The path to adoption can have many obstacles and unexpected detours. For Shannon and Janella Van Zee this was especially true. Shannon became a disciple in Kansas City and Janella became a follower of Christ while living in Houston, Texas.
Profiles in Faith: Changing the World Through Adoption
They met in Los Angeles, lived in St. Louis and now reside in El Paso, Texas. They worked for a period of time in full-time ministry, and now Janella is a stay-at-home mom, and Shannon is a physical therapist.Their adoption story began just a few months into their marriage. Shannon became ill and was eventually diagnosed with leukemia. After successful, but intense chemotherapy and radiation, they had to face the reality that they would not be able to conceive a child of their own.
Through the tears, they believed that God would make a way for them to be parents and they began to contemplate adoption. They relocated to Janella’s hometown, El Paso, Texas, and God blessed them with good paying jobs. They earnestly saved and it was not long before they moved into a new home with the anticipation of bringing home a little girl from China. They selected Hope for Children as their adoption agency and began assembling the adoption dossier. After almost a year, the paperwork was sent to China and they received an official log-in date with the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). They were ecstatic! However the joy quickly evaporated as they were were notified that the wait time for adopting a healthy child from China has been extended from two years to four years by the Chinese government. They were told that if they wanted to switch, a special needs adoption would be much quicker but they felt God was leading them to stay in the healthy child program so they began the long four-year countdown.
It was mind-boggling to think that their future daughter was not even born yet! A few months later, they were shaken to learn that Hope for Children would be closing its doors due to economic conditions and were doubly shaken when they learned that the local El Paso agency which did their home study report was also closing! What would they do to continue the adoption process? Would this set them back and cause more delays? Hope for Children set them up with a reputable agency and after several nervous phone calls, they found a case worker in Ft. Worth who was willing to fly to El Paso to do home study updates as needed. Everything was set again and they continued to wait for a daughter. When the CCAA finally reviewed the Van Zee’s dossier, they were told they were rejected from the healthy child program due to Shannon’s cancer history. They were devastated. There would be no appealing to the CCAA to change its decision, but as consolation, the CCAA said they could switch to the special needs program. Janella says that doubts began to surface and they wondered whether it was God’s will for them to adopt.
After prayer and some research, they chose to move forward with the cleft lip/palate special needs program. They trusted that God didn’t want them to give up and that he would provide the finances to care for a special needs child. They had full faith that God had a special child in mind for them to care for. Switching to the special needs program meant a baby daughter could feasibly come home within the end of that year—in the two years they originally hoped for!
They quickly updated their dossier paperwork and home study report and were soon matched to a beautiful 18-month old toddler. Their hearts melted as they saw their daughter’s photos and looked into her eyes. This was the baby that God had planned for them all along! With eagerness and excitement to bring a daughter home, they submitted a letter of intent to the CCAA, but once again they faced the stumbling block of Shannon’s cancer history. Would a daughter slip through their fingers again? Fortunately the new adoption agency had a special liaison in China who was advocating for their case in person to the CCAA directors.
After several tense and prayerful weeks, they finally received authorization from the CCAA to pick up their new daughter, whom they would name, Daniella. Most adoption stories will have its ups and downs, but the Van Zees believed that they could clearly see that God’s grace and sovereignty was directing everything in the entire process. John 14:18, helped them to persevere: “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” Knowing God’s heart to adopt them into his spiritual family helped Shannon and Janella to keep going through every obstacle and challenge, until the were able to bring Daniella into their family, and into the family of God. Janella encourages anyone who is interested in adopting to remember that God’s heart is with orphans and he will work with you in powerful ways to help you support and raise adopted children. She says it is important to remember that it is the child who has endured the hard part of losing parents or being abandoned. With this perspective in mind, obstacles and problems can be overcome! If you would like to ask the Van Zee’s more about their adoption story, they can be reached at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
—Toney C. Mulhollan
Janella, Daniella (4/10/09) and Shannon Van Zee
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 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"