Nathanael was adopted by the Stahlers, an American family who also gave a home to a boy named Thomas.
The boys moved to the US with their new family and never looked back.
Nathanael has finished his technical college training and is an active member of the church.
Door of Hope operations director Nadene Grabham told TimesLIVE that the caregivers at the home want nothing more than to see the babies grow up to be responsible, caring and successful adults.
“We are very proud of Nathanael and we were very happy to get a letter from him after all this time.”
Grabham said there were other older children who checked in with the home once in a while, but they were especially glad to hear from Nathanael because he was one of the first babies to move into the shelter.
In the letter to the women who cared for him, he wrote: “God has brought me to where I am today, and He used the grannies at the Door of Hope Baby House to help me.”
He said he would never forget the love he received at the home.
“I was an abandoned baby – and now I am a graduate. To God be the glory!”