Ethiopian Orphans

I'm in a bit of shock as I write this blog post.  Alternating between tearfulness and shock.  Because I just read this article, released today from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

When we met our adoption agency director in November 2009, she told us then that she saw the signs of adoption in Ethiopia eventually closing.  I didn't want to believe it.  Even though she spoke from experience, having seen other countries close in the past, I just couldn't see how that could happen in Ethiopia when there are so many orphans there who need families.  The situation is desperate.

But since we started the adoption process the signs have been becoming more clear.  Perhaps this decision to see fewer cases each day for the purpose of more thoroughly investigating each case is a good thing.  Of course we want to ensure that every child being adopted is a true orphan!  A friend of mine put it so well -- Policies and investigations are put in place for the safety and integrity of the adoption system.  However, in instances like this, many innocent and legitimate orphans as well as loving families are the ones who suffer as a result of these decisions. 

Our adoption agency director said that this announcement of a dramatic slowing down of adoptions in Ethiopia could be tremors before the earthquake, a forewarning of things that are to come.  And if it is, millions without families will remain orphans for their entire lives.  And there would have been families to welcome them.

I believe that God is sovereign over this.  That He selected a generation of children who were without parents to be brought into Christian homes in America because He had chosen them as His own children.  I stand in awe when I think about our son and daughter in the big picture of all this.  That their little lives fell in that window of time, and our application process happened in that window of time.  It's too great for my mind to wrap around. 

Please pray for seven couples that are good friends of ours who are all in process with Ethiopian adoptions right now -- the Hares, the Suttons, the Myers, the Uchereks, the Jenkins, the Joneses and the Windhams.  I listed them in order of how far along they are in the adoption process and I know they would all appreciate our fervent prayers.  James 5:16 says "The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power!"  They are in the middle of a battle for the well being of orphans, a cause that is close to the heart of our great God.  Let's fight alongside them!

I had come across this quote and video on a blog I follow a while ago and it seems fitting to post now:

When I see these faces, I see the face of my youngest son – and my heart breaks and the tears flow. Adoption isn’t the only answer to the orphan crisis, but it is one of them. I’ve been so encouraged by all the comments and emails we’ve received lately as a result of sharing our story on this blog. If you’re considering adoption and know it’s something God is telling you to do, please be obedient! You can never imagine the adventure He will take you on, and it will be WORTH every high and low of the journey . . .