Main fundraiser photo

Bring Max and Ben Home!

                           Bringing Max and Ben Home!

In early 2015, Jamie and Jared saw a picture of two sweet boys who were longing for a family to call their own that stopped them in their tracks. A set of brothers, Max (age 7) and Ben (age 9), who live in an orphanage in another country, had been in the process to be adopted previously, and that adoption fell through, unfortunately. When Jamie and Jared heard that the boys lost their other family and were waiting for a family that was never coming back, it broke their hearts. Even though they had adopted three other children in recent years, they couldn’t stand the thought of these two boys waiting forever alone. Max and Ben have Saethre Chotzen disease, a disorder that if they were born here in the United States could have been alleviated surgically. However, due to insufficient medical care, they're now left with long-term disabilities and facing many corrective surgeries when they get home. They’re eager to bring these boys home—hopefully, in the fall of 2015! In just three years, Jamie and Jared will have internationally adopted five children.

                                              How it all Began

Jared and Jamie met in high school and it was love at first sight. They married in 2003 and were living their “happily ever after” with their three biological children (Thomas, Gwen and Luci). In 2011 when their children were ages 5, 3 and 1, they began thinking about adoption. As they learned more about international adoption and what it entailed, they felt as though they could make a difference. And then they saw the picture of a sweet little boy, Eli, who happened to have Down syndrome.

Thus, the international adoption journey to bring Eli home began in 2012. Their hearts were forever changed when they saw the other children who had to be left behind and so desperately wanted a mommy and daddy too. Most of these children live in orphanages with very few caregivers, limited food and toys and not enough affection. This is the sad reality of how children with disabilities are treated in many other countries. Most are placed in adult institutions where their treatment would constitute severe neglect under United States’ standards. Many die very young from starvation, neglect and insufficient medical care.

Once Eli was home and settled in 2012, they committed to bringing home two more children who also happened to have Down syndrome. The girls, Lanie (age 3) and Jojo (age 7) came home in February 2014! Both girls had suffered serious neglect. Jojo was very undersized for her age and neither child could stand or walk. They were told the girls would never walk. However, the girls are making progress and they have hope they will walk one day! Lanie had open heart surgery in the spring of 2015. Their house is filled with love, laughter and happiness, and children who have come such a long way in such a brief period of time.

People ask them why they’re bringing home children who have a disability. Why aren't they happy with just their "typical children?" The answer is simple. They believe that every child matters. Every child has worth and inestimable value. Every child on the planet is worthy of a family who loves and adores him or her. Every child is wonderfully made—just the way he or she is. They believe that these children deserve them, and more importantly, they deserve these children!

International adoption is a complex and lengthy process that includes home studies, physicals, fingerprinting, background checks, endless paperwork and governmental processes including a visit to the country (prior to adoption) where the child lives. Adoption is a lovely thing, bringing families to children who need them and children to families who need them! However, it is very expensive with each adoption costing about $35,000. While they have raised a large part of the money needed to bring Max and Ben home, funds are still needed. In addition, they are in need of a handicapped accessible van that can hold their eight children and safely transport them.

No donation is too small.Your kindness and generosity will be greatly appreciated!

You can read more about Jamie and Jared’s international adoptions and children on their blog and facebook page.

Organizer and beneficiary

Barb Wehmann
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
Jamie Lentz
Beneficiary

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