Update Interruption for some Exciting News!

We want to share with you something we've been involved in since we got back from Ghana. Ken and I share, with many in our church, a desire to help families called to adopt but don't feel they have the funds needed to get started. We are excited to be a part of starting an adoption ministry in our church.

This week we were interviewed by our local paper regarding our adoption and the ministry (link to be posted when available).

Below is what was put in our church bulletin.

Adoption Ministry Puzzle

  Michelle and I recently traveled to Ghana, West Africa to adopt two precious children who needed a forever family.  On the morning of June 3^rd, 2011, the judge in Accra, Ghana provided a final adoption decree making them legally part of our family.  We would like to introduce Solomon (Kwame), age 5, and Vivian, age 4, to you in a fun way that will also allow you to be part of uniting these and many more children into loving, God-fearing homes.

One of the biggest barriers preventing families from adopting children, domestically or internationally, is the upfront finances required.  The average cost of adoption is about $30,000 according to an Adoptive Families adoption cost survey (2009-2010).  I say upfront, because at this moment in history, the US government reimburses a large portion of adoption costs as federal income tax credits.  Also, some employers have an adoption assistance program that also helps families by reimbursing some expenses.  Through God’s incredible provision, he has orchestrated funds to be available, even in tough economic times, to do His will regarding orphans.   Although not all are called to adopt, we are all encouraged to care for orphans and widows.

James 1:27  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Well, let’s see the kids you say? What about the fun reveal?  Glad you asked.  We have used pictures of Solomon (Kwame) and Vivian to create two 250 piece puzzles that will unveil their precious faces.  We invite you to sponsor puzzle pieces for $20 each. When a piece (or pieces) is sponsored, we’ll write (or you can autograph) the sponsor’s name on the back and will add it to the puzzle.  As the puzzle is being built, we will take pictures and post progress on our blog (www.thebechtoldfamily.blogspot.com).  In the end, we will have two completed puzzles, with double sided glass, to be hung in our home.  The puzzles will be a constant reminder of the people God used to bring Solomon (Kwame) and Vivian into their forever family.  

How does this help other families?   Because there are avenues for reimbursement, we are committing to treat all puzzle donations as a covenant loan that will be repaid to the Park Hills Adoption Fund in anticipation that similar loans will be made available to other families who are on the adoption journey.   In this way, God’s money can be recycled over and over.   This is an incredible opportunity for you to help start a fund to knock down upfront financial barriers families’ face, while also being a small piece (pun intended) to a bigger beautiful picture.

We covet your prayers as we prepare to bring them home.  We are too naïve at this point to understand all the challenges God has in store for our new family but, we continue to trust and rely on Him as we journey down this new path.

Ken, Michelle, Jacob, Nicole, Kwame & Vivian Bechtold

(If you write a check, please make it payable to Park Hills Church and write Adoption Fund in the memo.)