IN EXCHANGE FOR A LIFE

Friends & Family,

As many of you know, we are in the process of adopting a little boy from Ch*na. God put a mission in our hearts last summer to rescue a beautiful baby boy (soon to be named Maddox James Richard).  Maddox is considered "special needs" and has a hole in his heart, as well as other minor medical needs so we are working feverishly to get him home to us as quickly as possible.

While many view adoption as a choice for those who struggle with infertility, it is so much more than that; it is God's heart.  The Bible tells us in James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans & widows in their distress." There are several other scriptures that show us God's heart towards orphans & adoption:

John 14:18 (AMP)--I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]...
Romans 8:15 (KJV)--For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Matthew 18:5 (AMP)-And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me.
Psalms 68:5 (CEB)-Father of orphans and defender of widows is God in his holy habitation.

Our God is a "father to the fatherless..." and He is calling us to walk in His footsteps.

By walking in the footsteps of our Heavenly Father, we have taken a great leap of faith, as international adoption is VERY expensive.  We have had several fundraisers, paid out of our own pocket (of course), and had very gracious people donate to us early on in the process.  Well, now we are nearing the final stage of this adoption (PRAISE GOD)! And as it would be, it is the most expensive stage in the process.  This is the stage where we will eventually travel to get our little one. Listed below are the estimates of the fees we are facing in this final stage:

3rd Installment of Program Fee

$2,000

Referral Translation Fee 

$400

International Program Fee (1 child) 

$7,700

Post Adoption Administrative Fee

$750

Airfare (2 adults; prices will vary by season and location)

$1,800 - $4,000

Airfare
(1 child; prices will vary by season, location and ticket - ie: lap pass or child seat)

$250 - $1,000

Visas (2 adults)

$380

In-Country Travel Package (2 adults) 

$4,000 - $6,000

The cost may be great in the eyes of man; however when compared to our abundant Lord and the bountifulness of His Kingdom, it is minuscule. How exciting to be part of such a miracle, such an opportunity to demonstrate the faithfulness of God. Many pursue the pleasures of this life and the material things of this world, but we've chosen to relentlessly pursue God for the life of this precious little boy; whom we've already made our son in our hearts.

God has put it on our hearts to reach out to family & friends so that others can share in this opportunity to be a blessing.  2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings."  We want to extend this opportunity for our family & friends to be blessed & ask you to seek the Lord if He would have you to be a part of this. We recognize through scripture that God uses people (Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:8-13, Philippians 4:14-19).  In prayer & conversation, we realized that if just 200 PEOPLE GAVE $100, we would be able to fund the majority of the rest of this adoption!  Can you imagine!?  That is a small sacrifice to save the life of a little boy, who would have little to no quality of life if left as a "special needs" orphan in Ch*na.  If you want to be a part of this miracle, PLEASE REPOST THIS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE & IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF THE 200 TO DONATE $100, simply go to the right side of this blog & you'll see a paypal donation button...You can give there...If you would prefer to send a donation via regular mail, email or message me for our physical address.  We will keep each of you posted/updated on Maddox's status until that glorious day when he arrives home!

 We have taken the limits off of God & have made a choice to walk & live by faith; and we are SO grateful that God has placed this mission to adopt little Maddox on our hearts.  We are in the process of constructing a testimony that speaks of a God that makes impossibilities possible!

We love & appreciate you & ask you to prayerfully consider if you should be a part of this tremendous miracle.

With most sincere gratitude,

Scotty & Brooke Richard