Our Daughter is in Ethiopia, and We are Bringing Her Home

Online, March 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - There are approximately five million orphans in Ethiopia today. Soon there will be one less. A family is adopting and bringing a new daughter home. Their story is one of paperwork, patience, and providence.

The adoption call came on a Sunday morning in August of 2008 as Bob and Cheri Rogers singing with fellow believers at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Hood River. Cheri vividly recalls her vision:

"That's when I first saw her. She was between 12-18 months old, in a white tank top. Her hair was in pigtails, tied with pink ribbons. I could see her from the waist up. I heard God say, 'Bring them home,' and instantly, I knew. I knew she was in Ethiopia; I knew she was our daughter; I knew we needed to go get her." She shared her vision with her husband, Bob Rogers, and he readily agreed that this was God's plan for their family.

Seventeen months have passed since that morning, and many forms, interviews, and a hefty dossier have brought the adoption near fruition; but Cheri says that the seeds of adoption were planted even before the couple's wedding day twenty years ago.

"I remember talking with Bob about having our own children-- as well as adopting," Cheri recollects. Bob and Cheri are the parents of three sons: Brennan (13), Noah (8), and Joshua (6).

Now the boys look forward to their sister coming home as heard in Joshua's bedtime prayer,

"Dear God, please make our little girl safe until we go get her. Please help my Mom and Dad drive or take an airplane to Ethiopia. Amen." And each day the Rogers wait for the second call; the one that will bring their little girl home to join them on their small farm in the gorge.

The Rogers are now inside the top ten on a referral list, waiting for the orphanage and the Ethiopian government to connect them with a child. They are hopeful that they will be traveling to Ethiopia to meet their daughter and bring her home this spring. In the meantime, they are praying for the Lord's continued financial provision, the safety of the children at the orphanage, and the African families impacted by adoption.

By the time all fees have been paid, an Ethiopian adoption can cost between $25,000 and $30,000. To keep the community and supporters informed and provide them with a way to share their journey, the Rogers have a blog at BringingLoveHome.com with current information and opportunities for people to dialog, donate, or purchase 'Just Love Coffee' fair-trade coffee varieties. Money raised also benefits the Kids Care Orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

You can visit the Rogers' blog for updates, stories, details of the adoption process, as well as pictures of their family and daughter united (as soon as available) at BringingLoveHome.com