January 2010- Adoption delays

From Aaron-
We need your help! The adoption has been delayed once again.

We were planning to travel at the end of the month but we found out today that the issue of moving our kids into the capital has become much more serious. Last summer accusations were made about the adoptions taking place is a region (Oromia) about 3 hours south of the capital (Addis Ababa) The officials had slowed the paper work until an investigation was done.

Until today we thought that the investigation had been clean and we were waiting for an official announcement, that things could proceed. We received word that there was validity to the accusations of misconduct in our region and because of this they will continue to hold all children in their custody. This is very concerning news because they are refusing to move kids, even if there is a medical emergency. This is a life and death situation! Last week a young child passed away because they denied transport. These are kids whose paperwork is complete and yet the region (county) officials are not allowing them to leave. This situation is unprecedented and our agency is unsure about the time frame, or exactly what to do.

So we do not know when we will get a embassy date. This is a heart braking blow to Sarah and I. However we know that God is in absolute control and his timing is absolutely perfect!

We do feel that God is also asking us to engage in battle against the Satan and what ever forces that may be hindering this adoption.

Eph 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

So we are rallying the troops!
HE IS CALLING US TO FIGHT!

Eph 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

We are a well equipped army! Because of what Christ did for us on the cross!

Eph 6:13-17
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Please meditate on these verses before praying! The truth of the word is how we can have the power to break the devils schemes!

We are earnestly seeking help in this!
Pray that/for
1. Dr. Tsegaye the head of the agency network. He is representing American agencies as he meets with heads officials from the Oromia region. He is meeting primarily with the deputy minister of MoWA. Pray that he has wisdom on convincing the Oromia officials to move the kids and to put a system in place to keep all kids waiting, for adoption safe.

2. Peace for Sarah and I
3.that we can travel before march (our paper work will expire costing thousands to renew).
4.those responsible for disrupting the adoptions will be removed and that future adoptions will proceed smoothly.
5. Wisdom for us on how to proceed, we are trying to figure out if Aaron should leave for Ethiopia and try to go and move things along.
6. Safety and health for the orphans that are in waiting status.

-Aaron (& Sarah)


From Sarah- My heart has hurt so badly today that I felt like I did not have the strength to utter a word. I was completely unprepared emotionally, despite previous delays, to find out that our travel plans have been delayed indefinately. As Americans we work off of schedules, planners, appointment times and often expect justice and for the wrongs of the world to be corrected. These kids are ours legally. Our names are on their much anticipated birth certificates, so how can they refuse to move them? They just can. They are stuck in a system of crushing poverty and horrid injustices. While I was trying to come to terms with all of this I was thinking of the gross injustice of this situation and how tired I am of dealing with the emotional ups and downs of waiting, and delays and more waiting.Our family is truly in a holding pattern of sorts, until our kids are home. Emotionally it has been very taxing anticipating our departure over these last five weeks only to wait some more. I will grieve the lost time with them until I bring them home, but while this waiting period continues, the reality is that without the grave injustices of our sin filled world, these kids would never have become apart of our family to begin with. Sin, poverty and circumstance have determined that their parents could no longer care for them. The injustices that are stealing time from us as we speak are the very thing that has caused us to be a family. Therefore, somewhere past the deep sadness is a window of thankfulness. Thankful that we are on the receiving end of this adoption, thankful for a home in which to raise these little blessings and thankful for the resources in which to accomplish all this. Our agency is working to get these munchkins released as quickly as possible, this affects all orphanages in the region.

( A photo for an adopted child is usually very crucial in their development and self worth. Learning to understand that they do indeed have 4 parents, A simple photo can give a child an anchor into who they are. Despite all of our love, the truth is that our kids will deal with a great loss throughout their lives and a photo is one of many tools to help them through this process)
Two years ago I was telling my friend Jill how I desperately longed for our kids to have at least one photo of their parent(s). Often there is no photo available. As the months have passed I told Jill I didn't know if I could hope or pray that we got this. I have felt like in hoping for the kids I couldn't handle the emotional pull of hoping for photos. A couple months ago Jill said I'm going to pray this for you, I know that you can't but I'm going to pray that God gives you this. Along with the news of the impending delays we got a big treasure. Today we received photos of our kids with their biological parent! I'm so thankful for the long term benefits of this one item. It will be the only tangible item our kids come home with.So, we ask for your strategic prayers over the next couple of weeks, or more. Just as Jill stood in the gap for me, I ask that you all stand in the gap for our kids. God has opened a door that no one can shut, but he still chooses to work through all of us. Thank you all for your letters of encouragement, financial support, donations and listening to all of this. We hope that it will all be over soon and we can go onto the next phase of our lives.

-Sarah

We will try to keep you updated!