Jeeah’s Hope Story
In October of 2010, Skip and Ashley Perkins and Chance and Emily Carlisle sat down at Panera Bread in Brentwood, Tennessee following a Show Hope Adoption Conference. Both couples attended the conference in anticipation of finding answers. For the Perkins, these were solutions to help their son, adopted at 27 months, who was struggling emotionally. For the Carlisles it was a deep grief and desire to carry on the legacy of the short life of their daughter, Ellie Jeeah (adopted from South Korea in July 2009).
That day they ironed out a name for the ministry the Lord had placed on our hearts to honor Ellie Jeeah: Jeeah’s Hope.
They left Nashville with an excitement and anticipation of what the Lord would do with this call, but had no idea how both of their busy families could possibly take on all of their heart’s desire to accomplish through the ministry.
“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes Me.” – Luke 9:28
They laid all of their desires at the foot of the cross: the desire to follow along the many families who had adopted in the Chattahoochee Valley area; to follow along and support families in the adoption process and build a bridge in the community of adoptive families and to become involved in the lives of children in foster care.
Years later we are humbled and exceedingly grateful for the Lord’s provision in so many ways. What started out as a two family project has turned into the Lord bringing together countless families into the ministry with our same passions. Through the help of these families Jeeah’s Hope is a 501(c)(3), and has built a strong community in our area of families answering the call to care for children in need. The most rewarding part is so many precious children have reached their forever homes, being loved by family and surrounded and lavished in God’s love. An eternal impact is seen in their eyes and witnessed in their physical growth and health.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:26-27
Remembering Ellie Jeeah
Ellie Jeeah Carlisle, was born October 9, 2008 in Seoul, South Korea. Ellie was a very special little girl who stole the hearts of everyone she met. She had a special love for people and greeted everyone with a smile and open arms.
On June 18, 2010, for reasons unknown, Ellie Jeeah passed away. On that day God’s perfect plan for her was complete; she is now in heaven with infinite hope and future. She is dancing with angels and being held in the arms of Jesus. Her legacy lives on through Jeeah’s Hope.
