No longer a new member of the Compassionate Care Board, Michelle Cook joined the team in April of 2009. She resides in Princeton Indiana with her husband and son. Michelle is the Administrative Assistant at the First General Baptist Church in Princeton and a member of the Hillside United Methodist Church where her husband Brian is Assistant Pastor. Their son Caleb is eleven years old and in 6^th grade. Michelle and Brian have been married for 22 years.

Michelle and Brian have a love and passion for Compassionate Care. Eleven and a half years ago they adopted their son Caleb through this Agency. They tried for several years seeing doctors and going to Infertility Specialists trying to have children of their own. Ready to give up, God sent them to Compassionate Care where they found caring and supporting staff willing to help them through their difficult time. Michelle states, “Without the love and support of our Savior, family, friends, and Compassionate Care, we would not have our son today.”

Time outside of work and church includes being a soccer mom. Michelle also enjoys reading, scrap-booking, and singing. Another aspect to her life is a new family pet, Mocha, a chocolate lab mix. She also enjoys having family night, and date night with husband.

Get to Know Mrs. Kelle….

I am Martha Kelle. I am married to my pastor husband David. We have two grown children and four grandchildren. Together we serve a church in Evansville, Indiana. I teach women’s Bible studies and lead the women’s ministry. I have a background as a Licensed Practical Nurse. My husband and I were missionaries to Honduras for eight years. There we directed a children’s home for abandoned, neglected and abused children. I have seen first hand the need for adoptive families.

Get to know Mrs. Hibbs….

Teresa Hibbs is married to Johnny Hibbs who has been a General Baptist Minister for 42 years. Johnny is the Pastor of  North Friendship General Baptist Church, in Lynnville, Indiana. Teresa loves being a Minister’s wife and teaching Sunday School. Johnny and Teresa  have three children and six grandchildren. Teresa is employed by Oakland City University and works in the Business Office. Johnny and  Teresa  spent some exciting years serving as  missionaries for General Baptist International. Teresa considers it a privilege to serve on the board for Compassionate Care.

Elgibility Requirements

Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

We work with both married couples and singles.  There are few age restrictions other then applicants who are over 50 usually may not be considered for infants but may be considered for toddlers.

Available Children

There are infants and toddlers available for adoption. Both girls and boys  are available, although the timetable for girls is usually a bit longer. Older children, sibling groups and special needs children are available, if requested.

In some of our Russian cities, we receive referrals of waiting children directly from our Russian coordinators.  In other cities we send the dossier and then we receive referrals.  

More than one child can be adopted at the same court hearing, and they do not have to be biological siblings.

Adoption Timetable

The total process from dossier submission until the time prospective parents travel  to adopt their child  averages between 6-10 months.

 Travel Requirements

Both parents must travel.

Travel consist of two  trips.  The first trip is a preview trip to meet your child  and consists of  about 3-4 days.  The second trip is to finalize the adoption and will take place approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the preview trip. The second trip usually lasts 14 to 21 days. (If necessary,  both parents could travel on the second trip for child selection and court, and leave one spouse behind for adoption finalization and immigration processing.)

Our International Facilitator will greet you upon arrival in Russia and  assist you in every step of the international adoption process.

They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanage, scheduling court hearings, and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.

Cost to Adopt from Russia

APPLICATION FEE                                                   $ 300
   Due w/ application, non refundable

COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE           $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date

HOME STUDY                                                           $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)             + mileage
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750 + Mileage due upon completion of home study.

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR FEE $1,000  
   Due when you receive a court date or travel date .

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $ 830
   + $80 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION
   Depending on which state you live in, you may have a
   fee  for document authentication at the Secretary of
   State’s  office in your state.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM  FEE              $18,000  

International fees cover the cost of government and legal  procedures  and paperwork done for you as an adoptive family and for the child  you will adopt.  International fees also cover the work done by the  coordinators, lawyers representatives, and translators in Russia.

TOTAL ADOPTION COST                                      $25,130*

*Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

**You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.

 For more information on Russia’s Society click the link below:

Russia’s Society

Elgibility Requirements

Only those married couples and single women who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

Married Couples and single women over the age of 25 may adopt from Estonia.

There are no stated upper age limits.

Available Children

Children available for adoption are generally over five years old. There are also sibling groups and younger children with special needs available.

Child referrals consist of a medical and picture of the child.

Adoption Timetable

The total process time from dossier submission until the time adoptive parents travel averages ten to twelve  months.  Preliminary travel to meet the child is possible.

Travel Requirements

Unlike adopting from some other foreign countries that require two trips, Estonia adoptions can in most cases be completed in one trip.  However, a  2-3 day preview trip is available and recommended. 

Only one parent, if married, needs to travel to Estonia to adopt a child. 

Escorting  is available.

Stay in Estonia consist of 11 to 14  business days.

Our International Facilitators will greet you upon arrival  in Estonia and assist you in every step of the international adoption process. 

 
They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanages, scheduling court hearings and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.

 Cost to Adopt from Estonia

APPLICATION FEE                                                      $  300
   due w/ submission of application.                

     COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE             $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date

 HOME STUDY                                                               $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)          + mileage
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750 due + mileage upon completion of home study.

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS)   $830 Two Adults ($545 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

 DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION VARIES
   Depending on which state you live in, you may have a fee
   for document authentication at the Secretary of State’s
   office in your state.

 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FEE   $ 10,300
   $1,500 due when dossier is sent for authentication
   $6,800 due when you receive a travel date.

 International fees cover the cost of government and legal procedures and paperwork done for you as an adoptive family and for the child you will adopt.  International fees also cover the work done by the coordinators, representatives, lawyers and translators in Estonia.

TOTAL ADOPITON COST                                      $16,430*

*Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

 **You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.

 For more information on Estonia’s Society click the link below:

Estonia’s Society

Elgibility Requirements

Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

Any persons or families who are : 1)  Biblically Christians,  2) At least 30 years of age  (for a married couple one of them has to be at least 30), Married for five (5) years or more,  Single women who are less than 30 years old, but who have a medical certificate stating that they are medically unable to have children.

You can have no more than four children already in your home.

Available Children

Children 0 to 16 years of age are available for adoption.  It is difficult sometimes to have newborn children available for adoption and we hope adoptive parents understand the many reasons.  One of the reasons is that too many parents want to adopt a newborn and most biological mothers in Haiti want to keep their child until they are very sure that they do not have a way to provide for the needs of that child. Consequently, adoptive parents are encouraged to be more open in accepting children in  the age range of 13 months and above.

  Adoptive parents who insist on having a newborn child which is 0-12 months old at the time of referral will have to pay an additional fee of $2000, because it costs more to care for the newborns, and their waiting period for a referral may be as long as 2-3 months. 

Adoption Timetable

The total process time from dossier submission to the time adoptive parents can travel to bring home their child, averages  eighteen  months.

Referral of a child takes approximately 6 weeks  from  the time of dossier submission. 

Parents will receive a picture and an updated medical report on their child monthly.

Travel Requirements

It is preferred  that all parents come to Haiti to escort their children.  Parents need to be in Haiti for only 3 full working days.  So far, all parents who have went to Haiti have had a very positive experience.  However, in extreme cases,  children may be escorted for an additional fee, for parents who for genuine reasons cannot come to Haiti.

Our International Facilitator will greet you upon arrival in Haiti and  assist you in every step of the international adoption process.

They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanage, scheduling court hearings, and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.

Cost to Adopt from Haiti

APPLICATION FEE                                                   $  300
    Due w/application,  non-refundable                

 COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE           $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date

HOME STUDY                                                               $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)         + mileage  
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750  + mileage due upon completion of home study.

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR FEE  $1,000  
   Due when you receive a court date or travel date .

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $   830
   Two Adults ($670 + $80 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

 DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION/TRANSLATION $   624
   Depending on which state you live in, you may also have
    a fee for document authentication at the Secretary of
    State’s office in your state. 

INTERNATIONAL FACILITATOR FEE             $11,000 
   International fees cover the cost of government and legal procedures  and paperwork done for you as an adoptive family and for the child  you will adopt.  International fees also cover the work done by the  coordinators, lawyers representatives, and translators in Haiti.

Total Adoption Cost                                                $18,754

*Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

 **You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.

For more information about Haiti’s Society click the link below:

Haiti’s Society

Elgibility Requirements

Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

Married couples who are 30-49 years and have been married for at least 2 years (5 years if second marriage), are eligible to adopt Chinese infants.  There are also requirements placed on the adoptive parents regarding height, weight, financial assets, education, and number of children living in the home.

Family must show a positive net worth of at least $80,000.  There must also be an income earning of at least $10,000 per person in the household, including the adopted child. 

Please call us for further information on health requirements

Available Children

Healthy children, mostly girls, from six months up are available for adoption.  Older boys are available as well.  Most of the children were found after being abandoned, so there is little to no information on their birth families.

Most children from China are very healthy, although some minor developmental delays can be expected.

Adoption Timetable

The waiting period is unpredictable, but child referral is currently 3 years after the Chinese authorities receive the clients dossier.  Pictures and health reports help you with your decision to accept a child.  Clients usually travel to China approximately six to eight weeks after
 acceptance of the child.

Travel Requirements

Unlike adopting from some other foreign countries that require two trips, China adoption is completed in one trip.  One or both parents may travel to China to complete their adoption.  Parents usually travel in a group with 3-8 other families and stay in China for 12 to 14 days.

Our International Facilitators will greet you upon arrival  in China and assist you in every step of the international adoption process. 

They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanages, scheduling court hearings and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.

 Cost to Adopt from China

APPLICATION FEE                                                   $   300      
    Due w/application, non refundable                 

                                                              
COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE           $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date

HOME STUDY                                                             $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)        + mileage
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750 due upon completion of home study.

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR FEE $1,000  
   Due when you receive a court date or travel date

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $  830
   Two Adults ($545 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

 DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION/TRANSLATION $1,450
   Due with submission of dossier
   (Depending on which state you live in, you may have a
   fee  for document authentication at the Secretary of
   State’s    office in your state.)

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM  FEE                 $ 8,500
   $2,500 due when dossier is sent for authentication
   $6,000 due when you receive a travel date.

   International  fees cover the cost of government and legal
   procedures and paperwork done for you as an adoptive family
   and for  the child you will adopt.  International fees also cover the
   work done by the coordinators, representatives, lawyers and
   translators in China.

TOTAL ADOPTION COST                                         $17,080

*Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

**You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.

 For more information on China’s Society click the link below:

China’s Society

                                                                  

Elgibility Requirements

Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

Married couples and single women 25 years of age and older  can adopt from Ukraine. There are no stated upper age limits, but parents must be at least 15 years older than the adopted child. No other restrictions apply.

Available Children

Children 14 months to 15 years of age are available for adoption. (According to Ukrainian law, a child must be at least 14 months old before international adoption is allowed). 

Occasionally sibling groups are available. Special needs children younger than 14 months are also available for adoption.

The children available for international adoption in Ukraine live in orphanages

No pre-selection of children is allowed; matching is done in-country.  Once your dossier is accepted and approved by Ukraine, you will then  travel to Ukraine for the selection of your child.

Adoption Timetable

Although this schedule is subject to change,  total process time from dossier submission  to  the time adoptive parents can travel  to bring home their child averages three  to six months.  

Travel Requirements

Depending on how quickly you select your child, your stay in Ukraine can be approximately 21-24 days.  Presumably both parents want to share in the selection of the child, and both parents must be present in the court hearing.

Both parents must travel.

If necessary, both parents could travel for child selection and court, and leave one spouse behind for adoption finalization and immigration processing.

Cost to Adopt from Ukraine

APPLICATION FEE                                                   $ 300
    Due w/application,  non-refundable                

                                                                                 
COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE           $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date

HOME STUDY                                                               $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)               + Mileage  
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750 + Mileage due upon completion of home study

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR FEE $1,000  
   Due when you receive a court date or travel date .

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $ 830
   Two Adults ($545 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION
   Depending on which state you live in, you may have a fee
   for document authentication at the Secretary of State’s
   office in your state.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM  FEE $17,500
   International fees cover the cost of government and legal
   procedures  and paperwork done for you as an adoptive
   family and for the child  you will adopt.  International fees
   also cover the work done by the  coordinators, lawyers
   representatives, and translators in Ukraine. 

Total Adoption Cost                                                 $24,630*

*The Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

**You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.

Our International Facilitator will greet you upon arrival in Ukraine and  assist you in every step of the international adoption process.

They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanage, scheduling court hearings, and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.

For information about Ukraine’s Society click the link below:

Ukraine’s Society

 Elgibity Requirements

Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.

Both single women and married couples may adopt. Officially, prospective adoptive parents must be between 25 and 40.  However, the Ministry of Family has been very flexible on the age requirement on a case-by-case basis

Available Children

Healthy infants, toddlers, and older children are available.

Special Needs Children are available.

Nicaraguan  children usually have full or part Mayan Indian ethnicity with varied skin tones. 

Referrals consist of a medical and a picture.

Adoptable Timetable 

Referrals are made approximately two  months after dossier submission.

 Parents may  request the gender of the child they wish to adopt. 

Adoption timetable is 10 to 12 months.

Travel Requirements 

Both Parents must travel.

Two trips required. 

First trip of 4 days is  approximately 6 months after
    acceptance of  a referral.
   
Second trip of 2 1/2 weeks is approximately 6 months after
   first trip.   

If necessary, both parents could travel on the second trip
   for the court, date  and leave one spouse behind for
    adoption finalization and immigration processing.

Nicaragua Adoption Fees

APPLICATION FEE                                                     $  300
    Due w/application, non refundable

COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE             $3,500
    $1,750 due with submission of dossier.
    $1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date  

HOME STUDY                                                               $1,500 
    (If prepared by Compassionate Care)                + mileage
    $ 750 due upon first home study visit.                            
    $ 750 due upon completion of home study.  

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION     $  150
     (If prepared by Compassionate Care

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS)     $  830
   Two Adults ($670 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).

DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION                    Varies
   Due with submission of dossier
   (Depending on which state you live in, you may have a fee
   for document authentication at the Secretary of State’s
   office in your state.) 

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM  FEE    $10,000
    For In-Country Facilitator Services, Translation, Etc. 

TOTAL ADOPTION FEES                                            $16,280

*Above fees do not include travel,  and in-country living expenses.

**You will  also need to purchase a  one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare. 

***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change without notice.

Our Facilitator in Nicaragua will greet you upon arrival in Nicaragua and assist you in every step of the international adoption process. 

Nicaragua’s Society