#3...#1?

Today I sent an email to our CWA case manager to get an update on where we are in the infamous "waiting room". I haven't asked for 3 months, but I was getting quite intrigued. When we started on the waiting list, we were around #30-something.

She responded back with: "there are three other families in front of you, but even within that there are variables of maybe they'd take one [child] instead of two." I read her email with very groggy eyes soon after getting out of bed and immediately was wide awake! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?!?! Please pray that this list moves even faster and we get our referral soon, especially in light of the potentially changing laws with 2 trips to Ethiopia instead of just 1.

All along we've been begging people to pray "EXPEDITE" for our little ones coming home. Looks like God's answering already (or I could be misreading him!). Even as I type there are tears as I think about kissing and holding my kiddos in my arms. Come quickly, Lord.

Redemption Song :: Hope for Haiti

My heart continues to be pulled to Haiti, especially to all the new orphans this crisis has created. I went to Haiti when I was in high school on a mission's trip. It was there I fell in love with those who are poor - not just statistics, people with names and faces and stories. Perhaps it was there that God implanted in my heart a love for Africa [95% of Haitians are from African descent].

I heard Rihanna sing the redemption song [Bob Marley's], and wanted to post as a prayer for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. As Rihanna said, please don't think the problem will solve itself. Give in whatever way you can...we have much to share with those in need.

Prayer Request!

THIS WAS SENT FROM OUR CASE MANAGER TODAY. THIS COULD BE A BIG DEAL FOR US:
According to our Country Representative, Ato Zerihun, there is currently a discussion by the court system in Ethiopia whether or not to require adoptive parents to appear in person for the court hearings of their prospective children. This has the potential to make Ethiopia a 2 trip country; 1 trip for court and 1 trip for the Embassy appointment.

This discussion has been precipitated by the alarming number of cases being revoked – 43 thus far. We are attempting to get clarification on the exact nature of revocations, but assume those are dissolutions.

The network of adoption agencies will meet with the president of the First Instance Court to discuss this proposed procedure. We do not have a date for this meeting as yet.

AT THIS TIME, this is only in the discussion stage and no changes have been made to the requirements. We just want to keep you informed as we learn more ourselves. We will keep you apprised of any additional developments as we hear of them. Keep this in prayer.

While we see the obvious benefits of parents meeting their children before court, especially in the case of older children, we also acknowledge the cost involved in traveling twice may be prohibitive for some families.