One of the reasons we didn't consider an international adoption from the get-go was the drastic increase in costs. As a cash-only household, we have been relying on a family loan to fund an adoption, and therefore we pursued a domestic adoption, which generally occur with much lower costs. That was, of course, until we heard about Alissa.
It's hard to describe to someone who may not have ever experienced this process, but we are absolutely convinced that this little girl is for us, and we are for her. Now we need to bring her home.
We were not anticipating a cost this large. Then again, we were not anticipating to have our hearts stolen! We feel that we are very much behind-the-ball, as we now need to work as quickly as we can to secure the funds to adopt her. Here is our financial picture as it looks today:
FEES:
Placing agency ................................ $33,000
Travel Expenses .............................. $10,150+
- Airfare: approx. $7000 ($1,000/person per trip, need 3 trips; plus $1,000 for Alissa's flight home)
- Accommodations: approx. $2,100 (staying in hostels with free breakfast)
1st trip) 5-7 days, stay in hostel 6 nights = $600
2nd trip) 5 days, stay in hostel 4 nights = $400
3rd trip) 10-11 days, stay in hostel 10 nights = $1,000
- Food: $1,150 (planning $25/person per day)
Post Placement Visits ...................... $800
Total Fees: $43,950
DISCOUNTS & LOANS:
Placing agency possible discount ..... $3,000
Placing agency possible loan ............ $7,500 (@ 3%/ 5 years)
Total Fees minus possible discounts and loans: $33,450
CASH ON HAND:
Family loan account .................... approx. $15,000 (this is a family loan we will need to repay)
BALANCE REMAINING: $18,450
We also learned this week that Stan will have to be away from work, unpaid, for our three trips to Russia. He does not earn vacation until March, and Paternity leave will be unpaid leave. This adds an additional expense of approximately $1,500.
OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL: $20,000
We have applied for a few grants, and we pray daily that God would provide in that way. However, we also realize that there is no guarantee that we'll be awarded those grants, as there are many people applying for those same funds.
If you feel called to help us bring our dream home from Russia, in any way, we will never be able to thank you enough. You can donate by simply clicking the "Help Bring Alissa Home!" button on the right side of every page of this blog. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for helping us bring our little girl home.
We also appreciate any and every gift of prayer and positivity sent on our behalf. Our arms ache to hold our little girl on the other side of the world. We literally wait with baited breath as this situation unfolds. We have treasured and hold close every kind and caring word that you have said to us, and hope that, soon, we will be celebrating a long-awaited welcome home!
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