This week I have been really good about keeping my head up. There’ve been rumors, emails and articles making their way around the adoption community in regards to Ethiopian adoptions. I have let them go by without too much thought (though much prayer!), as I don’t want to freak out prematurely. But then I got to work and saw this on the Department of State website:
Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing
March 9, 2011
Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011. Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing. The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.
Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent. If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches.
Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov .
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/
Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing
March 9, 2011
Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011. Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing. The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.
Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent. If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches.
Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov .
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/
for updated information as it becomes available.
Not gonna lie, it made my insides crumble a bit. I suppose part of me was still hoping the articles, petitions and emails going around were just part of a bad dream. Well, time to wake up. We knew when we were talking about pursuing an international adoption that nothing was ever certain. That there could and would be a number of changes…. and they could occur at any time. When we signed on with AWAA there was only a 1 trip requirement. Our first hurdle was finding out they changed that to 2 trips (found that out shortly after we began the paper chase). But you know what? That (at least to me) turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I am so excited that we’ll be making two trips.
While I can’t say I’m excited about the newest hurdle… especially this part: parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. I am not going to worry about it!
This adoption was NEVER about us. It was (and remains) about the KIDS. If this change in some way helps to stop any corruption, or benefits the children… then I am all for it. Take all the time you need (within reason). ;-)
This adoption was also NEVER in OUR timeline. We have been and will continue to TRUST that GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST. If it were up to us, we wouldn’t have even started the adoption until just recently ~ once Boz got his masters. But we chose to follow our hearts and where we knew God was leading (His timing is best!). So this whole thing has never really been about us. Just about two people trying their best to follow God’s plan for their lives. If we truly believe that ~ which we do! ~ why would we let a potential set back like this get us down!?
GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!
He is still pouring out His LOVE for US!
He has NOT turned His back to us!
He is still the Father to the Fatherless!
God is BIGGER than this!
NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!
HE WAS and HE IS the SAME ~ YESTERDAY. TODAY. TOMORROW.
No matter how many hiccups there are along the way….. ONE THING IS CONSTANT. I am PRAISING THE LORD FOR THAT TODAY!!
Not gonna lie, it made my insides crumble a bit. I suppose part of me was still hoping the articles, petitions and emails going around were just part of a bad dream. Well, time to wake up. We knew when we were talking about pursuing an international adoption that nothing was ever certain. That there could and would be a number of changes…. and they could occur at any time. When we signed on with AWAA there was only a 1 trip requirement. Our first hurdle was finding out they changed that to 2 trips (found that out shortly after we began the paper chase). But you know what? That (at least to me) turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I am so excited that we’ll be making two trips.
While I can’t say I’m excited about the newest hurdle… especially this part: parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays. I am not going to worry about it!
This adoption was NEVER about us. It was (and remains) about the KIDS. If this change in some way helps to stop any corruption, or benefits the children… then I am all for it. Take all the time you need (within reason). ;-)
This adoption was also NEVER in OUR timeline. We have been and will continue to TRUST that GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST. If it were up to us, we wouldn’t have even started the adoption until just recently ~ once Boz got his masters. But we chose to follow our hearts and where we knew God was leading (His timing is best!). So this whole thing has never really been about us. Just about two people trying their best to follow God’s plan for their lives. If we truly believe that ~ which we do! ~ why would we let a potential set back like this get us down!?
GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!
He is still pouring out His LOVE for US!
He has NOT turned His back to us!
He is still the Father to the Fatherless!
God is BIGGER than this!
NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!
HE WAS and HE IS the SAME ~ YESTERDAY. TODAY. TOMORROW.
No matter how many hiccups there are along the way….. ONE THING IS CONSTANT. I am PRAISING THE LORD FOR THAT TODAY!!
3 comments:
well said, Jody! We're standing with you in prayer and trusting that the God of the universe is in control!
Blessings,
K
Praying reallllly hard over here!
perhaps I'll start working on inventing a time machine... :D
Praying with you guys!
Blessings to you both,
Candace
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