We wish we could share this news with each of you face to face. Some of you have heard and others might be surprised. Along with preparation for our new ministry, The 1:27 Call, we have also been in a time of preparation to expand our family. In all reality the two go very much hand in hand. Adoption is something we talked about even before we were married. We also talked about how many children we thought we might want. Rusty said 5 and I said 6. After Andrew we thought we might be done and much of that decision was based on an early arrival of Aubrey and lots of bed rest with the boys. As we began educating ourselves on the crisis of 140+ million orphans in the world we decided that we have enough love and space to welcome 2 more children into our home to call our own. We have chosen to pursue an adoption from Rwanda. Our hearts were definitely pulled toward Africa. After visiting with our cousins, The Peter Greer Family, who adopted from Rwanda we began to research Rwanda and what went on during the Genocide of 1994. Our hearts broke and needless to say we also quickly fell in love with Myles, the newest member of their family. Our adoption will be done independently with assistance from Mugisha Ministries. Many have asked what an independent adoption costs so we will try and roughly break that down for you:
- Mugisha Ministries- $2500
- Lawyer in Rwanda- $1800
- Home Study- $2100
- USCIS- $1340
- Medical exams for our family- $700
- Biometrics- $160
- Citizenship Application- $840
- Fully Authenticating Documents- $700
- Visas- $800
- Currier service and shipping- $300
- Airfare- $5000
- Hotel- $800
- Food- $500
- Transportation- $350
- Passports- $250
- Travel clinic, shots, malaria pills- ?
So our rough estimate puts the adoption of 2 children at $18,140 and that cost is honestly more than we thought it would be. We have also been asked how we are going to pay for this and the answer is simply that we believe that the Lord will provide. We may do a fundraiser, a yard sale, sell go-carts and other creative means of getting the funds. We have been reminded that the Lord’s treasury is full and we know we have been called to adoption and we are entering this with full assurance that it will come to fruition. We would love for you all to pray. We are requesting that the first child be in the age range of infant to 2 years and the second child be 2 to 4 years. We would like a boy and a girl, siblings would be great but they do not have to be. This process will take the better part of a year or more. We do not have our dossier yet, we have to send in some signed papers and our first check before we get the paper work. We have chosen Adoption Assistance to do our home study. This is all very new to us but we are excited about this journey. We are open to questions and comments of every kind! We will update our progress on this blog.
Much love and thanks!
Rusty, Elizabeth, Aubrey, Carter and Andrew
6 comments:
Congratulations!! What an exciting time, we are excited as you all begin this journey. Praying for all the details, seen and unseen. Look forward to following your story. Blessings, Joe and Miranda
Hey Liz,
We are so excited for you. I know you will be such a blessing in your new ministry and with this adoption. We are praying for you all the way through. We know that God has already ordained your new son and daughter and that there is not any other people on the planet who are better suited to raise them. I can't think of anyone who would be better fit to be their parents. Congratulations on the beginning of this amazing journey. Love you!
We are so proud and blessed to call you our brother and sister. The spiritual growth the two of you have had over your marriage has been absolutely amazing to watch. You are an amazing example of God's transforming power and the difference God can make in the world through someone who is willing to be used! You will both be incredible parents to these two little kids and we can't wait to welcome them into the Rutledge family!!!! Thank you for being examples of Christ's love and heartache for orphans!
Rutledge Clan,
We couldn't be more excited about your journey. We are praying mightly for your journey and for your two children in Rwanda. We will walk beside you every step of this journey (and walk behind you and push you went you need it!).
We are so thankful God put you in our lives to celebrate this season we you!
-ML and Nick
so so so exciting! We are praying for you!
I am humbled by your obedience.....thank you for allowing me to participate via your blog. This is just amazing, and just like God to bless you already because you listened and obeyed! I am confident He has already chosen the perfect children for you, according to His will - Hallelujah! Janie Morris (Sam's NaNa)
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