Family grows with international addition

Isenbergs adopt Guatemala girl

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

LAFAYETTE -- Tom and Lenora Isenberg feel they have much to be thankful for this holiday season.

Until a few months ago, they had three biological children but wanted a fourth child.

An adopted child herself, Lenore was interested in adopting a child. The decision on how and where to seek adoption didn't come quickly.

The Isenbergs researched many adoption organizations. They prayed about adopting a small child from Russia, Columbia or Guatemala.

"We felt the Lord wanted us to do it," said her husband Tom Isenberg, now a self-employed financial advisor.

In January 2003, the couple began looking for a child to adopt from All God's Children International of Portland, Ore. The organization works with orphans in Bulgaria, China, Guatemala, Kazakstan, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

They were particularly impressed with All God's Children because it helps mothers before they give birth to children they can't afford to support.

The low staff ratio of just two babies for each All God's Children adoption agent impressed them.

Due to political instability in Guatemala, the adoption process in Guatemala took a little longer than the Isenbergs expected, but they said the wait was worth the extra time.

"We could tell eight-month-old Karina was well taken care of," Lenore said.

The Isenbergs took a six-hour plane ride to Guatemala and met their tour guide that spoke English and Spanish. Most Guatemalans are of Indian and mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry, aka Ladinos.

The couple learned that Karina Gabrielle's mother already had three other children and couldn't afford another child. She works two jobs and earns about $200 per month.

The Isenbergs learned the medical history of Karina's mother. Information included a DNA test.

The Isenbergs bought gifts for Karina's mother and her children but did not come in direct contact with her. All Gods Children acted as a go-between the two families.

Guatemala has a democratic form of government but the Isenbergs said armed guards were very common.

Karina came home with the Isenbergs in September. The couple's children, Bryan, 8; Hannah, 6; and Nathan, 4; and Karina are adjusting well, it seems.

"Hannah was thrilled to have a new sister," Lenore said. "She fit right into the family."

The older Isenberg children attend GFW schools.

Tom and Lenora met in McGrath, Alaska while on a missions trip with the Interactive Bible Institute.

They taught at GFW Middle School in Fairfax before he became a broker of Edward Jones in Lafayette. Tom and his wife now do investment work out of their home.

The couple contacted the National Heritage Foundation (NHF), which seeks to restore, maintain and extend our national heritage in the U.S. and those of cooperating countries throughout the world.

The NHF promotes people to people projects by setting up charitable, educational, scientific and religious foundations as described in Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code as amended.

The Isenbergs learned that adoption expenses qualified for a $10,000 federal tax credit that could be spread out over several years.

Guatemala has close economic and political ties with the United States. The U.S. is Guatemala's chief trading partner and imports much of their coffee. Farmers grow corn, cotton and sugar cane and raise beef cattle on a grassy lowland between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Bananas and beans are other chief agricultural products. Guatemalan manufacturing products include clothing and textiles, handicrafts, processed foods and beverages.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com