Many of you have asked about adopting from China. Here are some answers to help explain the hows and whys of adopting from China.

Why are you adopting from China?

As a couple, we have always considered adoption as a way to grow our family. We have discussed it many times over the years. We always concluded with it is too hard and way too expensive. We have been interested in China for many years because of the thousands of orphaned baby girls there due to the one child policy. Plus, we really love and respect the Chinese culture. Over the years we have read books and articles on the abandoned baby girls of China. Our hearts have ached for them and now is the time to actually do something about it! We have wanted more children over the years and because Kim has such hard pregnancies (sick!) we knew adoption was something we were interested in. This desire has grown over the years as a culmination of all these things. We feel God has given us this desire for another child and a heart, specifically, for the orphaned child.

Why are there so many girls in the orphanages?

Due to China trying to control its population, the government set up a one child policy. There are incentives involved if the families will follow this policy. There are fines and punishment if they do not. Culture dictates that the girls marry and leave their families, so the boys take care of their aging parents. Society puts a lot of pressure on the women to have boys. Women feel like they have no choice but to abandon their baby girls in a public place so they will be found. Most of these mothers love their babies and it is heart wrenching for them to do this. We feel very sad for the birth mothers. They know the orphanages will take care of their babies and they hope their baby will soon be adopted.

What age child will you receive?

We have asked for a baby between 7-14 months old or as young as possible. We are also open to twins, although this is very rare. We qualify for a baby up to 24 months old. It takes 6 months to declare a baby legally abandoned in China, so the baby will be older than 6 months.

When will you go to China to receive your baby?

Once we finish the paperwork, we will be given a log in date from China. This will be the beginning of our wait. The wait is longer right now, so it looks like it could be a year or so before we receive our referral. The Chinese government matching room will match us to a baby. We will then be sent her picture and any information they know about her. Part or all of our family will travel 6-8 weeks after we accept the referral.

How will you explain to her about the adoption?

We will always express how special God's plan for her life is-that she was wanted by us even though we already had children. We will explain to her that her birthmother loved her and wanted her to have a family. We always want her to know that God cared for and loved her even when she was alone in the orphanage. He orchestrated this whole situation to bring her to us! What a blessing!!!! We also have a wonderful book called When You Were Born in China that so beautifully explains the situation in China and how it came about for her to be adopted. I can't wait to read it to her.