Two of the Most Giving, Open-Hearted People I Know: Jed & Vicki Taufer

Today I want to talk about a couple of people that I find truly inspirational and that I look up to so much! They are the kind of people I aspire to be on a regular basis. Vicki and Jed Taufer, if you don't know them, own the V Gallery in Morton, IL, which is one of the top portrait studios in the country. But Vicki and Jed are more than just a photography team, they are a couple of the most giving people I know. These two are constantly giving back to the photography community. In addition to the multiple workshops and seminars that Vicki & Jed speak at, they also started V Gallery Haven to help photographers through their own workshops and various products to help them with workflow, marketing, etc.

Most importantly though, Vicki and Jed are amazing people! Just being in the same room with them for more than a minute, you just feel an overwhelming sense of peace, acceptance, and genuineness. These two have maintained an unbelievable amount of optimism and trust in the Lord despite their difficult circumstances. I'd like to take a few minutes to share their struggle with you in hopes that you may be willing to take a few minutes to do what you can to help these amazing people.

Meet Nima!

Photo by Vicki Taufer

Isn't she the sweetest little girl ever?!  Jed and Vicki adopted Nima in August this year from Nepal, which is one of the poorest countries in the world and has around a million orphans and abandoned children. 

Photo courtesy of Vicki Taufer

Okay so here's a little background on Nepal. Nepal has around a million orphans and abandoned children. In Nepal, pre-marital sex is illegal so women who get pregnant outside of wed-lock often abandon their children and try very hard to remain anonymous, which makes it incredibly difficult to prove a child is an orphan or abandoned.

Photo by Vicki Taufer

The Nepalese government recognizes Vicki and Jed as Nima's legal parents. The problem is with the policy change the U.S. government is making it very difficult to get a visa for children who were abandoned. They are basically stating that all documents belonging to children listed as "abandoned' are to be assumed false and must be investigated and followed up on thoroughly in order to prove the child was really abandoned thereby validating the information of said documents.

Photo by Vicki Taufer

I can't even imagine the pain of not being able to bring your child home with you! To have spent months, years planning and getting everything ready for the big day. To hold your child in your arms, see her smile at you, snuggle into your chest. To fall in love with your child and see her connect with you. And then be told that even though you are legally her parents, you can't bring her home!

Photo by Vicki Taufer

Vicki has been living in Nepal with her beautiful little girl and Jed has been here in the States working. They have had to hire a private investigator and a lawyer to prove that Nima truly was abandoned and hopefully be able to bring her home. Vicki and Jed are optimistic and hopeful that they may be able to get Nima's visa and bring her home in January.

Photo courtesy of Vicki Taufer

As I'm sure you can guess, this whole process has been emotionally and financially exhausting. With Vicki stranded in Nepal until the U.S. government decides to grant Nima a visa, she hasn't been home to work at the studio. If you are in a position to help with their financial situation right now, I would greatly encourage you to do so. I absolutely cannot think of a more deserving family. Just head over to nimajade.com and click on the donate button.

Another way you can help this couple and all those in a similar situation over in Nepal is by copying the letter below and sending it to your selected officials. There is also this website (http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now/) that has a petition you can sign and then gives you this same letter with the list of politicians for your area based on your zip code.

To Whom It May Concern,
We are aware of a group of Americans who have recently traveled to Nepal in order to pick up children they have adopted and bring them home. Upon arriving, they've discovered that the U.S. has changed their policy regarding adoption in Nepal and now they are stuck in a situation where it looks very doubtful that they are going to be able to bring their babies home. There are currently 12 families whose voices need to be heard and collectively we can make a difference if we act now.


Please help us fight this injustice by looking into the case and taking immediate action. These families need their adoptions to be processed under the previous investigation policies that were in effect just a week or so ago so they can bring their children home. Contact Ruth Lincoln at the Office of Children's Issues within the Bureau of Consular Affairs - lincolnra@state.gov or anyone else who may be able to resolve this issue as soon as possible. If you'd like to contact one of the members of the 12 families, feel free to email jedness@mac.com.
Thank you for your efforts.

I hope the Taufer's story touches and inspires you. I know I feel truly blessed to have met these wonderful people. Jed and Vicki have supported and inspired me in ways they don't even know, and I strive on a daily basis to be more like them. Giving, open-hearted, and faith-filled.

Photo by Vicki Taufer

Please keep Jed, Vicki, and Nima in your thoughts and prayers! Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated! And Jed, Vicki - thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly and letting me share your story. I've truly meant every word that I've written, and I love you both for just being you, sharing yourself, your love, and your passion with all of us. This world would be a far better place if there were more people in it like you. :)

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P.S. If you'd like to read the full story - you can find it here: http://www.vgallery.net/letter/