RAPID CITY - She waited a year and a half before the adoption finally went through, but Renee Eggebraaten said the logic was simple.

"I didn't want any other child. She belonged in my family."

Eggebraaten, with Bethany Christian Services, shared her story with interested parents at the First Assembly of God Adoption and Orphan Fair on Saturday.

Professionals from Lutheran Social Services, Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Social Services, Black Hills Children's Home, Holt International, Wendy's Wonderful Kids and other financial and legal experts were on hand for participants to learn more about adopting or fostering a child from the U.S. or abroad. About 50 people attended the event.

Lisa Seidel began organizing the fair after she read about the global humanitarian crisis and the need for homes for children.

"I just got a burden for it," she said. "(God) put it on my heart."

And it might not be for everyone, Seidel said, although there is a place for everyone in the process.

"Every person has a part to play," she said. "Not everyone has to adopt, but they can help fund someone who does."

According to Shirley Conrad with Lutheran Social Services, there were only 80 adoptions in South Dakota last year, including international, domestic and private. Terry Tompkins with Lutheran Social Services, said about 30 children are in foster care through LSS in the Rapid City area and as many as 300 children in the state right now.

Rod and Carmen DiBona attended the fair Saturday, looking for basic information. Carmen is inclined to adopt internationally, but Rod is leaning more toward domestic.

"I was curious about the process," Rod said. "I was ignorant about it."

They haven't made any decisions, but the fair gave them the information they needed, he said.

Eggebraaten said if a couple decides to adopt, it's worth the wait.

"It's worth the daunting paperwork and the expense when you bring that child into your family," she said.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com