James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
There are over 147 million orphans worldwide and 120,000 children currently in the U.S. foster care system. It is estimated that less than 10% of these children are adopted into evangelical Christian families. God desires for orphans of all nations to be loved and cared for, and adopted into Christian families- ultimately so they can become saved and adopted into His eternal family through Jesus Christ.
Dear Family and Friends,
When we decided to follow Christ, we sensed a call on our life to make a difference for God’s Kingdom. We pray that God would choose to use us to impact many people, while at the same time realizing this is accomplished one person at a time. We have constantly asked God what He would have us do for Him, ever listening….. Sometimes He has chosen to speak loud and clear, sometimes soft and quiet. Sometimes we have jumped fast and sometimes we have dragged our feet and asked, “Are you sure?”
I (Kathy) have read many stories where people knew from childhood that they wanted to adopt, but that wasn’t the case for us. God has worked on our hearts slowly over the years. Many years it wasn’t even a consideration because of Mark’s health and our struggles with debt, plus we were just plain scared. God began making it clear over the last few years that He wanted us to adopt, confirming to both of us in many ways - Fully Alive Community Church partnering with an orphanage in Tanzania; reading the book “Radical Together”; Mark hearing about “Door of Hope” at Centri-Kid Camp; God putting families with adopted children in our lives at church, little league and softball are just a few examples.
We originally looked into foster adopting but were told we could only have two children per room including our own, so we continued praying and researching.
We have stepped out onto the water…..
In January 2014 we applied and were accepted into the Holt International China program…. adopting a child with special needs from China. Over the last year we have filled out crazy amounts of paper work, taken parenting classes, had physicals, tracked down birth certificates, written an extensive personal history, met with a social worker, more paper work, etc.
We were told that it could take several months before we found out who our child might be… but less than a week after our first paper pile was approved we were matched with an adorable 3 year old little boy named Adam who has been in an orphanage since he was two days old. He has a condition called radial dysphasia (he is missing one radial bone and the other is shorter, also missing thumbs on both hands and one finger on the other.) We are including his picture but we are not aloud to post any pictures of him on any form of social media.
We are now asking for your help!
First, we need a prayer team. There are so many hurdles when it comes to adoption (we’ve already experienced so many that we should have asked for prayer earlier) Kathy would love to be able to send a quick Facebook mesage, text or email as issues arise. Please let us know the best way to contact you.
Second, our desire is to accomplish this adoption debt free. We have and are continuing to work on this with our own personal resources (budgeting, cutting back, selling things and applying for grants etc.)
We know not everyone agrees with fundraising for adoption and that’s okay, but we wanted to offer you the opportunity to help make a huge difference in one child’s life. The total cost of our adoption will be approximately $35,000. We’re asking if you would be willing to contribute to the blessing of bringing Adam home.
The organization Lifesong is coming along side us to help with donations. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us cover part of our adoption expenses to bring Adam home?
Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans. In the memo, note “Nunn Family” and our account number Nunn #4916 to assure it goes to the correct account. Please mail in the enclosed enveloped addressed to Lifesong for Orphans, P.O. Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744.
Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). Which means 100% of your donation will go directly to our adoption.
Another option is to give online. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate. Select “Give to an Adoptive Family” Complete the online form and fill in Nunn #4916 for family account number and “Nunn” in the family name fields.
In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This Organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will recieve a tax -deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
Thank you for joining us on this journey and investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. (Isaiah 43:5)
Much love,
Mark, Kathy, Amber, Austin, Aaron, Aidan and Ashton.
P.S. Kathy is going to “attempt” again to blog…..and post updates as we go through the process at messesmadebeautiful.blogspot.com
Mark pastornunn@yahoo.com
Kathy kathynunn67@hotmail.com
