Hope deferred makes the heart sick...
Such is the feeling of many families in the Ethiopian adoption program this week. We were informed that significant changes are being made in the way adoptions are being processed in Ethiopia. This is due to concerns about the number of children being adopted internationally and also an increase in efforts to ensure that all adoptions that are completed are done so in an ethical manner. The biggest effect this has on us is an increase in the time between when we get our referral and when we get approval to travel. (The timeline they were giving us before these changes was 3-5 weeks. They haven't said exactly by how much the timeline will increase, just that it will increase from the numbers they gave us before.)
The biggest hardship about an increase of this sort is that once you have your referral, you have a picture and a name...a face and a name to your child, whom you now have to wait possibly over five months more to meet, knowing that a lot of milestones are being passed and that your five month-old infant will be nearly a year old before you meet her. Many families facing this change already have their referrals and have been waiting a number of months already. Please pray for them!
I recall seeing these sort of changes taking place not long before the Vietnam program closed. After coming so far, I'm so worried that it will all be for nothing. Please pray for us too -- that we may hold on faithfully for the conclusion of the proverb....
...But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hope Deferred
Posted by Sarah at 3:47 PM
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5 comments:
Sarah, I will be praying that God gives you peace about these changes. I truly feel His hand present and have been given the wonderful gift of peace, that can only come from Him during this time of change and uncertainty.
Amy
Sarah, The only sure thing about the Ethiopia program is that the government doesn't want to stop the adoptions, just put in safeguards that prevent unethical processes.
We are praying for you and your family.
Hi there! Thanks so much for your prayers. We had some encouraging news today, so hopefully I'll be sharing soon on the blog. I think ultimately things will run smoothly, so hang in there!!!
Sarah--it is never all for nothing. There is a reason and it will become clear. You are in my thoughts as we all wait out this most difficult change.
I think a huge difference with the Ethiopian program and Guatemala and Vietnam is that those programs were driven by $$ and in Guatemala the children were NOT the focus. I say this with experience, having been thru so many changes in guatemala. Ethiopia truly cares for the children and they want the best for them. I think it will work out for the best. Stay strong.
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