Ok, so this wait is getting long huh? We are on week 21 now of having our papers completed and registered in Ethiopia - meaning that on our end, we are ready for the kids! But, in Ethiopia, apparently they aren't ready for the Vogtmans! Well, that or the processes and offices and agencies and orphanages and lawyers and such aren't getting the green lights to move forward with referrals. Because actually, there are kids ready for us, ready for a family, ready for a warm home, love and care. Just waiting for this to all come together!
If you recall, Ethiopia undertook a change in the laws and processes of international adoptions as of Sept. 1, 2013. And we fall under this new change. The new and current law states that the children need to have evidence of their abandonment/relinquishment. The "change" is a yin-yang situation. What I mean by that is, there is good and bad to this when it comes to waiting time. Which would you like to hear first? Ok, the bad (because it's not so bad at all): The process of having the children be "paper ready" takes longer on the end of the Ethiopia side leaving the kids in a longer waiting time before they are released to their new families. And who wants to spend more time in an orphanage than need be? This is, in my opinion, the only downfall. That and that waiting adoptive parents wait longer to see those precious little faces (but we'll make it)! And here is the good news in this law change; The Ethiopian government and social services/child care department is more certain that the children truly are orphaned and not just placed in temporary care or 'found' (if you know what I mean). Ok, maybe you don't. "Finders" are those individuals who may "find" an abandoned child. Either on the streets, at a bus stop, alone near the dumpsters...you get the idea. Those "finders" have to have a police report and such to be as sure as possible that the situation was legit. Sometimes struggling parents will leave their children at the orphanage as a sort of temporary care situation with no intentions of releasing the child for adoption. They are just seeking care to help get through a tough time. With the new law, more processes are made to be certain that the children are truly orphaned and ready for adoption. This overall, is a very good thing for the safety and care of the children and their families.
Our agency informs us that where this leaves us is with a longer wait time for the referral ( the call with the match of the children available to join our family) but with a shorter time between once we get 'the call' and when we get to travel there to meet them (since documents and papers and investigations etc. would have already been made) and go to court there to be their parents!!
As we wait, could you continue to pray for the children and their little hearts? They are going through a wait time too of possibly struggling with grieve, unknowns, and mistrust for adults who in their past have left them alone. Pray for their hearts to be open to love and trust again and for them to be willing to make new lasting relationships in their lives.
We love two kids that we haven't even met and know nothing about. It's hard to wait, but the Lord continues to provide for us in giving us a spirit of peace and hope. He reminds us to trust in His ways and we stand with confidence that He's got this!
Week 20 verse: Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Week 21 verse: Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
If you recall, Ethiopia undertook a change in the laws and processes of international adoptions as of Sept. 1, 2013. And we fall under this new change. The new and current law states that the children need to have evidence of their abandonment/relinquishment. The "change" is a yin-yang situation. What I mean by that is, there is good and bad to this when it comes to waiting time. Which would you like to hear first? Ok, the bad (because it's not so bad at all): The process of having the children be "paper ready" takes longer on the end of the Ethiopia side leaving the kids in a longer waiting time before they are released to their new families. And who wants to spend more time in an orphanage than need be? This is, in my opinion, the only downfall. That and that waiting adoptive parents wait longer to see those precious little faces (but we'll make it)! And here is the good news in this law change; The Ethiopian government and social services/child care department is more certain that the children truly are orphaned and not just placed in temporary care or 'found' (if you know what I mean). Ok, maybe you don't. "Finders" are those individuals who may "find" an abandoned child. Either on the streets, at a bus stop, alone near the dumpsters...you get the idea. Those "finders" have to have a police report and such to be as sure as possible that the situation was legit. Sometimes struggling parents will leave their children at the orphanage as a sort of temporary care situation with no intentions of releasing the child for adoption. They are just seeking care to help get through a tough time. With the new law, more processes are made to be certain that the children are truly orphaned and ready for adoption. This overall, is a very good thing for the safety and care of the children and their families.
Our agency informs us that where this leaves us is with a longer wait time for the referral ( the call with the match of the children available to join our family) but with a shorter time between once we get 'the call' and when we get to travel there to meet them (since documents and papers and investigations etc. would have already been made) and go to court there to be their parents!!
As we wait, could you continue to pray for the children and their little hearts? They are going through a wait time too of possibly struggling with grieve, unknowns, and mistrust for adults who in their past have left them alone. Pray for their hearts to be open to love and trust again and for them to be willing to make new lasting relationships in their lives.
We love two kids that we haven't even met and know nothing about. It's hard to wait, but the Lord continues to provide for us in giving us a spirit of peace and hope. He reminds us to trust in His ways and we stand with confidence that He's got this!
Week 20 verse: Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Week 21 verse: Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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