ADOPTION FUNDRAISING 101 - Guest Blogger - Gwen Oatsvall (see blog list on side bar)

I am posting this because so many families I talk to are so intimidated by the cost of adoption.  Many never considering that God can and does provide! 

Look at this statistic:  34% of Christian families have thought about adoption - only 1% actually do.  Sadly, I think alot of them do not realize how much God longs for us to turn to Him for provision!  Imagine how many children could find homes IF they could trust God's desire to show us how big He is! 

I hope you are inspired and enjoy the post below.
Blessings,
Lydia

I can't tell you how many emails I get about adoption fundraising, so I thought I would do a post and see if I can put all my thoughts into one place ... This will not be a quick or easy fix to hurdles of raising funds ... I do cling to a saying my husband uses - "GOD WILL FUND WHAT HE FAVORS!" ... And we know HE favors the LEAST OF THESE !!!
So here are a few bullet points that I hope will make your journey clear and encourage you ...
1. Prepare your prayer life and be prepared to work really really HARD !!!


2. Do you believe what the scriptures say ? We are all called to care for orphans, speak up for those with no voice, where your heart is there also lies your treasure, whatever you did for the least of these you did for ME !!! And there are many more that call us to stand up for the FATHERLESS


3. You need be to share your story and the journey you are on ... God calls us to be prepared to give a TESTIMONY of what He is doing in our life ... How can people come along side of you when they don't know where you are on your journey ...

4. What are you talents ??? My husband is a coach and during our 2nd adoption he did a few special sports camps to raise money ... Use what God has gifted you w/ to raise funds ...


5. Don't ever be embarrassed to write letters to any and all who you are in contact w/ about your adoption and the RANSOM needed to bring your children home ... I can not tell you the people who have come along side of us financially because that was their part in our journey ... God called them to aid us and we are proud to say that they have a hand in bringing our children home and when they see Emily, Maggie, Joseph or Daisy at the gym playing, running around the yard, or at church they can know they are part of our legacy !!!

6. Katie has taught me about saying YES !!! Her life has showed us how to live more radically for Christ ... How amazing and peaceful it is to be in the center of God's will ... I will be honest and say on a teacher's salary and 6 kids (4 adoptions, 2 special needs angels, and all the medical) it doesn't make sense on paper ... We have even had people ask us HOW, WHY, and SAY WE ARE CRAZY ... but I will also say that we have never missed a meal, a house payment, gone cold, or needed anything, so how crazy really are we ... WE HAVE ROOM AT OUR TABLE, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR HEARTS, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR HOUSE, WE HAVE ROOM IN THE CAR, WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR DAY ... so why wouldn't we !!!


7. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP ??? cable (gave that up a year when bringing Maggie home), TIVO, texting, STARBUCKS, dinner out (gave this up for 3 months when raising funds for Joseph/Daisy), Target new shoes, Magazine habit (gave this up when raising funds for Joseph/Daisy), concession at the games, or stick to a strict grocery budget ... We have done all these at one time or another ... It is not a sacrifice when you think of the eternal blessing you will receive when holding your child !!!


8. ACCEPTING HELP ... Katie Jo is a prime example of a selfless, gracious, and precious friend, who truly understands how precious it is to bring home a child and how hard that can be ... I can't tell you the amount of help she has been to me in raising funds, spreading the news about 147, and just down right getting in the dirt to get the job done ... She is an adoptive mom raising funds herself and yet, she has helped countless others do the same ... IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND WILLING TO HELP YOU, THEN LET THEM BECAUSE WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST NOT AN ISLAND !!!


9. check out the following for additional help ... LifeSong, Both Hands, and Show Hope


10. Last but not least ... After creating my first tee to fundraise and God completely blessing my efforts, Suzanne and I created 147 Million Orphans with a 3 fold purpose - 1) Bring awareness to the Orphan Crisis, 2) Feed Children in Uganda in Katie's program, 3) HELP FAMILIES FUNDRAISE. We know we have a great product ... We have sold to over 35 states in the United States along w/ British Columbia, Canada, Costa Rica, and Europe ... We have been and are helping over 15 families raise funds w/ all of our products (we are now offering the Ugandan Necklaces for fundraising efforts). IT IS OUR HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WALK THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU ... I have been there ... I UNDERSTAND YOUR HEART ... We have worked out most of the kinks in the process and it seems to be running very smoothly ... We have moved all the gear back into our garages (Jan's to be exact ... She is a whole other post ...Angel sent to 147) ... We are mom's helping other mom's to bring home the children God has for them !!!

Don't be afraid to SHOUT ... Tell the world your desire to see a LONELY PLACED IN A FAMILY! YOUR FAMILY !!!

You won't be alone ... God will send the troops !!!