STATISTICS: BUT DON'T PUT GOD IN A BOX
There is a danger of putting this page on our web site. Generally people like to travel on a path of least resistance. Generally people like to have figures and statistics to help them define their options. Generally people want guidelines so they can use them as a barometer to determine their success. Generally people are creatures of habit and prefer that everything is simple, neat, and tidy. The pursuit of adoption often over emphasizes these natural tendencies.
We are asked for statistics in almost every call from those seeking to adopt. We fully understand the desire to have a reference for the success of our service. However, in addition to sharing these statistics, we add that it is not prudent to use these as a formula. Adoption is unlike any other experience in life, just as many other life changing decisions. As Christians that seek to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who always walked with his heavenly Father, we would be foolish to trust in statistics. Our trust should be in our great God's ability to deliver and in His faithfulness to hear our prayers. HE is GOD. He does not use formulas, statistics or the paths of least resistance to answer our prayers. So, as you review these statistics, discipline your mind to not trust in facts and figures, but in GOD. Refrain from putting God in a box to answer your prayers or how He will bless you with a child.
These statistics are based upon the past 137 months we have offered our service, Christian Adoption.
In 137 months we have had 277 successful adoptions/births associated with our service ministry. (1 of those placements/births was in 1996 [when we began Christian Adoption]; 35 in 1997 & 1998; 28 in 1999; 27 in 2000; 23 in 2001; 31 in 2002; 28 in 2003; 32 in 2004; 20 in 2005; 27 in 2006; 24 in 2007; 1 so far in 2008!)
65% of our adoptions have come from birthmothers surfing our web site, contacting the couples directly and a "match" is made. When anyone lists with us, they essentially become their own agent. We educate our couples to understand the adoption process, how to speak with birthmother leads, how to screen their contacts, and how to cross the "T's" & dot the "I's" legally.
25% of our adoptions have come from adoption professionals. Statistically birthmothers want to place their children in Christian homes, even if they are not Christian. (Our first set of birth parents were Buddhists). So when a birthmother enters the office of an adoption agency, social worker or an adoption attorney, and states that she wants her baby to go to a Christian home, these adoption professionals must be cautious to not cross ethical lines by asking their clients if they are Christian. Hence, many of these adoption professionals surf our web site looking for Christian couples. As one attorney in Florida told us, "Everyone on your web site is pre-qualified, I already know that I'm reviewing Christian couples to present to my birthmother clients."
10% of our adoptions have come from word of mouth--via birthmothers sharing Christian Adoption with other birthmothers or adoptive couples sharing Christian Adoption with birthmothers they meet.
90% of our placements have been newborns. 10% have been children from the age of 2 months to 4 years.
60% of the adoptions have been in the adoptive couple's home state. (This reduces the total cost for the adoption process.)
Fastest match: We placed a couple's profile online on a Saturday afternoon, they were contacted Saturday night, and their healthy baby boy was born 5 days later.
Average match time: 6-10 months.
Average time from coming online to holding baby in arms: 9-12 months.
Average cost: $5,000 -- $10,000. This is a huge variable based on whether or not two attorneys are needed, (if the birthmother lives in another state), travel costs, ICPC time required in another state (living expenses), and the needs of the birthmother.) {Footnote: Our second adoption that occurred via Christian Adoption cost just over $10,000.00, and we did not pay our service fee, we cut our expenses wherever possible, and God graciously provided the funds. So, please note that the average cost of $5,000 -- $10,000 has been the average--even though we personally spent more.} [God is your sufficiency and the supplier of your every need, as you trust in HIM to provide.] This average of $5,000 -- $10,000 includes our service fee.
The least anyone has spent for their total adoption process for a healthy baby girl: $1,000.00
We have had over 40 couples spend under $5,000.00 for their entire adoption process.
90% of the birthmothers have had insurance to pay all medical expenses. (They had acquired insurance or their parent's policy covered them or the adoptive couple had a policy that would cover the birthmother.)
85% of the birthmothers that contact us are CHRISTIAN. They've been praying for God's answer/guidance concerning their unplanned pregnancy. GOD LEADS THEM TO US for placement with one of our Christian Adoption couples/families.
We try to emphasize, no, we beg everyone that lists with us to not restrict the ways in which God answers their prayers for a child. We emphatically do not make any claims or promises as to how, when, where or in what manner anyone's prayer for adoption will be answered. The how's, when's, where's, and what's are God's prerogative.
We consider it our responsibility to educate, encourage, support, and assist others in the adoption process. However, we cannot control the actions of any person, any birthmother, any attorney, any adoptive couple, social worker or court system. These statistics provide a framework of information. Now that you have reviewed them, please do not formulize them, and please refrain from putting God in a box.
Our service is like a fish swimming upstream in the adoption process, we are not the norm. Our statistics indicate that this service is different. It is not typical. It is not of the world, even though we are in the world. This is a service ministry that by God's grace and mercy continues to be blessed by God.
It is our prayer that we continue to humble ourselves before God and follow His guidance.
For more information please read Together and Requirements.
We encourage you to follow God's loving guidance.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A Christian ministry
that assists birth parents & Christian couples in their adoption process.
Over 10 years of family building experience!
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
