We have had it in our hearts since the beginning of our marriage to adopt. But with the move to SC and all the other things on our plate, we thought it would be a while until we would be able to adopt a child. We also thought we would adopt domestically, possibly through foster care to keep costs low. But in February of 2015 my wife took at trip to Haiti and the Lord convicted her that this was the place we were supposed to adopt from, AND that we were to adopt 2 kids!
This is obviously a HUGE financial step of faith. But one day when I was praying and complaining to God about spending $50,000 on our adoption, this thought popped into my head- "Ben, you didn't have any problem spending $100,000 on your house. You didn't stress, you didn't lose sleep, you didn't complain. You made that decision without much deliberation or concern at all. Why are you stressed about spending half the cost of your house to take in 2 kids from the poorest country in the western hemisphere?"
And then I come across videos like this about how kids in Haiti are eating mud pies, and I gain even more perspective.
So we need lots of help and prayer from friends, family, and even people we don't know. Here are some practical ways you can help:
- Donate items to our yard sale. We are having a huge yard sale on October 9-10 and are looking for things to sell. Email Janelle at janellieganson@yahoo.com if you want to donate.
- Donate through our "Both Hands" fundraiser. We will be doing a big service project on a local widow's house and raising financial support for our kids at the same time (watch this video, if you want a better idea of what Both Hands is all about). The project won't take place probably until the spring, but we have an account and can receive tax deductible gifts through Both Hands at any time. Once we have a date set for the project, you can donate through our Both Hands website, but until that page is set up, here's how to give:
Mail checks payable to:
Both Hands
PO Box 2713
Brentwood, TN 37024
Attach a piece of paper indicating your giving preference is “Ganson #236 adoption”
3. Purchase an item on this website by October 1. You will receive a 20% discount, and 20% of your purchase will go to our adoption when you use the promocode "gansonfamily."
We will probably have other ways to support the adoption costs in the future (we're looking at a fair-trade coffee fundraiser as well, plus there will be other things that pop up.) Thanks in advance for your support and for helping us move from Ganson Five to Ganson Seven!
Ben and Janelle Ganson
