Pray for Ethiopia

As some of you may have heard, there are some BIG changes being talked about in the Ethiopia adoption world that will drastically change international adoptions in Ethiopia.  They are talking about cutting back by as much as 90 percent the number of inter-country adoptions it will allow, as part of an effort to clean up a system rife with fraud and corruption.  This would have a devestating effect on those children and families waiting to be united.  They are talking of making 5 court referrals per day instead of 50, which will make the process of getting to court a painstakingly long one!  This will also effect so many children in Ethiopia.  While I agree with the fact that international adoption is not the only answer to the poverty, disease, and orphans of Ethiopia, it is an option when there are no relatives or other in-country options available.  Many of these kids who are not adopted out of the orphanges get released and become street children or prostitues.  It's a child trafficers playground -- waiting for these innocent children to be relinquished to the street.  We cannot allow this to happen!  I also agree that we need to come in and help familes of Ethiopia before they get into the situation of poverty, disease and death.  But, cutting out international adoptions by 90% doesn't seem to be the answer right now. 

At this point, nothing has been officially posted on the Department of States website.  We are unsure as to how this could affect us and where we are in the process.  I'm trying not to get too excited since nothing is official yet, but it makes me very nervous. 

So, without speculating any more, may I ask that you join in prayer for Ethiopia and it's families and children?  Following are some great  prayer reminders from Tom Davis' blog (Children's Hope Chest):

1. For God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  God is in control. For those of you who are facing being stuck, remember that God is in control.

2. For God to breakdown strongholds of the enemy.  Every child deserves the right to grow up in a health family, and adoptive families provide that for thousands of children each year. Pray that God would demolish the strongholds that are set up against adoption.

3. For God to fulfill His promises.  God defines Himself as the Father to the Fatherless. He declares He will set the lonely in families. He warns those who would interfere with His plan to bring justice and mercy that is due to them. Find the orphan scriptures, pray them to God, and ask Him to fulfill those promises to the children of Ethiopia now.

4. For the courts and judges and government officials making this decision.  Ask the Holy Spirit to permeate the courtroom and convict the hearts of the judges and other government officials. Bring the power of the Holy Spirit into these discussions and proceedings--not that we would get our way--but that God's perfect will would be fulfilled in these decisions.

5. For the children and families   That God would shorten their wait times. Fortunately, God is bigger than these obstacles. Pray that waiting children would receive comfort. And pray that waiting families would experience peace, grace, and love from those around them.

Community Yard Sale

Wow.. timing was perfect for this.  I was contacted a few weeks ago by a neighbor who has been planning a Community Yard Sale since last fall.  YAY!  We had contemplated having a yard sale as a fundrasier, but because of our rural area, we were nervous about drawing a big enough crowd.  Luckily, this gal is going to take care of all of the advertising, etc., plus, it's about 15+ families that are participating so there should be a good turnout that brings lots of traffic. 

DETAILS: 

1st Annual Stonehead Community Yard Sale

Saturday, May 22, 2010

(rain date: June 5, 2010)

COME TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION!!!

All proceeds (of our family sales) will go towards our International Adoption Account

How can you help?


Before the Sale:
SPREAD THE WORD. Help us promote the sale to your family and friends so we'll have a good crowd.
PASS OUT FLYERS. I'll be printing some flyers soon to pass out in my neighborhood. If you are able to do the same thing in your neighborhood, contact me and I'll get you some!
DONATE ITEMS. We are accepting any items that you think will sell. Contact me at baxter075@comcast.net and we'll figure out a way to get them from you between now and the big day!


At the Sale:
DONATE BAKED GOODS. We'll be selling individually wrapped baked goods, such as brownies, muffins, cookies, Rice Krispy treats, or anything else that would sell.  We hope to bring in a lot of funds this way!
MONITOR A STATION. Depending on what we have, we may have, for example, a book & DVD Station, a Toy Station, Clothing Station, Bake Sale Station, etc.
TABLES OR EZUPS? If you got em, we’d love to borrow them!


Items being sold:  Household, toys, games, clothing (adult/children), seasonal, recreational, etc.

MOST OF ALL --- COME SHOPPING & BRING YOUR FRIENDS

Waiting

Waiting ... for those of you who have asked, based on our Agency's new Referral Waiting Clocks, it appears as though we may be waiting about 8 more months for a referral. (October-November range).  That could change... for the better or for the worse.  Plus with the new travel, court and embassy changes, we can expect another 4 - 8 month wait after referral until Baby E is home. 

Funny thing is, we are ok with that.  What??? That doesn't even make sense to me, but I guess it goes back to the whole trust and peace aspect of trusting God in this journey.  He is the one who first placed this on our hearts, so He is the one who will help us grow and learn patience and peace through all of this.  I must admit, I wince and pout (if truth be known) every time I see a change coming that's going to mess with MY plan, but guess what... it's not MY plan :) 

I still continue to hope and pray that the changes going on in Ethiopia will be for the better, not just for us, but for other families who are just beginning the process, or who are deciding whether or not Ethiopia is the right country for them.  The children are precious and I would hate to see families shy away from Ethiopia because of some of the bad press and changes.  Adoption is always risky and unpredictable.. that's not new news, but there is always that hope that things won't affect you.  When things to happen, you have to do what you can and let God do what you can't (I stole that from Joyce Meyer).   So for now, we'll be happy to wait. 

Peace

Even with the unknowns and the weekly changes that have been occuring in Ethiopia, Brad and I feel a sense of peace.  It's wierd -- especially for me, being the control-freak that I am -- I normally would be freaking out!  But we feel peace.  It's all apart of the plan -- the growing, the stretching, the maturing of our faith.  The trusting that things will work out -- perhaps not as we have planned in our human minds -- but exactly how He has planned for it to happen.

What we do know is that we will definitely be going to Ethiopia 2 times now.  Our first trip will be to appear in court to show our committment to adopt; our second will be to bring Baby E home.  There's probably going to be anywhere from 3 - 6 months in between trips (I am only guessing here -- we haven't received offical word yet)   We are actually excited to be able to visit Ethiopia earlier in the process to meet our daughter and soak in the country, the atmosphere and culture.  It is going to be tough, however, to get back on that plane without our daughter.  I haven't begun to process that yet. 

So, the good news is we will get to see our daughter earlier in the process.  The bad news is that it is going to add about $5,000+ to our adoption expenses.  Again, we feel peace about this and know that we will have it when the time comes.  We are hoping to do a few fundraisers this summer -- an adoption rummage/yard sale; perhaps a family fun day, and we are still collecting donations for our puzzle. 

So many of our family and friends have been generous in support and prayers.  You know who you are -- thank you again for investing in our daughter and family through prayer and support.   We cannot do this on our own and your words of wisdom, prayers and support continue to carry us.  

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.    

I Peter 5:7