Kyle and Marcy Lindenmuth met at the University of Maryland when Marcy was studying the Bible. Kyle had become a disciple in 1991 while attending NC State. They dated for a year and were married in August 1995. Early in their marriage they had the privilege of being close to a family who had adopted a child from China.
This implanted in them the same desire. So from the beginning they had the desire not only to have children, but also to adopt.
In 1997, they moved to Philadelphia and began working for HOPE worldwide as the Program Directors for the HOPE Youth Corps. From 1997 until 2003, they enjoyed traveling all over the world helping teens and campus students “live like Jesus” for two weeks at a time. This helped broaden their perspectives and helped them to see the great needs of orphans around the world.
In 2000, their son Jack was born in Philadelphia. When Jack was a mere 6 months old, he got the opportunity to be in a commercial that was aired nationally. The money made from the commercial enabled the Lindenmuths to begin the adoption process much earlier than they had originally planned. They were also blessed to receive financial assistance from the Philadelphia Church’s adoption fund and even their health Insurance company kicked in some. Despite the earlier start, it still took almost 2 years before they were matched with a child in China. In March 2003, they received their first photo of Yi Hong Bin, (Evie’s Chinese name), but they weren’t able to travel to get her until July of that year because of the SARS outbreak. They were one of the first groups to travel to China once the ban was lifted. Evelyn Bin Yi was 14 months old when they got to China. They “officially” adopted Evie on July 7, 2003. This was her “gotcha day”!
Adoption is a process and rarely happens over night. After the decision is made, the hard part begins. Marcy says the first challenge was the paperwork. She was surprised by all the documentation needed. It took her six months to get all the paperwork done! With that out of the way, Kyle and Marcy contemplated how their son, Jack would adapt to having a new sibling in the home. They began to share with Jack that they would be going to China to get a daughter and how she would be part of their family and his little sister. Jack quickly warmed up to the possibilities and even began to share with others that he would soon be getting a Chinese sister. And true to form, from the moment she arrived, Jack has been an amazing big brother, loving and caring for his younger sister.
Evie is so ingrained in the Lindenmuth family that they forget that she is Chinese and adopted until someone brings it up. Evie turns ten in a few months and she is a Lindenmuth through and through. In fact it amazes their extended family how much Evie and Marcy are alike in temperament and actions. They are living examples of the nature vs. nurture debate.
Editors Note: We are excited about the response to this new series on Disciples Today regarding adoption. We tell stories of disciples who have adopted a child and the impact it had on their family and community. Do you have a good news adoption story to share? Download the Adoption_Story _form >>>, tell your story and submit it to Toney Mulhollan at toneyipibooks@mac.com. This is a great way to share your story and encourage more and more disciples to fulfill James 1:27: “to look after orphans and widows in their distress”
Kyle and Marcy are so grateful to be a part of the church that encourages people to love and care for orphans. The decision is not easy and isn’t for everyone, but the need for loving homes for countless orphans is so needed. Marcy says the important thing is to do your research, be realistic, but also to be faithful. She says be prepared to be patient, get lots of advice, and work with God to lead you in the right direction.
If you want to know more about their adoption experience contact them at m.lindenmuth@comcast.net.
The Lindenmuths: Kyle, Marcy, Jack and Evelyn Bin Yi (in front)
Click here >>> to see more articles in this adoption series.
