Zdraveĭte i blagodarya… which means “Hello and thank you” in Bulgarian! Thank you for taking time out of your life to hear how God is working in our family’s lives and how we hope to honor Him as we are blessed to be a small part of His story.
We are Carrie and Steven Rhodes, Delana (Carrie’s mother), and Vincent our German Shepherd dog, and our family is in the process of adopting internationally. The theme of adoption has resonated with us throughout our lives. As we have matured in our faith, we have been profoundly impacted by the great love our Heavenly Father has for us as God adopts His children through Jesus Christ into His family! God has a heart for adoption, and the Bible is filled with supporting scripture. One of our favorite passages Galatians 4:4-7 says “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Wow, what intimate love God has for us to provide for us, create a home for us, and give us an identity that is so personal in relationship with Him that we can call Him “daddy.” The Holy Spirit has overwhelmed us with that love to the point we want to share that love with the lost, lonely, and the orphaned. He lit that fire ablaze in the summer of 2022, and after much prayer, discussion, research, and more prayer we officially began our journey trying to adopt from Bulgaria in December 2022.
Thus far, our pathway through international adoption has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and anything but easy. After months of completing paperwork for 2 countries’ governments, home study obligations, educational requirements, and all the waiting that occurs every step of the way, our dossier is in the final stages of being registered in Bulgaria and then we wait to be considered for a match. The wait for Bulgaria could be a few months to a few years. We also are open to and prayerfully considering “waiting children,” that Bulgaria hasn’t been able to match to a family. We don’t know when we are going to get matched or who we are going to get matched with, but that’s okay because God knows, and we have faith He is orchestrating everything for the best in His timing. Still, we have to be ready as that call could come any day.
The biggest way that we would love for you to come alongside side of us through this journey is through prayer. Specifically, please pray that God’s will be done and that He get the glory every step of the way. Also, please pray that the Holy Spirit will provide our family with the strength and patience to endure waiting to get matched as well as the courage to step out in faith in the unknowns that lie ahead. Most of all, please pray for our child/children that is waiting to get matched with us and their biological families-that God’s love and hedge of protection will surround them and they will ultimately come to accept the salvation and new life that Jesus Christ provides.
There is absolutely no pressure, but for those of you who feel called to help financially that is possible too. To adopt 1 child from Bulgaria is about $40,000 and each sibling is an additional estimated $18, 325. We are interested in a sibling set, so it is quite possible we could be adopting multiple children. These costs do not include travel expenses, and there are 2 trips to Bulgaria that are required for the adoption process. These are big expenses for us but not for our God! Through savings He has blessed us with, grants, and loved ones who generously feel called to bless us in this way, we know He will provide.
The old saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child,” which is so true. These are God’s children that He entrusts to us, and we do need the prayers, love, and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ as we strive to share the love of Jesus Christ with them and provide them a loving family. We can’t do it alone, so thank you for being a part of our story and on a grander scale a part of the amazing work God is doing. James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” To be clear, we are only saved through Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice, not by works; however, those who claim the beautiful title “child of God” are called to do good works out of love and obedience they have for the Father. Thank you for taking time to read our story, pray for us, and partner alongside us. Obichame te i Bog da te blagoslovi…“We love you and God bless” in Bulgarian!
Good day loved ones, and we hope you are all doing well and having a blessed season of life with the Lord. Though many of you have been following alongside our adoption journey on a personal level, we wanted to take a few moments to give an update on a more global level. We also want to thank you again for praying for our family and taking the time to listen, support, and encourage us.
Since posting our last update, our adoption journey has been wrought with much pain and frustration. Between our adoption agency unexpectantly changing policies that are life-altering and unforseen changes in Bulgaria's government amongst other things, we've often felt discouraged, beaten down, and forgotten about by most people. Still, we know that our triune God has not forgotten us and we trust in Romans 8:28 that He is working all things for our good as we love God and are called according to His purposes. Though we've had many days where we've asked God "do you want us to stay on this adoption journey" and have endured much sadness and emotional turmoil, we believe He is still present in this and calling us to continue on this path. Through prayer and doing all the continued work asked of us (annually renewing government paperwork, 52 hours of adoption-related education, etc.), we are giving God our best and trying to honor Him as we wait on His timing and giving Him room to move. Our resolve has been strengthened that no matter what, Jesus is sufficient.
At this point, we have recently submitted all the annual paperwork that both our government and Bulgaria's government needs to stay registered and active. We have expanded our parameters even more than prior and are open to children of many ages, many medical conditions, and a sibling set. As we wait for a traditional match we still prayerfully consider waiting children as well.
Again, we appreciate your continued expression of love, support, and encouragement and most of all your prayers. The call to adopt is an extremely challenging journey for families, and those called to it need God's people rallying around them and bathing them in prayer. Through Jesus, we still have joy, hope, and blessings that the Holy Spirit reminds of us daily. Thank you for being a part of our lives and support system as well!
Hello loved ones! We just wanted to share our good news that as of September 12, 2023 we are approved and registered in Bulgaria for international adoption! This means we are eligible for a traditional match, and we are also still prayerfully considering waiting children as well. We praise Jesus for this news as we are just one step closer to getting matched with our child/children. We trust in God's timing and are excited to see how God will continue to work!
