Prayer and Action For Ethiopian Adoption

I have been struggling to write this post for many days.  There is a serious need for prayer regarding the state of adoptions in Ethiopia, but because Trace and I are so close to the issue it is a very emotional subject for us to share.  For an objective view of what is happening click here to see an article that was posted last Friday.  We had heard rumblings of possible changes in the program due to corruption within the system, but did not know what, if any, changes would be made.  Before the news came out last week we had settled on being happy if our child came home by the end of 2011 (that would make our adoption process about 22 months) and now this could add many additional months. 


It is beyond sad that some people would use something as wonderful as adoption and turn it into a greedy and evil business.  We are adopting through Dillon/ Buckner International and they have an amazing track record of ethical adoption, and generous humanitarian programs in the countries where they work.  In fact, in Ethiopia, adoption is the least of the ministry and the programs they run to help those in need.  Buckner runs many foster programs, schools, and trade programs designed to keep families together so more children can stay with their birth families.  It is due to this that we KNOW that the children in our agency's baby home need to be adopted, and the longer the process takes, the longer they remain without a family.  While we have heard how the children are amazingly cared for and loved during their stay at the baby home, each child deserves a loving family and the stability that brings.


So, we ask for your prayers for the children caught in the middle of an imperfect system.  It's not their fault that they are orphans, and it's not their fault that the corruption of some is affecting their chance to be adopted into a loving forever home!  Please pray that a way is found to address the corruption that does exist while still allowing ethical agencies to proceed with adoptions.


And if you can, will you pray for Trace and I as well?  We have hard and emotional moments at times.  We are trying to focus on faith and not fear, but sometimes that is very difficult.  We know that this is not about us, so we pray and choose to cast our cares on the only one that can make a real difference.


Lastly, we'd like your help to ACT!  There is a petition being put together by JCICS- a children's advocacy group, and we would love it if you would take 1 minute to sign the petition:

1)      Sign this petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!

2)      Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know!  Post, forward and share this call to action via Facebook, Twitter, blogs- however you can get the word out.