Matt & Anna Ward

Updates

• Update 13

  Flights are booked!!

  February 15, 2025

  We have our flights booked! ✈️

  February 24th- leave for the airport after dropping the boys off at school!
  February 25th- arrive in Delhi and stay the night in the airport (to just avoid lots of back and forth).
  February 26th- fly to Madhya Pradesh, our daughter’s state.
  February 27th- pick up Divya from her orphanage!!!
  February 28th- fly back to Delhi for various appointments over the next several days.
  March 6th- leave Delhi to fly home
  March 7th- HOME as a family of 5! ❤️🎉

  Everything is coming together just as God ordained. Please pray specifically for the following:

  - for Matt and me to get plenty of rest as we travel.
  - for God to prepare our hearts and minds for what we will experience in India.
  - for Jonah and Silas as we are gone for just under 2 weeks.
  - for Divya, as she prepares to leave everything she has ever known.
  - for Divya, as she takes multiple plane rides for the first time, and experiences all new things!
  - for Divya, that God will redeem all the brokenness that has brought her to us.
  - for Matt and me, as we learn how to parent Divya.
  - for all of us as we transition into our new life as a family or 5.
  - for all the unknowns!!
  - for God’s glory to be evident to EVERYONE we meet and engage with, including the orphanage caregivers, our drivers, the hotel staff, those we encounter on the streets, etc. May His name be made great!

  https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/anna-ward-february-2025-thomasville/1EHI9I51D3FGA

• Update 12

  When you’re expecting, but not expecting…

  February 9, 2025

  An excerpt from my journal this afternoon:

  My sweet Divya Naomi,

  I have been praying for you for over 20 years. When God laid the desire for adoption in my heart, I began praying. He has been faithful every step of the way. Preparing me, preparing our family, for you. As we’ve gotten closer and closer- completed one more document, got one more notary, one more doctor’s appointment, one more questionnaire, one more approval- it has become more and more real. And yet still surreal. You are almost in our arms, but not yet. You are here, just not here… words really cannot describe this feeling. The Lord has been teaching me and growing me and preparing me through this. In the 20 year long wait, the 2 year long “pregnancy,” He is teaching me to praise Him! Just like David did while he waited (15 years) to sit on his throne, we praise God during the “not yet.”

  We are hopeful that we will get travel dates tomorrow. We cannot wait to bring you home sweet daughter. I may not carry you in my body, but I do carry you in my heart.

• Update 11

  

  Getting ready for travel!

  January 3, 2025

  It’s been a hot minute since I shared an update about our adoption here (and not just Facebook)!

  On December 26th, we received our adoption order from India! This means that the District Magistrate (aka judge) in India recognizes Divya as our daughter! It was formally signed on December 24th…the sweetest Christmas present we could have asked for. At this point, the only thing keeping us from jumping on a plane right now is that Divya needs a passport. Her orphanage is working on getting this for us. We assume this process has already started and it generally takes approximately a month to get the passport issued. As soon as the orphanage has her passport, we will book our flights!

  In the meantime, we are packing and preparing to pick Divya up! We have to get some medication from our doctors for travel (for us and for Divya) and Matt and I will have to get a few vaccinations before travel. We will likely have some copays associated with these 2 things, as several recommended vaccines are not typically covered by insurance. We are working to add Divya to our health insurance and plan our time out of work when we bring her home

  Please be praying for the following:

  - that Divya’s passport will arrive to the orphanage soon!
  - that the Lord will prepare Divya for leaving the orphanage and that the transition will be smooth.
  - that the Lord will prepare our family for this huge transition!
  - that our packing will be sufficient and everything will come together perfectly with travel.
  - for safe travels.
  - opportunities for Matt and me to share the gospel while in India!
  - for insurance and time off details to work out.

  Thank you for your partnership and support of us!

• Update 10

  

  Court Hearing - 12.17.24

  December 16, 2024

  Matt and I just got word that there is a court hearing scheduled tomorrow (2:00 pm India’s time = 3:30 AM our time!). We aren’t really sure if we have to be “present” (via video call), so we will be prepared to jump on the video call if needed. Be praying for the District Magistrate (aka judge) and everyone involved in this process. Generally speaking, this hearing will likely result in the Adoption Order being granted!

  Once we get the Adoption Order, we will request our daughter’s passport and plan travel! We are anxious to go pick up our sweet “D,” and we trusting in God’s perfect timing! We covet your prayers through this time. If you happen to be a person with insomnia, or wake up randomly in the middle of the night, please pray for us, sweet “D,” and the District Magistrate.

  We love you all!

• Update 9

  

  NOC Approval, Video Call, and Grant Approval

  October 17, 2024

  We have several exciting updates to share! Not too long ago, we received our No Objection Certificate from India that essentially means India’s adoption agency has given us their final stamp of approval to adopt “D.” We are in the very final stage of our adoption- now all we need is our “Adoption Order” (an approval from a judge in India)! Once we get this, we plan our travel!!

  This morning, we were able to have a video call with our sweet girl. It was so fun to “meet” her and see her precious face. (See the pictures, but please ignore how rough WE look..it was 5:50 am!)

  Lastly, we are so pleased to announce that we were recently awarded a grant through Gift of Adoption for $3,500. What a blessing and gift!! We are lowering our adoption fundraising goal by this much since there is no way to add the gift to our total amount. Thank you, Gift of Adoption!

  We can’t wait to update again soon with news of travel! Please pray for God’s timing. Ideally, we would be able to bring her home before needing an updated home study (which means MORE paperwork to complete). 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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