FOUR MONTHS.
We accepted the referral of our kids four long months ago.
Prior to September, before all these new processes were put in place, families traveled to see their kids approximately two months after their referral and went to bring them home at around the five month mark. If we were still in the old way if doing things, we would be packing up, preparing to travel again to bring them home.
Words cannot describe the frustration, anger and helplessness we feel as parents right now. Our hearts are overflowing with love and care for these children...and we have the least amount of power to do anything about bringing them home.
We still are in need of a regional signature- it has been sitting on the desk of a director for months now. As soon as this paper is signed, we can continue to move forward again. It makes zero sense to us on how this could be taking so long. Furthermore, Ethiopia's courts close mid-August through October because of the rainy season. This means that if we don't get this signature within the next week or so, there will not be enough time (due to all the paperwork processes) to travel for our first trip before this closure. If we cannot move forward with our case before the closure, it will be at least eight or nine months before we are able to go see our kids. The thought of nothing happening for two months and our kids continuing to live in an orphanage unnecessarily is totally unacceptable and maddening to us.
We do believe God has greater plans than us. We sure don't understand His plans sometimes, but believing in Him is the only thing that keeps us sane right now. Our hope is in HIM. We pray that HE comforts our son and daughter every day. We pray their hearts are drawn to us as they look at the photo books we sent. We pray they are well fed and cared for in the orphanage.
Please pray for a miracle to happen. Also, there are several families in our agency who have also been stuck like us...but they have each already has their referrals for 6-8 months. Not making it before the court closure for them would be absolutely devastating. Praying miracles for them would also be appreciated.
Thanks for continuing to pray,
Kamarah
Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
I've never adopted a child or had to go through such an agonizing process. But I have given birth to premature twins whom I could not touch or hold for quite a long time. While it's not the same, I have definitely prayed for God to hold my children when I could not, to comfort them in ways I cannot, and to always surround them with His presence. After I had prayed these prayers, I came across the following story (http://www.mountainwings.com/past/7219.htm). I hope it will encourage you that the Lord is indeed answering your prayers to comfort you song and daughter every day.
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