Real Stories. Real Children.
Real Impact.

My story begins at Door of Hope – I was the very first baby brought into the home. Though I don’t remember those early days, I’ve always carried a deep connection to this incredible place that gave me a second chance at life. It means the world to now share a bit of my journey and celebrate how far things have come.

I was adopted into a loving family and grew up surrounded by music and encouragement. That early support led me to pursue my passion for music more seriously. I earned my undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies from East Carolina University and recently completed my Master’s in Music Industry and Business from West Virginia University. Music has always been a constant in my life—both as a form of expression and a way to connect with others.

In September 2024, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where I now teach voice and piano privately. I love helping students grow in confidence and creativity, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them discover their own voices – both musically and personally.

This past March, right around my birthday, my boyfriend of six years proposed to me in New York City. It was a beautiful and unforgettable moment, and we’re now starting to plan our wedding! My parents recently moved just outside of Charlotte, NC, and are happily enjoying retired life—we’re all entering exciting new chapters.

Door of Hope will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where my story started, and I’m forever grateful for the love and care that set the foundation for the life I’m living today. One of my favorite reminders is: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Nathan was found by police on the side of the road. He was sick with severe sunburn and rashes on his skin. He was most likely about 2–3 months old at the time and suffered from tremors as a result of the noisy trucks that would thunder past him on the roadside. He was brought to Door of Hope with no name, no age and nothing to identify him.

Thomas was brought to us by his mother. During her pregnancy, she chose Door of Hope as the place she wanted to bring her child after he was born. She said: “If I keep him, I would have no life and neither would he.” She wanted a good home and a future for him.

After many months growing up with us at Door of Hope, God brought forward a pastor and his wonderful family to adopt these precious two boys. They now have another brother, five sisters and two godly, loving parents!

Nathan plays soccer and baseball. He is also a lifeguard. He has plenty of friends and loves church. He loves his forever family deeply. He once told them, “I saw Jesus in you when you adopted me.” Thomas makes friends easier than most. He is warm and likeable and loves people. He plays American football.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Adoption was never for us. Why would it be? We already had two beautiful children. But God had a different plan, and slowly He began planting the seed of thought into our minds. Through a friend of ours, we were introduced to Door of Hope. He advised us to plan a visit to the home. So, after spending a morning with the toddlers at the Berea home, we knew that God had indeed called us to adoption, and more specifically, adoption from Door of Hope.

With each new child that Door of Hope received, we wondered if they could be ours. In the spring, as new life began, a bunch of beautiful little girls started arriving, and we just knew our baby girl had been born. As the months passed by and we spent many hours in preparation for our adoption, Door of Hope was busy raising our beautiful girl. The day finally arrived. We received that call. Our little girl was coming home.

But our introduction was not to be the joyous occasion that it usually is for a forever family. Instead, our introduction was somewhat traumatic. As I took our daughter from her birth mother, there was a display of the two mothers’ love. I loved her so much, even though I hadn’t even met her, and her birth mother loved her so much that she had to relinquish her. Rebecca sensed this struggle and started to cry.

Once home, when the crying continued, I cried to God asking him to give me the strength, as I wasn’t sure we were meant for adoption.Rebecca celebrated her 1st birthday amongst the aunties and babies of Baby House 3 at Door of Hope.

Eleven years later, Rebecca is a lively little girl who loves sports and connecting with her friends. Even though school can sometimes be a little challenging for her, she gets to go to school with her big sister. Her big brother is very protective of her, and they have great fun together playing sports.
We will continue to support Door of Hope in everything they do and make as many people as possible aware of the excellent work being done. God’s glory shines in the lives of those children, and we can only sit back and wait to see what excellent plans God has for each one of them.

Andrew, Kerryn, Matthew & Nicole – forever family to RebeccaOnce again, our God showed us his love and his plan as Rebecca’s cries quickly turned to laughter, surrounded by her new forever brother and sister. Fast forward to today, our house is filled with the blessings of this little girl. She has worked her way into the hearts of our families and friends as well as the community. We feel blesses to be her parents as we get to demonstrate Gods love to her just as God loves us.

Our journey to parenthood began in 2008. From early on, we knew adoption was the path we wanted to follow. South Africa drew our hearts immediately. Not only because of the rich culture and our personal connection with the country, but especially because of the way adoptions are approached there, with prayer, faith, and deep care. That touched us deeply, and with full conviction, we chose South Africa.

In 2014, we held our daughter in our arms for the very first time. She was staying in one of the baby houses of Door of Hope in Johannesburg. The handover was incredibly loving and gentle. From the very first moment, we felt that Door of Hope is truly a place of warmth and hope. The love and dedication of the aunties moved us deeply. They knew every child, and it was clear that our daughter had been cherished. Door of Hope was a safe haven for her, until we could bring her home.

We are thankful. For our children. For South Africa. And above all, for the work that Door of Hope continues to do, day after day, child after child. We thank all the aunties, especially Marleen and Nadene, for all the love and care they give to the children. They are truly a Door of Hope. Most of all, we thank God for crossing our path twice with Door of Hope, so that we could welcome two wonderful children into our family and offer them a future filled with love, hope, and purpose.

Six years later, in 2020, we were able to collect our son, after another long period of waiting. The world was in turmoil, and COVID-19 disrupted many plans. We travelled to South Africa just in time, right before the country went into lockdown. What followed were tense and uncertain weeks, unsure whether we would even be able to meet our second child. But then came that precious moment, when we were finally able to embrace our son for the first time. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the care and dedication of Door of Hope. Even in the midst of global uncertainty, they continued their work with endless love, structure, and prayer.

Since then, we celebrate Embrace Day every year, the day we first held our children in our arms. These are days of wonder, gratitude, and deep connection with South Africa. In 2022, we returned to South Africa. We visited the Door of Hope homes where our children had once stayed and saw again the people who had cared so deeply for our children in their early days. To our great surprise, some of the aunties still remembered our daughter, even after eight years! It was an emotional moment, full of encouragement and blessing. It reminded us how powerful and lasting loving care can be, even in the earliest years of a child’s life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Dutch Family