Testimonials
Testimonials
The Jager Family
The Jager Family
Two years ago when we stepped off the plane in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we knew our lives were about to change. Yeah…we knew that we were there for one purpose and one purpose only…to pick up and bring home our baby girl who we had yet to meet. Little did we know how much the trip would change our lives. … How can one love someone so much in an instant? How come she was chosen for us? How come we were chosen for her? How did her story become our story? How did our story become her story? How many more chapters are still to be written? These brief words only begin to tell the story of how we met our precious little Addison for the first time. When we first made contact with Children’s House International at the end of October 2007 we had no idea of what to expect. On our first meeting we knew that we were in good hands. We were approached with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine heart for the orphan. Not only were they knowledgeable about the whole process, they had a deeper understanding of it from the beginning to the end. As we continued with the paperwork process, they held our hand each step of the way. We were informed about what forms were needed, when the deadline was, and how to go about it. Our social worker not only “checked us out”, but she gave us encouragement and some great information that we will be able to use in the future about what it means to being a “conspicuous family” in the North American culture. They also offered us the names of other adoptive families in the area so we were able to bounce our ideas, our human frustrations, and the joy that comes with each completed step. The day we received and accepted our referral the staff was just as excited as we were. Our trip to Ethiopia was full of anticipation but after we were checked into our hotel and a phone call was made to Abdissa Benti Leye, our nerves were calmed. The next morning the Thomas Center staff picked us up and we were on our way to meet our daughter. The gates opened and there she was and she was ours. We were treated as royalty as we were served lunch and given directions for the next few days.
When filling out our final paperwork for the embassy, we realized we had the wrong form. Abdissa did everything in his power and we were able to have it ready to go. We were escorted to the embassy and Abdissa was right there by our side to make sure everything went smoothly. From then on, we felt that the staff of the Thomas Center would be forever part of our Ethiopian family.
The children who were living in the Thomas Center had a joy that you can not explain. The smile of each of these precious children made the poverty just outside the gate disappear. The nanny’s cared for each child as their own, and they are so grateful for the adoptive families who are willing to give these children a chance. The excellent medical care that each child received could not be compared to the love that was given to each one. After returning home, we were welcomed back with open arms and a willingness by the CHI staff to help us with the necessary paperwork that needed to be filed stateside as well as our post placement interviews. We would personal like to thank YOU, parents who are considering adoption, for the heart you have for these children oversees. Each one is a special gift of God, and each one deserves a family as much as we do. The only difference between us and them is our place of birth. Please pray about the process of adoption, and if the answer is “Yes”, know that Children’s House International will help you through each step of the journey. We truly believe in the mission and vision of Children’s House so much that we have started the fund-raising process once again and will be using CHI as our placing agency.The Molendyk Family
The Molendyk Family
Three years ago we were introduced to Children’s House International when we began our journey to adopt from Ethiopia. We are so grateful for each staff member who helped us bring our son Trevin home. It was such a comfort to know that they were doing all they could to help our process go as “smoothly” as possible. In Ethiopia, we were moved by the love and care Trevin and the other children were being given. It truly felt like one big family at the Thomas Center. After witnessing Abdissa at work, we were assured that our adoption case was in the hands of one of the best representatives in Ethiopia! His knowledge and his commitment to helping our children find their forever family is incomparable.
Our experience with Children’s House International was exceptional, and we highly recommended them to other families who are interested in adoption. We are so blessed to have Trevin in our family, and we have recently started our second adoption journey with CHI!
” I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the last 10 years have been with my son. He was adopted from Romania in 2000. What a joy he has been to our family. He is now 11, almost 12 and would love to be 13. He loves music and art. School, not so much. He is very social. We have traveled to D.C. to the Embassy party almost every year. We have met lots of people and learned a lot about Romanian culture. Thank you Children’s House International for bringing us together and enriching our lives through our son. I am thankful that you continue to help families fulfill their dreams. Take care and Happy New Year!”
– Nancy, adopted from Romania
“Our time in Guatemala! We were relaxed to enjoy it as we were prepared and ready for the process. Highlight meeting Kathy and Deborah!”
– Janie, adopted from Guatemala
“All questions and concerns were happily explained. Any new updates of revised paperwork from country or changes for paperwork were always immediately taken care of.”
– Joy, adopted from Guatemala
“Having people who actually cared about us during this journey in our lives that helped us every step of the way.”
– Mike and Gretchen, adopted from Ethiopia
“Lisa was very helpful and responsive at the time of the referral which I really appreciated. She personally called us before we traveled and after we returned which I also really appreciated!! I also go so much help, support and information from the folks at the “unofficial” CHI Yahoo Group. It was amazing!! Ethiopia staff at the Thomas Center was outstanding!”
– Susan, adopted from Ethiopia
“CHI is an amazing, professional, above-board, supportive agency. CHI does an exceptionally good job of advocating for the children entrusted to the agency.”
– Kelly, adopted from China
“Thank you for the great assistance. We were so impressed with the staff in Ethiopia. Abdissa is an amazing man! Our children love him and so do we. We will forever be grateful for his assistance!”
– Leon and Tina, adopted from Ethiopia
“Our neighbors recommended you very highly and after speaking with Kathy on the phone I felt very excited and comfortable with the agency.”
– Catherine, adopted from Guatemala
“Stefani and her crew are amazing. They really know the program and how to explain the process to families. There is no better advocate for special needs children than Stefani. She is a wonderful cheerleader and it’s nice to know she lives the day to day stuff with her own family.”
– Mike and Ami, adopted from China
“Our overseas travel coordinator, Michele Jordan was wonderful. She is the reason our adoption went so smoothly.”
– Clive and Dawn, adopted from Ethiopia
“I completely enjoyed working with and getting to know Anne Buckley-Jones. She always made herself available to us for questions and concerns we had all through the process. She was definitely a highlight in working with CHI. Jessica was also a pleasure to work with.”
– Kelli, adopted from Ethiopia
“Small agency and Stefani made us feel very welcomed and that we would be taken care of.”
– Tina, adopted from China
“I had heard great things from some other people. Everyone that I spoke to was very professional and honest. I really liked being told the truth up front about all that international adoption entails.”
– Chris and Darcy, adopted from Guatemala
