Raymond adoption fundraiser - Burundi

Joy awaits! A little boy and a little girl, a brother and sister in the African country of Burundi now have a family. They don’t know about us, yet, but we know about them!

Burundi is located in east central Africa, just west of Tanzania and south of Rwanda. We lived in Rwanda and Uganda for a combined 5 years, so this part of the world is very familiar to us. By the mercy of God, and through the diligent efforts of the central authority in Burundi as well as the kind people at Wide Horizons for Children, we have been chosen for them, and they for us.

We will find out much more this week and get to see pictures of their faces by Friday! This is the week we’ve been patiently waiting for, much like we waited in the past for ultrasounds! This week we receive all the information that is known about these children that will be Raymonds soon.

The whole process feels mysterious and magical, carrying humans in our hearts though not our bodies. I’ve been told we are paper pregnant, and it’s true! We have begun to get our lives in order and maximize our strength and energy to welcome these two little ones. We are nesting, I guess you would say. Once we have the paperwork in hand, we have 10 days to respond.

With our response, we pay a series of impressive fees! Up to this point, we have been able to just pay what was necessary as we have gone along in the process. This time, though, we have to have $25,000 all at once. Part of this money goes to our adoption agency in the US, part goes to our agency's partner in Burundi, part goes to the Government of Burundi, and another part goes to the Hague (the international adoption governing organization). We have been saving, but now we humbly ask anyone interested to join us to bring these children to their family!

A question we are often asked is why we decided to adopt. The truth is that God put it on our hearts a long time ago and then specifically led us down this path, inspiring wonder with each piece of the puzzle that comes into view. There are more details to that story than I can share here, but they would blow your mind! He is so good, and working from all angles in and for each one of us! The earth is his and everything in it! We delight to know his will and say yes to him! We feel as if we have been given a gift, to go on this journey with Yahweh, and have great anticipation and an incredible amount of trust in him only strengthened by this specific situation. We are also growing in patience and hope.

Anticipation is building! We are eager to fold these two children into our lives, which means into yours as well. We are making room for them in every way. Thank you for your love for us, for praying for these two dear children and our family, and for any way you come alongside us for life and love!

With love, always,

Bret and Johnna,

Isaac, Anna, and Luke Raymond