More thank 375 people participated in the 2nd Annual RACE for the Orphans on May 10, 2014 to help bring children home to the Ausbun and Karschner families. Thank you for an amazing day!
5K RACE Winners
John Davis 18:47
Anna Haydon 21:40
The Ausbun Family
Moreland, GA
During their third pregnancy, Daniel & Sherri Ausbun discovered at ten weeks that they had lost one of their twins. This vanishing twin syndrome was devastating, as they had always wanted four children (they had two biological children at the time). At their ultrasound for the existing twin, the doctors discovered he was missing his stomach. God led them to the Bible verse in James 5:14, “Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.” They felt God leading them to have a prayer service for their child the day before their final ultrasound. They held a prayer service on Wednesday and on Thursday they went to the doctor, prayerful and hoping that God had answered their prayers. At the appointment, the doctor visualized their son’s stomach immediately on the ultrasound! Their son was born healthy and they named him Benjamin as a reminder that he would be their youngest child to honor their promise to God to not have additional biological children but open their hearts to adoption.
About two months after Benjamin’s birth, Daniel and Sherri both felt God leading them towards adoption, specifically a little girl from China. They attended their first informational meeting with Lifeline Children’s Services and decided to adopt in obedience to God’s will. Just as God has adopted them into His family, He is calling them to adopt into their family.
When Daniel and Sherri initially approached each other about adoption, they both felt committed to the country of China. There is a great need for adoption everywhere, but God led them to this specific country because they knew He already had a child picked out for them, they just didn’t know her yet.
Before the Ausbun’s information was put into China’s database, one of their adoption coordinators contacted them about a potential child she thought would be a good match for their family. When they started to review this little girl’s file, they were amazed because this little girl was five days younger than their son Benjamin. It was like she was Benjamin’s lost twin! God has confirmed again and again this is their daughter and they have named her Esther Miao. In the Old Testament, Esther was brave, had courage, and was strong. All of these qualities their daughter must also have as she has suffered so much loss from such a young age. The Ausbun family hopes to travel to China this summer to get their daughter and complete their family as they follow God’s will for their lives.
The Karschner Family
Sharpsburg, GA
The Karschner’s story begins in 2011 when Drew and Ashley decided it was time to start their family. They had been happily married for almost 5 years and had settled in Georgia after the “adventuresome” years of new jobs, exciting travel and all the ambitions of being newlyweds. Drew had finished his Masters Degree, they owned a beautiful home, and both had wonderful jobs. “What perfect timing,” they thought to themselves.
After a year of trying to conceive and no baby, Ashley started questioning God about adoption. Something kept tugging at her heart, telling her to investigate. Drew and Ashley had discussed adoption many times, always believing that they would adopt after having a few biological children first.
Another 9 months slipped by, and at this point, Ashley had some testing completed by her doctor. There seemed to be no answer as to why the infertility. Drew and Ashley had discussed that they both were uncomfortable with fertility treatments and the money it involved, so they decided to leave their bodies in God’s capable hands and pursue adoption. At about this same time, Drew’s co-worker invited them to Lifeline Children’s Services annual fundraiser. The heart of the organization was Christ and the organization’s mission was truly in the best interest of the children. Drew and Ashley had tears in their eyes as they saw so many families loving on their precious children. The program closed with many of the children singing in an international choir. Drew and Ashley went home and applied to Lifeline that night.
In March of 2013, Drew and Ashley were accepted by Lifeline and enrolled in the Ethiopia program in pursuit of their son. As of December 2013 they completed their immigration paperwork and finalized their dossier (the final packet of paperwork that goes to the Ethiopian government). Now they are waiting and can’t wait until their son is home.
God has taught Drew and Ashley so much, and their journey is only beginning! They cannot wait to see what God decides to do with their growing family. They pray for their son every day…for his safety, his future wife, and his precious heart.
