Adoption Update (late July '09)

Beth & I have been overwhelmed by all the support, prayers, and encouragement that we have received regarding our adoption process from Ethiopia.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Many of you have asked how things are going and where we are in the process ...

Right now we are basically just waiting for what is called a "referral".  Our adoption agency, WACAP, will contact us to "refer" children to us that match what we have requested.  For Ethiopia this referal process takes many months.  For some countries this process can take months and even years.

Why does it take so long? Beth & I ask ourselves this question a lot, especially with almost 150 million orphans in the world!  However, there are few factors that drive the wait:

• The sheer bureaucracy involved (two governments and multiple agencies), much of which is necessary to protect children and families from corrupt practices.


• The "rainy" season -- Ethiopia is in the tropics and has a 6-8 week long rainy season from mid-July to September.  Many government services and agencies have to close and rolling blackouts are common in the cities.  Travel is limited.


• Court -- the court has to investigate and be satisfied that each child is in fact an orphan and is best served through adoption.  The process takes time, court dates have to be scheduled, and appropriate parties have to all be present.

What happens once we get a "referral"? A few things happen at this point ...

• Beth and I receive detailed information about the children (pictures, videos, medical information, age, life circumstances, etc).  We then have a week or so to accept or deny the referral.


• If we accept, then our agency works to schedule a court date for an Ethiopian judge to officially make us the legal parents of the children.  (We do not have to be present for this).


• After our children become "ours" and "pass" court, we would then travel to Ethiopia to bring our children to their new home! In Ethiopia, we go to the U.S. embassy to obtain visas for the children.  Travel usually happens about 2-4 months after court.  We would be there for 5-7 days and then ...


• WE COME HOME!!!!!!

Keep praying for us, for our "future" children, and God's sovereign "hand" to direct this process for His glory.