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Tami never wanted to drive a mini-van! Tami’s parents drove a mini-van back in the late 80’s that she used when learning to drive and she vowed to never drive a mini-van…but love changes everything!...

As we began our married life together in June 2001, we had the possibility of adoption in the back of our minds, depending on how our fertility and pregnancies went. Drew grew up in South Dakota with 5 adopted relatives, and was particularly close to his adopted cousin; so we were open to it, as an option, if we couldn’t have biological kids.

We had no troubles with fertility and, through uncomplicated pregnancies, gave birth to three delightful sons: Mason, born June 2006, Kase, born April 2008, and Asher, born June 2010. They are maturing into smart, considerate, well-mannered, sweet boys—the perfect Christmas card! Drew and Tami both came from families with four kids, and during pre-marriage counseling we discussed having 3 or 4 children. After Asher was born, Tami thought that life with three boys (amigos, musketeers, stooges) would be more than enough to keep us busy, but as the boys grew and our youngest went to preschool, God started working on her heart.

During the school year of 2014-15, Tami had 6 precious foster or adopted students in her first grade classroom. What are the chances of that? She began thinking more about the possibility of adopting, wondering how many children are out there that need a loving home and feeling like there was something missing in our family. We have a dining room table that seats 6 (and extends to have seating for 8) and we only use 5 chairs. When the boys move into their bedroom upstairs, what will we do with their old bedroom? She began noticing large families, families with adopted or foster children and interracial families around town. When visiting her very dear 87 year old Grandma who raised 3 boys and then 3 girls, she also heard (more than once), “Tami, now you need your three girls!”

Each summer in August, we attend the Global Leadership Summit at Cornwall Church. In 2016 Tami heard God’s message loud and clear to “enlarge her vision” and take a risk, to step out of our comfort zone—to use our gifts and talents we have been given and use every breath of life to make a difference in the world around us. Raising three boys was getting pretty comfortable and it was time to step out of that comfy groove and start something new!

After the conference, we began praying and talking together more seriously about how adoption would change our family. If we adopted, how many children would we adopt? Would we adopt boys or girls? What ages? Where from? We noticed what a strong bond our three boys have and that bringing a girl into the family might be an easier transition for them. We also considered what it would be like for her to be the only girl and the only adopted child in the family so we decided that, Lord-willing, we will continue to adopt 1 or 2 more girls! (Grandma, we could end up with three girls like you!) We did not want to disrupt the boys’ birth order, so we decided the child would need to be younger than our youngest biological son, Asher. Since he is now 7, we decided adopting a toddler or preschool-age girl would fit our family best. We knew a few families who adopted sweet little girls from China and, since we were not looking to adopt an infant, China sounded like a good fit (plus it was what Tami had always pictured in her mind when she thought about adoption). We are both teachers with training and experience working with English Language Learners and students with special needs and felt like we would be maximizing our gifts and talents and adding so much depth to our family by adopting a girl from China with special needs.    

So, in November 2016, we bought a min-van! Our hearts are filled with excitement and anticipation as, with the Lord behind the wheel, we travel down the road of our adoption journey!            

We are beyond excited and are doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful 3 year old girl into our home. As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign, because, as it may surprise you to hear, adoption related costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more.  We would love for you to join us in this process and beyond, as our family grows.


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Field Partner

AdoptTogether 0
Springboro, OH, US
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This Fundraiser has ended and is no longer accepting funding.

Fundraiser Organizer

Drew Namminga
Lynden, WA, US

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Ended - December 31, 2099
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Namminga Family Adoption

by Drew Namminga 1 Lives Impacted

Tami never wanted to drive a mini-van! Tami’s parents drove a mini-van back in the late 80’s that she used when learning to drive and she vowed t...

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