Friday, May 11, 2012

Another Blog? Really?

Well, it seems like the thing to do. Start a blog to explain "The Finishers" and how they came about. All throughout our own adoption process, I had in my heart to help families raise the initial costs of their adoptions. The up-front costs are expensive and not tax-deductible, but then, God does what He does. He dropped a better plan (His plan) into my lap. We were getting close to funded when I had a wonderful lady, who at that point, I had never met, message and offer to do a matching grant. We saw God move mightily over the next few hours as our $1255 need was met and surpassed.

It was so much fun to watch and be a part of that I didn't hesitate when my new friend contacted me, again and wanted to help another family. A week after our family was funded we helped raise the funds for the Cole Family. During this matching challenge, I had another new friend message me and say they'd like to finish up the last $400 that the match just wouldn't cover. Now, we're onto something and my mind is racing. What could God do, if we could successfully match up donors with big hearts for orphans with families who were almost finished fundraising. Turns out He could do pretty big things.

A couple of weeks later, we had formed a small group of "Finishers." The Finishers would consider needs and help the families that God laid on our hearts. Next up was the Reed Family. The Finishers learned of their need, offered a grant and watch as God, once again, brought the funds pouring in. God is faithful! We witnessed all three of the first families get funded in under 12 hours!

The adoption process is long and emotionally draining. Our hope is to come alongside families for that last stretch and help them push through. I have watched as my friends, Ron and Trish Clark, traveled to meet their beautiful daughters and I have watched as they've struggled through waiting on court dates. They need some encouragement. They have faithfully done their part and The Finishers have stepped in with an $800 matching grant for this family!

If you'd like to help the Clark Family, you can make a tax-deductible donation here! Every dollar given up to $800 will be matched now through midnight! Please, share with your friends and help us finish this family, so they can be FULLY FUNDED! Two very precious words in the adoption community. I'll be happy to come back and update you with their "Gotcha Day" pictures of the girls! Those are the two best words in the adoption community!

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.


Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."  2 Corinthians 8:11-15


This is what it's all about friends, this giving and receiving of blessings is what makes the family of God such a wonderful family to be a part of. I'm so excited to watch as God uses the little bit that the Finishers has and mixes it with each of your freely given gifts and uses it to accomplish much for His Kingdom and His Glory!

There is currently $435 left in matching funds for the Clark Family. Let's all do our part to make this match happen for them!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

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