Andres and Rachel Lara
We have always felt a deep calling to adopt. Even on our first date, we talked about what our ideal family would be like—and the term adoption arose in our conversation.

In our third year of marriage (2014), we took the plunge to begin the foster-to-adopt journey.  After a miscarriage, our miracle boy, Luca, was born in July 2018!


During the lockdown in 2020, we felt God stirring our hearts again toward adoption. We took our next step in the process—and desired to adopt from a South American country since Andres is from Ecuador. In 2022, Ecuador opened up a program, and we eagerly began the paperwork and education. We became home study approved in Summer 2023!

However, in late 2023, through Andres’ family, we experienced their heartbreak as the level of violence and civil unrest increased in Ecuador. We knew that the doors were shutting, and our hearts were crushed as our dreams of adopting from Ecuador dwindled away. 

After much prayer, in February of this year, we began the process of pursuing a child(ren) from a country in Eastern Europe. We know there has been increased movement in this particular program, as the need for adoptive parents is great.

We have been actively fundraising since the beginning of 2022. We have taken on extra side jobs to raise funds, and due to these drastic changes in not only switching countries but also shifting agencies… the sacrifice has been felt. This is when we were introduced to Katelyn’s Fund. Our agency encouraged us to complete a grant application, and little did we know, a simple application turned into words of life spoken over our family, a financial grant and a support team holding up our arms in faith. We were overwhelmed to have a time of prayer with some of Katelyn’s Fund team, and stepped away from that moment feeling encouraged for the journey ahead. Katelyn’s Fund was used by God– to come in at the right time and be the little boost that we needed, not only financially but spiritually! Receiving this grant and the prayers from Sheila and Kyle was like taking a big drink of fresh water we didn’t even know we needed at the moment. We understand the road ahead is unknown… and having a support team of prayer around us is essential for the journey. We are incredibly grateful for the ministry of Kateyln’s Fund. 

When it comes to the financial aspect of adopting, God has been teaching us that He is our provider. And through the many hurdles and barriers to adoption, we are continually reminded that GOD IS IN THE DETAILS, and HE GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO REMIND US THAT IN HIS HOUSE ARE MANY ROOMS, THAT HE IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR US… so all of our efforts in this journey of bringing home our children is not in vain! We’ve been on this journey for more than ten years, and we know that nothing is too hard for our God!