FAQ's

Top Ten Questions We Have Been Asked About Our Adoption

1. Why Adoption?
We believe that when someone becomes a Christian, he or she is adopted by God. We want to give someone a forever family like God has given us. We feel that one way we can model His love is through adoption.

2. Why China?
We considered domestic and several international programs. China's program was reliable and organized, it only required one trip, and many infant girls were available.

3. Do You Know Who Your Child Is?
China matches families with their child based on the guidelines the adoptive families give them for age, gender, etc. But we do not know the specific child until we receive our "referral."

4. What will you name her? Will you keep her chinese name?
She will have a Chinese name probably given to her by the orphanage director, unless she came to the orphange with her name on her belongings. We hope to incorporate her Chinese name as a middle name, to go with a name we will choose for her.

5. What costs are involved?
The total cost of our international adoption is $22,000. For specific cost info go to www.bucknerinternational.org

6. How long does it take? Why does it take so long?
Timeframes for international adoption fluxuate according to many different factors. When we started China was one of the quickest programs (12-15 months total). China is slowing down because they are moving and restructuring the CCAA (the official Chinese government office that deals with adoptions). They are changing some of the requirements for adoptive parents (that shouldn't affect us). We expect to receive our "referral" by November 2006 and travel by February/March 2007.

7. How old will the child be?
We requested a girl 6-18 months. The average age is currently 11 months.

8. Will it be a boy or a girl?
China has 95% girls in their orphanages. We have always wanted to parent both boys and girls, and since we already have boys, we requested a girl.

9. What do your kids think?
Our kids are very excited about having a little sister. They spend a lot of time planning what games to teach her when she arrives.

10. How can I help?
Pray for our daughter, her birthfamily, her caregivers and the other children at the orphange, our paperwork, our trip to China, and the remaining financial need. Please let us know if you are praying for us and/or if you would like to help in any way.