Burch Family, Texas

I became a client with AGCI with the intent to adopt a non-special needs, as-young-as-possible baby girl from China. At the same time I signed the initial contracts and began the home study, I began to think about, pray about, and research special needs adoptions. The waiting times for China adoptions were increasing, and I was surprised to find that my idea of "special needs" was very different from China's. So many of the children had "needs" that were minor, correctable, or just plain uncomplicated. Much to even my own surprise, I ended up choosing to adopt a 2-year old with a congenital heart defect. I am so glad that God's ways are higher than our ways. I would never have known to go looking for a toddler labeled as "special needs," but it was a perfect fit. As my friend tells me, "she was special, and you needed her." So true.

AGCI partnered with me every step of the way. My local (out of state) home study agency told me that AGCI was the best China agency they had ever worked with as far as the level of communication and coordination about the expectations and requirements for the home study. Because of that level of coordination, my home study was completed and approved with a few short weeks. With regard to my decision to switch from the non-special needs to the special needs program, AGCI never pressured me or even encouraged me to choose one program over another. When I was offered my daughter's referral, I knew that I had the absolute freedom and responsibility to say yes or no according to my conscience and the prompting of the Lord. I have heard other people say that their agencies won't return phone calls or e-mails. That never once happened to me with AGCI. The agency sets up a regular communications schedule and keeps it. Even when the agency had news I didn't want to hear ("I am sorry, your travel approval didn't come today"), I received prompt and compassionate communications. My in-country coordinator was wonderful; in fact, we still communicate via e-mail from time to time. I would not hesitate to use AGCI for a future adoption.