The Sam and Ellie Adoption Fund History

The Story of Dan and Joni Johnson

Founders, Sam and Ellie Adoption Fund 

In the spring of 2003 Dan and Joni Johnson went to an ultrasound, so excited to find out if their third child was a girl or a boy. They were thrilled to learn that they were expecting Ellie. She looked perfect to them and in a few short minutes it felt like their world had turned pink. Those minutes are precious to them, as they are the only memories they have of Ellie that are not clouded with the weight of uncertainty and grief that marked the rest of their journey with her. Quickly, they learned that Ellie’s body was slightly swollen and that meant something was seriously wrong. Initially doctors told them to expect that she would not survive pregnancy. But as the weeks and months went on, and as all of the typical tests returned negative, and as they prayed and prayed and prayed, Ellie continued to grow. Her birthday was a day of painful hope. The verse God gave them for Ellie is “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) They were given only 6 days with Ellie. Because of His presence, they were also given peace to be able to hand her to Him, comfort for all their tears and most amazingly, joy.

Several months later, they were expecting a new baby. They were shocked to learn at their first ultrasound at 16 weeks that Josh had already gone to Heaven.  

Because their first two children were born perfectly healthy, and because doctors were not able to find a cause of death for Ellie or Josh, they hoped they would go on to have another healthy child. This was the desire of their hearts and they felt God’s blessing.

Sam’s first ultrasound was perfect, as was his second, third and fourth. But, at seven months it was discovered that Sam suffered the same symptoms that Ellie had.  Sam was delivered early. Doctors worked tirelessly and friends and family cried out in prayer with the Johnsons. There was hope for Sam. The hospital staff talked in terms of “when” they would take him home, not “if.” They couldn’t find rest in medical hope, however, but did find it in the verse God gave them for Sam. “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.” (Psalm 138:8) After a couple of weeks of praying over him, kissing and holding him the best that they could in NICU, God whispered to their hearts that He was coming for their son. All of Sam’s 17 days are precious to them. 

God provided for the Johnsons in countless ways during their hardships. He changed them, grew them, helped them and most importantly, He held them close. One of the ways He cared for them is through the care of loving family members, friends, church members, even strangers. Many of them gave money to the church in memory of Sam and Ellie. They believe their children’s lives were and are His, as are the gifts that were given in their memory. It was their hope, and they believed it to be God’s desire, that those gifts would be used to start this fund to help bring orphans into the homes of loving KCC families. That hope has been fulfilled, and since the Sam and Ellie Adoption Fund was established in 2006, it has continued to grow and has helped seven children to join KCC families! We continue to pray that God will use this fund to bless the lives of children and families.

A friend once gave Joni another verse: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5) The Johnsons’ journey didn’t end with the death of their beloved babies. They wonder at the miraculous heart changes and the amazing ways God guided and arranged for a new blessing in their lives, the adoption of their daughter from China. Since then, He has also provided strength and wisdom for this new parenting journey.

If you are considering adoption and are looking for financial assistance, please call Families of Promise, KCC’s Orphan and Adoption ministry, at 455-1740 x3242. Or, if God is not calling you to adoption, but has given you a heart for orphans and families, will you consider making a donation to the Sam and Ellie Fund?  You may do this by designating your gift on your offering envelope or check memo line. Thank you!