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yikes

What to do, what to do?
Well, there's not much we can do.

We received an email yesterday stating that timelines for Ethiopia adoption have become MUCH longer than they usually had been. To the tune of 3.5 years until a referral... yikes.
In the last few years Ethiopia had been allowing many adoptions within a short timeframe, which has now led to some corruption. Due to these events, Ethiopia has taken steps to try and cut out the corruption. While I am very thankful that we are trying to end the corruption, it is a bummer for the timeline of adoption.

My stomach has been sick all day thinking about our children. There are so many kids that Truthfully and Honestly need homes, but because of sick people in this world who worship money over the value of a childhood, our children are stuck in an orphanage somewhere in Ethiopia.

And, I worry about Caleb. He so badly wants his brother and/or sister here. Right now. Tomorrow if possible. How is he going to wait three more years?

Granted, we do not have really narrow guidelines as to what children we will take. We are open to sibling groups, to a slightly older age, and are willing to take some special needs. Due to these facts, our timeline may not be as long, but there is no guarantee.

Our agency said that this is nothing new. For instance, in 2007, China had record adoption numbers that were followed with a lot of corruption. A similar situation then occurred and steps were taken to minimize/delete the corruption, and now China has a very reputable and streamlined adoption system.

I am praying for Ethiopia and its children. I am praying for the 100's of adoptive parents waiting for their children to come home. And I'm really praying for all of the children sitting in an orphanage for months upon months, just because of evil in this world.

So what next? Well, we wait, along with all of the other adoptive parents waiting for their children from Ethiopia. We are also looking into options through our agency to possibly do simultaneous adoption programs - meaning we would be signed up for two different country's programs, and would adopt possibly from each, although we would not be able to adopt from both within 12 months of eachother. Another option would be to possibly switch all together to a different program. Seeing as we will be one of the lower ones on the "waiting list" since we are just currently about to get in our paperwork, this would be the time to make a switch if we feel it is necessary. Our agency is capping their Ethiopia program and will not accept anymore into the adoption program as of June 1st until things settle a little more - Good for them - I think that is a wise move. I'm also happy to know that the director of our agency is the co-chair of one of the leading groups working on fighting the corruption in Ethiopia. Because of this, I feel like I am in safe hands at our agency, no matter what decision we choose.

I really don't want the corruption to happen in Ethiopia, I really don't. BUT, how I long to hold my kids. This really stinks - I don't know of any other way to put it.

If you have some extra time today, would you mind praying for the orphaned children of Ethiopia? They could really use our prayers right now.

In Christ,
Mara

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