March 17, 2011

So maybe it was the luck of the Irish today, or more likely an answer to prayers, but we received word that everything seems to be resuming with the adoption processes in Ethiopia. Staff members were replaced at MOWA and there are still some organizational issues they are addressing, but it appears they have not deserted the orphans in their country. Our official number for March is #60. And our "unofficial" number this week is 56. Tears of joy this week...so thankful...so very thankful.

March 12, 2011

Our fears were confirmed last week when MOWA indeed stated as of March 10th they were reducing their review of international adoption cases to 5 a day. I was devastated and so scared for what this was to mean. I mourned the hopes I had for our daughter and when she would be united with our family. I prayed so often, almost continuously. I signed a petition from the Joint Council for Children International per request of our agency as a way to present a united case for the children awaiting families and passed it on to others to do the same as the only action we could take part in as these decisions were being made half way across the world.

Now we are waiting to see what comes from a series of meetings that agencies and organizations are conducting with MOWA and the Ethiopian government. Trying to keep faith in the unknown and uncertain.

Interestingly our unofficially number for March has gone to #58. During this turbulent time, many referrals were given and many more court dates were set. We hope this movement is an indication of good things to come this spring.

March 5, 2011

We received word for AGCI today that the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) is considering reviewing only 5 adoption cases a day vs the 40-50 they currently see. This change would dramatically postpone when we would get a referral, etc. The word is that this reduction is due to lack of staff to properly conduct ethical adoption procedures. I am hoping that the government sees the need for more staff and fills enough positions to maintain the need for placing the almost 5 million orphans in Ethiopia with forever families. Feeling apprehensive tonight...

We watched "Black Gold" this evening. It is a documentary about the injustices of the coffee industry and trade in Ethiopia. Very disturbing. Makes you want to aspire to do great things to change the inequities of the world.

http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/

February 19, 2011

I went to an adoption conference this morning. It is the same annual conference that I attended a year ago that officially started serious conversations about moving forward with this process. Amazing what a difference a year makes...I say this in hope that a year from now I will be able to hold our daughter close and think the same thing...