OUR STORY...

We are the Kelly Family - Andrew, Jenny, Vitali, Liza, Abbie, Sophie & Noah!

For close to two decades, we have lived and served in Ukraine as missionaries. Jenny moved to Ukraine in 1997 and Andrew in 2004. Both of us moved here to work with orphan graduates who were aging out of the government orphanage system. Having spent years operating transitional homes in separate parts of Ukraine, we met and married in 2007. Shortly after, we moved to the small, remote village of Kolentsi, Ukraine, about one hour north of Kyiv where we have continued to minister to orphans, at-risk children and some of the most vulnerable people of Ukraine.

Our hearts have always been for the orphans and at-risk children of Ukraine. For the downtrodden. For the neglected. For those  one foot in both workdwho have no voice to speak out for them.

We have both known for years that our desire was to one day adopt and welcome another child into our family. Two years ago, we set out to adopt and through a series of events, we ended up not adopting, but taking legal guardianship of two amazing kids...Vitali & Liza. They arrived into our home on November 21, 2017 and we have been blessed since that day to call them our son and daughter.


When we took guardianship of the kids, they were not available for international adoption. So, we have waited. Now, the allowed amount of time has passed and we want to move forward and complete the adoption.  

Our situation is unique.  We are Americans, but hold Permanent Residency in Ukraine.  This affords us the opportunity to complete paperwork as a Ukrainian family would, but go through the adoption process as Americans.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  The paperwork stack is MUCH less to submit, but the complications of home study through Ukrainian social services and eventual immigration are complicated by the fact that Ukrainian laws were written for either foreign adoption or Ukrainian adoption, but not for a family with one foot in each world legally.

So, we are setting a new precedent and that requires working against the natural flow of adoptions here in Ukraine.  Our adoption process is unique and with it comes unique financial burdens that are hard for us to bear as missionaries living on financial support.  So, we invite you...family, friends and strangers...to join us in providing Vitalii and Liza with a forever family!

So, while we are excited to finalize our kids adoption, we are also experiencing a little trepidation as we are beginning this adventure (again) to adopt Vitali and Liza officially as “Kelly kids”! Please join us in praying for our family during this journey!

-----------------------------------------------

FUNDING NEEDS...

For full transparency, this is our "Estimated Budget"  which we are needing to raise to cover the following expenses as we work to finalize Vitali and Liza's adoption:

                 - Documents/Notarization/FedEx    $1,000
                 - Adoption Facilitator/Translator      $3,000
                 - Ukrainian Lawyer                                     $2,000
                 - Apartment in Kyiv for 6 months      $4,200  *

* our adoption situation is unique.  As we are missionaries and live in the directors house on our camp property, that is not sufficient for the adoption path we are taking.  We need to either own or rent a home for the home study and therefore are renting an apartment in Kyiv for the anticipated 6 months it will take for the adoption.  This will the "our home" for home study and legal registration purposes as we complete the adoption.  (We REALLY wish we did not have to do this and spend this money!)

-------------------------------------------------

We realize that this is a large amount and that many of you gave two years ago when we started the adoption process.  Unfortunately, because of our unique situation, our adoption story has proven to have extra obstacles and expenses beyond our control.  We know that our God is greater than these obstacles and that He desires for Vitali & Liza to be in a forever family.  We also know that we have an incredible base of support in our family and friends and are thankful for all you have done and continue to do for us.  We invite you to help us give Vitali & Liza a forever family!

Thank you in advance!
Andrew & Jenny