad thing and will help us in the long run but right now it leaves our adoption fund thin. But I truly believe that this is what God wants us to do and I believe that He will help us. Last week I was reminded of this passage from Crazy Love:

‎"God calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through." - Francis Chan "Crazy Love"

Yeah you could pretty much say that we are in trouble if God doesn't come through! Thankfully I believe that God will come through! Now if only I could be "unafraid"! I'm working on it and thanks to my gracious God, my loving supportive husband who are both my rocks and my strengths and our awesome support system, I am getting there.

Last night I was getting really anxious about all the costs and thinking "there is no way we can afford this!" when I suddenly remembered our Adoption Fund Coin Jar. For about a year Chris has been collecting change from his pockets. I didn't even notice that he was doing this until a few months ago I saw a coffee mug sitting on the countertop filled halfway with coins. A few weeks ago I noticed that it was full and decided to start our Adoption Fund Coin Jar and poured the coins in that and forgot about it. Last night I decided to count it...

I counted $38.50!! I know it seems small but to me it was huge! It was God's way of telling me that we will find the money in ways well can't even think of! This makes a grand total of $101.50 from fundraising so far! Praise God!

- Abbey

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." ~ Proverbs 24:12