Nightlight’s most expensive international program is $28,000 in program fees. Including all travel expenses and USCIS expenses, the adoption could cost as much as $49,000. For a domestic program through Nightlight, you would pay only $24,000 in program fees.
In order to receive this child into your home, here is what you will need to pay for:
- You will apply with US Immigration for approval to adopt (Building Permit: The salesman told me that the company would take care of all the steps related to the building permit and the permit would be about $700 which is included in the estimate of the room.) USCIS charges families $775 to process your application plus $85 for fingerprinting for each adult member of the household. Agencies charge a fee to evaluate the safety of your family and complete a home study which is submitted with your application, essentially “taking care of” the building permit process”.
- You are hiring specialized workers through your agency, such as, licensed therapists, social workers, and other social services degrees to conduct home studies, evaluate children’s files, and match families with children.
- The agency must insure that the file of the child has been fully vetted and there are no other options for this child, such as, family members who could care for him. (Quality Materials and oversight)
In addition, the agency doing the work would need to cover the cost of:
- liability insurance
- accreditation costs.
- the adoption must meet all regulation requirements (building codes) and pass a “final inspection” when you apply for your child’s US visa.
- your agency should be available for you and your child for life. The Adoption happens in an event, but a person’s adoption journey lasts a lifetime. If at any point in the future, you need help, we are here for you. Is that similar to a lifetime warranty? I’ll let you be the judge.
As I sat and considered the amount of money need to add a room to my home, I realized that while I certainly would enjoy this room, it doesn’t even compare to the joy and reward of redeeming an orphan.
What is the cost of redemption? Christ shed his blood on the cross so that you and I could be redeemed. He paid it all! Redemption is costly, and it is certainly more valuable than a room added on to my house.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18