Our Story
My husband Josh and I have always had a heart for adoption. Even from a young age, high school even, I can remember my heart breaking for the orphans around the world, for those facing injustices that were never meant for them, especially children. Life can just be completely cruel at times. However, I am a firm believer in hope. I believe that we each have a story to tell and a part to play in bringing joy and hope to the world, by the grace of our Heavenly Father.
In July of 2016 we moved from Kansas to NW Indiana. We moved to farmland and started living the country life. It was here that our hearts began being pulled once more into adoption. I began to have dreams, and quite honestly could not get the thought off my mind. So, after a lot of prayer, and about a year of research we are stepping into adoption. We aren't quite sure what all it will look like. We aren't sure the details, but we know the call.
Why Burundi?
Burundi is a small African country located just southeast of Rwanda. If you know us, than you know we love Rwanda. We have traveled there before, myself twice, and we just have a special compassion for these people. There is a genuine spirit about them and yet, we also have seen firsthand some of the reality of hardships that exist. Rwanda is not open to international adoption, however we actually know some boys who grew up in Burundi and now live in Rwanda. It was extremely important for us, if we were to adopt internationally as we felt called, to also somewhat know and understand the culture from where we are adopting. We know that we will never fully understand, but it is important for us to understand what we can so that we might be able to pass it along to our future child/ren. We want them to understand their heritage and value it. So, with that we ended up choosing Burundi. It is unfortunately one of the poorest countries in Africa due to its large farming community and reliance on the weather to determine living means. There are many in need, and we are simply stepping forth to be willing. We do want to add that we believe first in family reconciliation when living parents exist. If this is just not possible, than we advocate for trying to get the children adopted by other family, or those within the community in order to keep the children within their cultural norm. However, when last resorts are needed, we do believe in international adoption, and that is where we believe we might become part of the picture?
How to Help?
There are several ways that you can be a part of our adoption process. The first is to pray. Goodness we would so appreciate any and all prayers. We are stepping out in faith, answering a call we believe has been placed on our lives, but we also have some major needs. So, we would love any and all prayers over our family; prayers that we would be able to raise all the funds we need, prayers over Shiloh and Thomas (our two biological children) that they would feel loved and well cared for through this transition time, and that their hearts would be protected through it all, prayer for Josh and I to remain rooted in the gospel and the truths of the word as we are bound to face many trials along the way, and prayers over our future child/ren. Prayer that they would be protected from any more hurt or trauma, prayer that their hearts might be filled with comfort and peace, and prayer that they might be open to the love we hope to provide them with.
Secondly, we are going to be looking to raise $50-60,000 during this estimated 2 year process. (*There is a specific financial breakdown listed below*) If you would like to simply donate you can do so through the options below:
Venmo: @Laura-Duggleby
Paypal: LDugglebyPhoto@gmail.com
*Please simply indicate adoption donation with payment and funds will be directly transferred to adoption account.
Another Option!
The Advocate Hope shop is a space created as we fundraise for our families’ adoption through Burundi. We have gear from t-shirts to sweatshirts to masks and coffee mugs that we hope will inspire you as well as give you hope in your current journey. 100% of all profits from these sales go directly towards adoption expenses.
If you would rather donate in this way, by receiving something in return, we hope you love what we have created here!
Financial Breakdown
We are looking to raise $50-60,000 over the next three years. Here are specific numbers for those interested:
Estimated Cost to Adopt From Burundi (as supplied through our adoption agency: Children of All Nations):
Homestudy: $1,937.98- PAID!
Children of All Nations Application Fee: $250- PAID!
Agency Professional Fees: $6376- PAID!
USCIS Filing: $775- PAID!
Fingerprinting: $85/ Adult = $170- PAID!
Adoption Training: $250- PAID!
Dossier Paperwork: $800- PAID!
Foreign Adoption Program Fee: $3,000
In-Country Adoption Fee: $11,000- PAID!
Travel- International Flights-Coach- Per Person: $2000 = $10,000
Intra- Country Travel- Per Adult- Includes: accommodations, travel and meals: $900-1000 = $4000 (for all 4 of us included)
Travel- Adoptive Child Travel Flight to US- Per child: $2,000
Adoptive child visa- Per Child: $325 = 650
Adoptive Child Medical Exam- Per Child: $90 = 180
Ministry Fee- Per Placement: $3,500 - PAID!
Post Adoption Reports, 2 Reports Required: $600- PAID!
Total Adoption Expenses for child: Approx. $45,000
Additional Expenses: We will need to upgrade our vehicle to a minivan. We will then most likely need carseats and such for our children as well. We are trying to raise an additional $10,000 for these expenses.
Bringing the grand Goal Total to: $55,000.
Thank you so much for praying for God to show up in big and radical ways for us in this department so that we might be able to influence more for His Kingdom. This is quite a big step for us, but we can't wait to show off just how great and BIG our God is!
How Much Have We Raised?! Here are our Totals so Far.
July 2017 Garage Sale- $201.
Oct. 2017- Cookies for Josh- $2,025
Running for Hope Fundraiser- $367
Tea Party Event- $1400
Separate Donations- $6,025
The Advocate Hope Shop-$2,752.85
Show Hope Grant- $10,000
Bonfire Gear- $2,000
TOTAL TO DATE: $24,770.85 of $55,000 goal!
THANK YOU!!