More than 450 people ran and walked on May 9, 2015 at the 3rd Annual RACE for the Orphans to help bring children home to the Jordan and Williams families. Thank you for an amazing day!
5K RACE Winners
The Jordan Family
Newnan, GA
Mark and Tiffany Jordan live in Newnan where Mark serves as pastor of Cokes Chapel United Methodist Church. Their son, Ethan, was born in 2002. When infertility became a reality for Mark and Tiffany, the couple decided to pursue the possibility of adoption…something they’ve both had a heart for since their first date 22 years ago. Despite the long and winding road that has led them to this point, Mark and Tiffany have felt the hand of God firmly upon them in this journey.
In the beginning, the Jordan’s adoption journey was almost as difficult as the biological attempts to expand their family. After many conversations with families, Mark and Tiffany were chosen by one to adopt their new son and began making legal preparations to bring him home. After the child was born, however, the family decided to keep the baby. At that point, Mark and Tiffany needed time to heal.
In December 2013, the Lord began setting events in motion that would forever change their lives. Mark was cleaning the house in preparation for a family Christmas gathering when he felt God telling him that adoption would be a huge part of their next year. He spent time in discernment and prayer about this before talking with Tiffany. Then, while Mark and Tiffany were on their way out of town for a quick getaway, Tiffany mentioned to Mark that she felt God was calling them to adopt, and she felt a particular burden for China. Upon returning home, they began exploring potential agencies with which to work and found a natural fit with Lifeline Children’s Services. They applied and were accepted into the China program in February 2014.
The next several months were marked with meetings, writing, studying, and completing the requirements for adoption. There were inevitable delays along the way that began leaving them feeling unsettled. Then things really began to move according to God’s timing.
It was the Friday before Thanksgiving and Mark felt a powerful call by God, which he explains by saying, “It was just like being a child and having my dad place his hand on my shoulder and firmly saying, ‘son, we need to talk.’” “I spent about 30-45 minutes in prayer, not asking for a sign or miracle, but asking for peace,” Mark recounts. Within a few minutes, their Lifeline case worker called to tell them that she was in a meeting looking over files of children who were just coming into an orphanage partnership with Lifeline, and as she saw the face of this one little girl, she saw her with our family. Mark and Tiffany decided to pursue adopting this girl, and their letter of preliminary acceptance to adopt her was prepared in China on Christmas Day, 2014. In one year their journey had come full circle! The Jordans are eagerly awaiting news to travel to China to be united with their daughter, who they have given the name Mia Noelle. They are extremely excited about this humbling opportunity, and amazed by God’s divine providence along the way. With great anticipation, they lace up their shoes to run these ‘Miles for Mia’ until the time comes when they are able to bring her home to her forever family.
The Williams Family
Fayetteville, GA
Wade and Brooke Williams have been married for 13 years and live in Fayetteville, GA. They are very involved at Gospel Community Church and also launched a non-profit organization that helps homeless teenagers. Wade and Brooke’s desire to become parents coupled with their infertility led them to their adoption story. They found as they were open with their lives, in both the victories and the struggles, God used that to encourage others around them. On February 5, 2015, their prayer for a child was answered as little Olive Elise was born into their family. The Williams are now working to finalize the domestic adoption of their brand new baby girl and are excited to partner with RACE for the Orphans.
