Alyssa and Brandon Bertram

In the summer of 2025, we welcomed a teenage boy into our home through a hosting program with Project 143. Hosting was meant to be temporary, but from the very first day something in our hearts felt different.

S brought so much joy and laughter into our home. Literally every day we were belly laughing at one point or another! He bonded instantly with our kids and fit into the family so seamlessly. When it came time to say goodbye at the end of the summer the emotions were so heavy because were saying goodbye to someone who felt like our son….

And the truth is, our hearts already knew: he is meant to be part of our forever family.

What makes this story even more meaningful is that we actually met S in a fleeting moment years ago while we were in-country adopting our daughter. It was a brief passing interaction, but he has left us wondering what happened to him during that time. We never could have imagined that years later, he would walk through our front door. Looking back, it feels like God was gently writing a story we couldn’t yet see.

Our journey to this point hasn’t been without heartache. We stepped out in faith to adopt our daughter’s biological brother in 2024 before he aged out of the system, only to be met with the unexpected. While completing our home study we learned that he was no longer able to be adopted. The pain was real and deep, especially for our daughter. We are grateful to know he is doing well and being cared for which is the best outcome we could hope for now.

So here we are, saying yes again.

We have officially begun the adoption process to bring S back here where he belongs.

Along with hope and excitement, there is also the very real financial commitment that comes with international adoption which is something we understand firsthand from bringing Aleja home.

The funds raised will go directly toward: 1. Adoption agency fees 2. Immigration and USCIS fees 3. In-country legal and processing fees 4. Travel expenses (flights, lodging, transportation) to bring S home

Each step brings both progress and cost, and all of it is necessary to make his adoption a reality.

Recently, we took a leap of faith and started a small business to better provide for our family long-term. We are proud of that step, but building something new takes time, and right now it means our finances are stretched thin as we grow. We are doing everything we can on our end — saving, working, planning — but we cannot do this alone.

So we come to you humbly.

If you feel led to give, please know that every single donation no matter the amount moves us closer to the day S no longer has to wait. Closer to the day he steps off a plane not as a visitor, but as our son. Closer to the day he is finally home for good.

If giving isn’t possible, your prayers, encouragement, and sharing our story mean just as much. We truly believe it takes a community to bring a child home.

From the bottom of our hearts thank you for walking this journey with us. - Brandon and Alyssa