The Ackerman Adoption Journey

It is with great excitement and joy that we share this update with you!

Adoption has always been on our hearts. From the beginning of our marriage, Kinsley and I have felt called to open our home to children in need of a family. We are prayerfully hoping to welcome two siblings into our home. We’ve been waiting for the right time, trusting in God’s plan. Recently, we sensed that now was the time to begin this journey. What started as a simple step to get the process moving quickly turned into an undeniable calling to move forward at full speed as doors began to open in ways only God could orchestrate.

From the start, we felt a deep connection to Africa. After much prayer, research, and navigating roadblocks with several countries, we were drawn to Malawi. Our church has strong ties to Malawi through mission work, and we hope this connection will help us give our children a lifelong link to their culture and heritage.

Finding an agency to work with wasn’t easy—most countries have several options, but Malawi had only two, and neither was accepting new families. Despite this, we stayed the course, praying for God to make a way.

Soon after, we experienced what can only be described as a divine appointment. After we decided on Malawi, we realized that Joe had just met a gentleman at church from Malawi, Vivian and his wife Chim. They just moved here temporarily for Vivian to study at UNC. We made a plan to ask them on Sunday at church if we could have them over for dinner. Our church is kinda big so we weren’t sure how we’d find them, but then they sat two rows in front of us. Thank you, God!

We ran up to them after service and were transparent that we are hoping to adopt from Malawi and would love to make friends. We thought the connection would be amazing to have. Chim laughed and said, “Wow, you’re talking to the right people! Vivian worked for the government in Malawi overseeing adoptions.” We couldn’t believe it.

Not only did Vivian work with adoptions, but he was a senior adoption case officer for the Ministry of Gender, one of just five individuals who can directly impact the adoption process in Malawi. And here he was, sitting in our church, willing to help us. Thank you, God!

We took the next step by contacting a local agency to begin our home study. Through that call, we were introduced to a third agency that works with Malawi, one we hadn’t heard of before. When we called them, the agent explained that they were technically closed to new Malawi adoptions but added, “We’re a Christian organization, and we believe in following God’s plan. From what you’ve shared, this sounds like God’s plan. We would like to open a spot for your family.”

She also explained how Malawi’s adoption process is known to be complex, often taking years to complete without the right guidance. But with God’s hand so evident in every step, we said yes to the journey, trusting Him to lead the way.

Vivian and Chim have already been an incredible blessing, offering advice, making key connections, and sharing guidance. Remarkably, in the last few weeks, there have been shifts in Malawi’s adoption process, and timelines that used to take years may now be condensed to about a year. Thank you, God!

As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. It may surprise you to hear that international adoption related costs can easily add up. Based on the fee schedule provided to us by our adoption agency, we’ve set a goal of $60,000 to help cover the significant expenses involved in adopting two children from Malawi. As we work through the adoption process, we want to offer ways for you to be part of our journey and help us bring our children home. If you would like different ways to support us, please visit our adoption website at https://ackermanadoption.my.canva.site/. Every step of the way, your support will make a lasting impact on our family.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for how God has worked through this process, and we are so thankful for your prayers, encouragement, and support. They mean more to us than we can express. We look forward to the day we bring our children home and can share the next chapter of this beautiful journey with you.

With love and gratitude,

Joe & Kinsley