Elizabeth, an orphaned teenager living in a group home in Colombia, South America, is one step closer to being adopted by Fannin County residents Steve and Nikki Shamblin.
It all started Christmas two years ago when the Shamblins hosted Elizabeth in their home through a program with their adoption agency, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, coordinates over the holidays. By all accounts the family and the young girl had a great time and the Shamblins decided to pursue adoption.
According to Nikki Shamblin, they have completed their dossier which consists of all their paperwork, a home study and everything about their family.
Shamblin said they recently received an email saying the Colombian case worker and agency have offered to lower their fees by 50%. “Now our referral fee is $8,000!” she said. “We were a bit short on what we expected the referral fee to be, but that discount was a blessing. That just doesn’t happen! Totally the Lord!”
Initially, the total anticipated adoption cost was $15,000, however, the referral fee is $3,000 more than was anticipated, according to Shamblin. So, now the amount needed, not counting travel fees, is $18,000.
The funds raised so far is $10,000. Shamblin said, “Travel fees cannot be predicted yet because flight costs vary so much and we do not know where we will be staying.”
Currently, the Shamblins are waiting for the go from Colombian adoption officials. “It will take about two to four weeks for all of the approvals, and then we should be able to start getting ready for travel to go get her,” she said.
The couple will have to stay in Colombia two to three weeks to complete the process and sign the adoption papers. “We’re anxious to get her,” Shamblin said.
Anyone interested in helping the Shamblins adopt Elizabeth is asked to please call Mountain Area Christian Academy at 706-374-6222 or email nshamblin@macalions.org.