Shane & Tina W.
China 2012

In August of 2010, after a couple of years of prayer and contemplation, our family began the adoption process.  Having two boys already (Caleb, 13, and Joshua, 11), God led us toward the adoption of a little girl … from China.

Having a close friend who is a maxillofacial surgeon, we were open to the special need of cleft lip/cleft palate.  As months past, we completed form after form and appointment after appointment.  On August 30, 2011 (1 year and 1 week after we started the process), we received the referral for our daughter, who will forevermore be known as Madeline Mei.  But, there were still many more forms and many more appointments before we could travel to bring our little Madi Mei home.

In March, we were notified that our travel date would be May 2nd.  All was falling into place.  We had made provisions for the majority of our expenses through a home refinance, savings and through other fund raising efforts like a CD of original songs I recorded, but we were still a little short on the funding needed for this trip.  In stepped A Child Waits Foundation with just the help we needed.  They were able to supply us with the additional funding we needed at a low interest rate that was fair and affordable.  Due to their help, we were able to keep our travel date of May 2nd.  And, on May 7th, we had our little Madi Mei in our arms for the first time!

On May 16th, we were finally back home and introducing our Madi Mei to the rest of her family and friends.  We’ve been home for about a month now and Madi is adjusting very well.  She loves her mom, dad and big brothers; she sleeps great at night and she eats better than any of us!  It is impossible for us to truly express how grateful we are to A Child Waits Foundation for their help.  Without them, we may not have been able to keep our original travel date and may still be waiting to travel to China to bring Madi Mei home!

Shane, Tina, Caleb, Joshua and Madeline W.