We have been building our family through adoption since 2001.  We knew our family was not complete when some friends who were adopting from DRC told us about Our Family Adoptions and the need in Congo.  After researching and the positive conversations with OFA, we knew our third child was in DRC.  Cloee Amana was in the Lisanga Orphanage and at nearly a month old she moved in with the Loma family until our adoption was finalized.  We brought Cloee home in November 2009 when she was 2-1/2 months old.  She has an older sister, Jenna (3 years) and an older brother, Cade (10 years).  Cloee is growing and thriving and is now 7 months old.  We loved working with OFA and Jilma.  She was very hands on and available whenever I needed her.  We can’t thank OFA enough for helping us grow our family.  Cloee is a gift from God and a true blessing to our family.

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Kamron and Megan Terry knew that when it came time to add a third child to their family, they wanted to adopt.  Originally, they looked into adoptions through the foster care system.  After hearing of another family’s adoption from DRC, the Terry’s started learning all they could about the Congo and international adoptions.  What they learned both shocked and saddened them.  Megan says they just knew at that moment that their baby was waiting for them in DRC.  When they recieved the referral of their son, Miles Dieudonne, it was love at first sight.  Miles was abandoned at the Jamaa Letu orphanage in Lubumbashi.  He came home in February of 2010 and is adjusting well.  He loves his brother and sister and is very affectionate.

Megan says, “We are thrilled with OFA!  We felt like we weren’t just a number.  The level of service and attention we recieved during the process really put our minds at ease.  We are also impressed with the humanitarian work being done by OFA.  They truly are committed to caring for the orphans in Congo. We just can’t thank them enough for helping us bring home our son.”

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Jamey and Stori knew they wanted to adopt at least one child from the D.R.C.  When they received a picture of Ian they excitedly accepted.  Stori secretly wished that they had gotten a sibling pair.  To their surprise it was discovered that Ian had a brother!   The brothers were  in the Lisanga Orphanage in Kinshasa.  Later guardianship of the boys were given to the Methodist Church so a wonderful family could care for their boys until all the paperwork was completed.  The couple brought  Chad (18  months) and Ian (8 months) home in November of 2009 to their older sister Livia and brother Parker.

Chad is life of the party!  He loves to talk to everyone!  He especially loves hugs and kisses.  He spoke some Lingala and French, and in only a month he has rapidly picked up English too.  Ian is the baby of the family and he acts the part.  His favorite place to be is snuggled in his mommy’s arms.  The love between these two boys is such an amazing thing to see.

The couple can simply not say enough good things about OFA.  “Every step of the way we were guided personally on our amazing journey.  We would highly recommend this wonderful organization for the adoption process or as a great nonprofit organization for donations.   We give a big THANK YOU to OFA for not only helping us bring our children home but caring for all of the children of the D.R.C.” 

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Tom and Traci adopted Debora in April 2009. They knew they wanted to adopt a child from Democratic Republic of Congo but had no idea where to start. Through what they believe was a Divine intervention they found Our Family Adoptions. They are FOREVER grateful for the dedicated work and support the organization provides the children and families. Debora came home to a full house with 2 big brothers and a big sister. She is such a gift and blessing to their family, they can’t imagine their lives without her. She is a very sweet little girl who loves life. She wakes each day with a smile and an excitement to learn something new. She loves books, music and the beach. There were times when the journey to Debora seemed to be a never ending road but the support and encouragement they received through Our Family Adoptions kept them focused on the ultimate goal of bringing their precious daughter home.

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Moses Liam was approximately 6 1/2 months old when he was brought home to the Midwest by Bill and Julie in April 2009.  Moses was found abandoned in October 2008 and was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  Bill and Julie had always dreamed of having a child with Down Syndrome and brought Moses home with great joy.  Moses is a thriving baby who is full of laughter and love which he spreads to everyone he meets.  Moses has impressed every doctor and specialist he has met, and excels in skills for an infant his age.  Moses enjoys people and being social.  He communicates impressively well as a baby through sign language.  Moses also loves to cuddle and give kisses, he enjoys life and learning.  Moses is Bill and Julie’s first child and he adjusted immediately to his new family and to life in the US.  Needless to say, bringing Moses home has been a great blessing, Moses is truly a gift from God.  This new family is forever grateful for OFA.

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Joseph and Solange were adopted by Ryan and Cami in April of 2009.  They are happy to be together and are thriving with their new family in the Southwest.  They have an older brother and a younger sister who waited anxiously for them during the adoption process.  They are adjusting incredibly well to life in the United States, and began speaking English in a matter of weeks.  Joseph is quite a character and can light up the room with his personality.  Solange is loving and sweet with an infectious smile.  Both are enjoying school and their sporting activities, and are quick to make new friends. Their parents are forever grateful for the important work of Our Family Adoptions and for all four of their children. 

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Haven was adopted by his parents Brian and Carrie in April, 2009.  Haven was orphaned in January 2009, when his mother died while  fleeing the violence in Goma.  When she died, there was no one to take care of a very sick Haven.  A Methodist aid worker intervened and called the Methodist Bishop in Kinshasa who in turn contacted Our Family Adoptions.

Upon receiving the information regarding Haven, Jilma at OFA called Brian and Carrie and informed them that there was a little boy available for adoption.  Originally, Brian and Carrie were looking for a little sister for their daughter, Grace, whom they adopted in China in 2007.  After some discussion and fervent prayer, Brian and Carrie trusted that Haven had been placed in their path by God.  Haven was flown from the Methodist aid station in Wembo Nyama, DRC to Kinshasa in early February 2009, where he was registered to the Lisanga Ya Orphanage.  He was severely malnourished and though he was four months old, he weighed less than 7 lbs.   In April 2009, Brian travelled to Kinshasa DRC to meet Haven.  They returned together to Texas in early May 2009.  Since coming home Haven has thrived.  As of September of 2009, he weighed 24 lbs.  Brian and Carrie feel that by following God, they have been blessed just as much as Haven.  Brian and Carrie are so impressed with Our Family Adoptions that they have begun to volunteer their time to the organization.  Brian speaking about OFA– “What really impresses me most about OFA is that it is run entirely by volunteers who are dedicating their time to helping orphans find loving homes.”  

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Ed and Chelese adopted Daniella in January of 2008, when she was seven months old.  She is now a bright and busy 2 year old and is thriving.  She loves her older sisters!  From the moment they first held her in their arms in DRC, she has been a loving and happy baby, and a true joy.    Her sense of humor and sweetness continue to grow with her.  Ed and Chelese are eternally thankful that Our Family Adoptions was able to connect them with our daughter.  They remain committed to the organization and support Our Family Adoptions in many ways.  We at OFA are blessed to have them as part of our network of adoptive families.

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Stella was abandoned at approximately 3 weeks old and was found alone in an empty building in Lubumbashi, DRC.   She was brought to Jamaa Letu Orphanage and lived there until she was adopted by Chris and Melissa.  Chris and Melissa have three biological daughters and are licensed Foster Care parents. They always considered adopting a child.

Chris was asked to join a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Medical Team to help film a short documentary of the team’s mission to the DRC.   During Chris’ visit to DRC, he visited Jamaa Letu orphanages and got to meet the girls and boys.  Upon Chris’ return to the US, Chris and Melissa decided to pursue an international adoption through OFA.  15 months later, Chris traveled back to DRC and brought Stella home to her new family.

Stella is doing quite well home in the USA.  She spends time playing with her new sisters and enjoys an occasional episode of Barney.  Her favorite foods are spaghetti and yogurt.  Stella has had a fun time learning English, although the whole family enjoys speaking Swahili too.  Stella is truly a gift from God and Chris and Melissa couldn’t imagine their lives without her.

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Gracia was eight years old when Jilma and Nathan adopted her.  Jilma had previously traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and worked to help build the Jamaa Letu Girls Orphanage in Ruashi.  During her visit, she discussed the possibility of adoption with the Executive Director of the Jamaa Letu orphanages.  Jilma, Nathan and their daughter Aliera all traveled to DRC to meet Gracia and see the orphanage where she was living.  Jilma took a third trip to DRC to process the adoption and bring Gracia home to her new family. 

Gracia has integrated well into life in the United States and has become a regular American teenager.  She plays premiere-level soccer, loves playing the piano, is fluent in English, and has many friends.  Most importantly, she is a blessing to her entire family and is dearly loved by grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.