God's plan for us revealed one day at a time.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Another Passion
Through this whole adoption process so far I have come across many families and many different ways of adopting. When I first started this journey I linked up with a couple of blogs and many of them are associated with an agency called Reece's Rainbow. This agency deals with mainly children with disabilities and down syndrom and they raise funds for each child so that their adoptive parents have an easier time in finding the ransom for these precious ones to join their family. I have found through many of their stories that a lot of them come from Europian countries and are in orphanages there for a very long time. Many of these beautiful children face the institution at only 3 years of age, just because they have some limitations in there growth and aren't seen as "normal". Some orphanages do not care for them very well at all and see these sweet ones as not worth their time or effort. This has really broken my heart. How can this happen to such frail, innocent ones that I know that God extends His ultimate favour? Now you probably wonder why our family is not adopting one of these that faces such a miserable life stuck in a crib, not held or loved, no chance of living a much better life. Well, for now this is not meant for us at this point in our lives. I feel passionate about all children that are without a "forever" family and we feel led to Ethiopia at this time. I am saying though that the things I have seen and heard through these wonderful families blogs touch me deeply and cause me to sit up at night praying for these precious ones. I am so glad that I have read about these abuses and neglect because it has made me more passionate about adoption in general. To think that God made a mistake when he created them, like some believe, honestly makes me angry. What joy and delight these children can give and share is hidden by prejudice and hatred. So I'm asking you to please come along side me and pray that things will open up for families trying to adopt these precious ones and that these "lacking compassion" orphanages would be changed and finally for the birth parents who don't believe that their children are worth their love to soften their hearts and extend their arms so that more children aren't left to die alone in these "cages". I urge you to visit the Reece's Rainbow site ( reecesrainbow.org ) and look at these beautiful faces that need our help.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Fundraising
We are on the hunt for a new fundraiser right now so keep on the look out! For now though we are still selling our tie fleece blankets for $40.00. Everyone that has bought one says that they are so comfy and they're their new favorite. I can try to find any material that you want and I have done several team blankets that come out looking great. Let me know! We have a ways to go in our fundraising and appreciate anything that God leads you to give.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Praise the Lord!!!!
This is the latest word that we've received via email from our agency.
We have spent the entirety of this week and last connecting with our own Foreign Staff, participating in caucus calls led by Joint Council and the US Department of State, and independently collaborating with other Adoption Service Providers to get clear and accurate information concerning this matter. Your grace and patience has been so appreciated during this time! What we know as facts are:
MOWA posted a notice indicating as of March 10th they would be reducing the number of adoptions processed through their office to 5 cases a day.
Within days of this announcement, the director of MOWA and several other staff members from the ministry have been terminated.
Today we want to update you on the feedback we received yesterday from our foreign staff in Ethiopia, which was confirmed in a discussion with our adoption colleagues in a Joint Council caucus call later in the day.
At this time, all Foreign Staff on the ground in Ethiopia are reporting that MOWA has completed their staffing changes and are now currently working at full capacity to complete those adoption cases currently re-scheduled or assigned a court appointment through the courts of Addis Ababa. Our staff believe this to be around 800 cases they are working at full force to complete with no restrictions on the number of cases processed each day. This is great news! We are thrilled to hear these drastic changes do not seem to be going into full effect.
We are also pleased to report that for new cases moving forward; it appears the original changes proposed by MOWA will not be implemented to the degree of 5 cases a day. At this time it is unknown whether or not MOWA will issue a formal statement regarding how they will process cases in the future, but from all discussions it will not be a drastic decrease from before. Through the continued work, meetings, and advocacy of many Foreign Staff members in Ethiopia, it appears any future changes within the case processing for MOWA will avoid sweeping and disproportionate alterations to the number of cases processed each day. Rather, the hope is that MOWA, Joint Council, Adoption Service Providers, the US Department of State and other NGO organizations can come together to support the government of Ethiopia in strengthening the process for ethical adoptions to continue while also improving the general social structures to assist with family preservation in Ethiopia. This plan was acknowledged in the recent posting by the US State Department this morning at http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia.html. We understand the US Department of State cannot issue a formal statement without MOWA issuing a retraction. Based on the information we are receiving, MOWA is concentrating on processing the current adoptions and the new staff is not focused on numbers, but doing their jobs.
This is terrific news in our eyes and we continue to pray that things will keep moving forward. The Lord is good and forever has His hand on us.
We have spent the entirety of this week and last connecting with our own Foreign Staff, participating in caucus calls led by Joint Council and the US Department of State, and independently collaborating with other Adoption Service Providers to get clear and accurate information concerning this matter. Your grace and patience has been so appreciated during this time! What we know as facts are:
MOWA posted a notice indicating as of March 10th they would be reducing the number of adoptions processed through their office to 5 cases a day.
Within days of this announcement, the director of MOWA and several other staff members from the ministry have been terminated.
Today we want to update you on the feedback we received yesterday from our foreign staff in Ethiopia, which was confirmed in a discussion with our adoption colleagues in a Joint Council caucus call later in the day.
At this time, all Foreign Staff on the ground in Ethiopia are reporting that MOWA has completed their staffing changes and are now currently working at full capacity to complete those adoption cases currently re-scheduled or assigned a court appointment through the courts of Addis Ababa. Our staff believe this to be around 800 cases they are working at full force to complete with no restrictions on the number of cases processed each day. This is great news! We are thrilled to hear these drastic changes do not seem to be going into full effect.
We are also pleased to report that for new cases moving forward; it appears the original changes proposed by MOWA will not be implemented to the degree of 5 cases a day. At this time it is unknown whether or not MOWA will issue a formal statement regarding how they will process cases in the future, but from all discussions it will not be a drastic decrease from before. Through the continued work, meetings, and advocacy of many Foreign Staff members in Ethiopia, it appears any future changes within the case processing for MOWA will avoid sweeping and disproportionate alterations to the number of cases processed each day. Rather, the hope is that MOWA, Joint Council, Adoption Service Providers, the US Department of State and other NGO organizations can come together to support the government of Ethiopia in strengthening the process for ethical adoptions to continue while also improving the general social structures to assist with family preservation in Ethiopia. This plan was acknowledged in the recent posting by the US State Department this morning at http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia.html. We understand the US Department of State cannot issue a formal statement without MOWA issuing a retraction. Based on the information we are receiving, MOWA is concentrating on processing the current adoptions and the new staff is not focused on numbers, but doing their jobs.
This is terrific news in our eyes and we continue to pray that things will keep moving forward. The Lord is good and forever has His hand on us.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The latest.
On the rumor mill is this- They will process 20 cases a day instead of the suggested 5 that we heard before. This is better news but yet again not great. Please continue to pray that none of this comes into fruitation and it in fact can increase from the normal 50 that they had been doing. Now none of this is really confirmed as of yet but is a possibility. Will keep everyone posted.
Friday, March 11, 2011
I have tons to pics to post but I've been working off of laptop that Joel brought home from work. I've been too busy and quite frankly too lazy to head to the basement to download them there.
We are moving right along with our adoption. We were assigned our homestudy social worker today and hopefully next week we'll get to meet her or atleast make plans to. As of the situation in Ethiopia nothing major has happened so far but everyone is working on getting as much signatures as possible on the petition. If you haven't done so please go to the posting below and sign. Pass it on to all you know as well. We need a lot more by Monday.
I'll keep you posted if anything significant comes about in the meantime.
We are moving right along with our adoption. We were assigned our homestudy social worker today and hopefully next week we'll get to meet her or atleast make plans to. As of the situation in Ethiopia nothing major has happened so far but everyone is working on getting as much signatures as possible on the petition. If you haven't done so please go to the posting below and sign. Pass it on to all you know as well. We need a lot more by Monday.
I'll keep you posted if anything significant comes about in the meantime.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
"Children Of God" - Official Music Video
This is such a great song and now that I've seen the video it makes it even better. Make sure you watch till the end. Made me tear up.
This might explain why the below is happening.
Ethiopia: Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption
3/7/11
Statement on Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia
Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week.
The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions.
The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years.
Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.
3/7/11
Statement on Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia
Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week.
The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions.
The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years.
Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.
Why?
This might make more sense from the country's standpoint on why this might go into affect. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html
Please Pray!
Some possible scary things might be happening in Ethiopia this week.The Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) has announced a proposal to decrease the number of adoptions they will process and approve—even by as much as 90%. They are planning to accomplish this decrease by limiting the number of approved cases to only 5 per working day. This change is currently set to begin on March 10, 2011.
JCICS Call to Action
March 8, 2011
Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children
What You Can Do:
1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!
2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s Affairs. Send your photos and stories to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide.
3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our our blog.
4) Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us: click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.” And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our our blog.
5) Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding. Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families. Donate today!
Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html
JCICS Call to Action
March 8, 2011
Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children
What You Can Do:
1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!
2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s Affairs. Send your photos and stories to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide.
3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our our blog.
4) Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us: click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.” And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our our blog.
5) Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding. Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families. Donate today!
Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html
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