Donate to help us adopt.

The Santos family consists of 4 weirdo's with lots of love. From the beginning of our marriage, Manny and I knew we wanted to adopt; even before deciding on biological children. Twice we began the process but couldn't because...well we lived in a basement, and another time there was a job loss right before we were set to take foster/adopt training classes. After those disappointments, I wondered if perhaps it wasn't meant to be. But as time passes the desire only grows, and we had to remember the story of Sara and Abraham. It took much longer than they expected, but Isaac came. We already love a child whom we cannot see and will press forward in faith believing we will.

After much more research and a process of elimination, we have decided to adopt from Vietnam. We had avoided this country because we didn't want our fascination with this location to guide our decision. Low and behold after not qualifying for other places (too old lol, don't have an extra bedroom, health isn't good enough), being unable able to stay the length of time required to finalize, and with countries putting pause due to Covid, etc., we have ended here. While we are grateful that toddlers and babies get adopted quickly, we have always felt drawn to older children. We are told that 5-10+ is one of the greatest needs, and that's a great age according to our kids, who are excited and are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes. We have never taken a vacation as a family (other than the grandparent's house) and were discussing the possibility of that next year. I asked them if they'd adopt even if it meant there may be more years of sacrifice and my son summed it up when he said "I'd much rather have a sibling, than a vacation."

Now, I know some may wonder, "Why pay so much when we have kids to adopt from foster here?" I have asked that myself. If you really want to know why, I'd encourage you to look into the details. One example is that 7-year-olds are mostly fostered first so there's a risk/hope of that child going back home. That can be great but we would have to say goodbye each time. There isn't a better or worse (risks are there for all children-even biological), there are just kids longing for a family.

So, if you feel in your heart that you want to help us in this journey, please donate. We don't have anywhere close to what we need, but we wouldn't let that deter us from getting pregnant, so we don't want it to stop us from adopting. If you don't agree, I understand. I usually don't agree with these "irresponsible" approaches, myself. But we teach our kids that when God gives you an overflow of something, it is meant to be shared. Whether it's money, talent, food - share it. I can only say we are all bursting at the seams with love - please help us share it if you feel moved to. And money isn't the greatest need, prayer is. I don't have some idealist view of having a child who has suffered in various ways for years, suddenly come here and be great. But when we fear that we won't be good enough as parents, then we place our hope in God, who has promised to give us wisdom if we seek it. So pray for our focus, for our children, for provision, and thank you for caring enough to read this. We are grateful.