Our agency is just really awesome - to actually respond to things on a weekend and help us out through all the craziness - NOT many if any would do that.
I'm very thankful for the staff and their experience and just them overall.
HOpe everyone is survivng the heat and humidity - but while we have fans and AC units - think and pray for all the kids being moved around by the orphanage closures - being moved south where there is a drought and help take care of them.
enjoy a blessed Saturday
Gail
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
anonymous commenter
to the anonymous commenter - I"d love to talk to you privately - please email me at gmbackus@hotmail.com I'd like to find out where you got your info and have more info myself before I contact the agency.
but it is bothersome.
gail
but it is bothersome.
gail
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Ugh- not good
Ok- just read another blog - so to have court you must have a letter from the government agency - if its not there, the judge still sees you and you pass after you get home when the letter is there Well it sounds like the government has changed this! So this family flew all the way there - and were told the letter wasn't there - and they would not be seen! they do not know if this will get there before they leave - they may have to stay longer OR go back - it could take months!
Just crazy - no notice - just decided to make this family the first for this.
NOT good at all - I'm so confused
Just crazy - no notice - just decided to make this family the first for this.
NOT good at all - I'm so confused
More confusion with closures
Ok- I found this new blog - http://etorphanage.blogspot.com/ - it lists a lot of the agencies communications - pretty scary - sounds like even MORE closures.
anyhow we were told today that all the kids from closed orphanages are going into a temporary place and then ALL will be returned to their families! If the families do not want them, then they go back to an orphanage and will be back in the adoption process. So they could become available? Not sure - it could start in a month - not sure if that means we will know in a month or they start moving them in a month - I have a feeling it will be MONTHS.
no one has asked us out right - what do we want to do right now- I'm torn - Craig had originally gone one way and now another. I go back and forth - both of us agree - having a legal and ethical adoption is priority #1 - I do not want any questions in our minds that this little boy wasn't still wanted or able to be cared for by his family.
So we will see - I'm gonna just pray - please pray for guidance on all this for us as well.
Most of all - please continue to pray for ALL the kids - I am imagining LOTS of kids- this is a mess - and so many closures - it seems like in my personal opinion that maybe they are doing this to "take a stance" and "whip" places into shape - and I respect that - sometimes a drastic move is required to get the action needed for the outcome that is desired. And I highly respect that the country is doing things so that its in the kids best interests.
I do worry about the moving the kids back and forth and taking them from caretakers and "homes" they've only known - so we will see
anyhow - pray for the kids
thanks
Gail
anyhow we were told today that all the kids from closed orphanages are going into a temporary place and then ALL will be returned to their families! If the families do not want them, then they go back to an orphanage and will be back in the adoption process. So they could become available? Not sure - it could start in a month - not sure if that means we will know in a month or they start moving them in a month - I have a feeling it will be MONTHS.
no one has asked us out right - what do we want to do right now- I'm torn - Craig had originally gone one way and now another. I go back and forth - both of us agree - having a legal and ethical adoption is priority #1 - I do not want any questions in our minds that this little boy wasn't still wanted or able to be cared for by his family.
So we will see - I'm gonna just pray - please pray for guidance on all this for us as well.
Most of all - please continue to pray for ALL the kids - I am imagining LOTS of kids- this is a mess - and so many closures - it seems like in my personal opinion that maybe they are doing this to "take a stance" and "whip" places into shape - and I respect that - sometimes a drastic move is required to get the action needed for the outcome that is desired. And I highly respect that the country is doing things so that its in the kids best interests.
I do worry about the moving the kids back and forth and taking them from caretakers and "homes" they've only known - so we will see
anyhow - pray for the kids
thanks
Gail
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Referral and K updates -he'd be 11 months today
Well the other family and I heard from the agency today - they have sent an agency rep that is in country (any agency must have offices and staff in ET - so that's great in my mind) - anyhow one of the employees (one of the ones we always hear bout - think this person is the head one) - went to the southern region with another family today - and went to the government offices to fight for our boys - to see what can happen to return the referral back on I guess. No word on the outcome - but it sounds like this is the ONLY 3 cases and the only agency that had referrals that were already in the court systems cancelled or voided.
so please continue to pray -
I also have made contact with another family that used to live really close to where we live - and only a few miles away! They just brought their son home in the last few weeks - amazing! Hope to get to know them -
anyhow - its been a week of just lots of bad news for this family - we need prayers for strength and continued faith! For us to just trust God and know our child is out there and that K and all the other kids are taken care of
Today K would be 11 months - granted we picked his birthday- but 11 months old. Happy birthday my dear boy - whether I end up being your mommy for ever or not - I love you no matter what you are a beautiful baby and will always have a part of my heart!
Love wanna be mommy
so please continue to pray -
I also have made contact with another family that used to live really close to where we live - and only a few miles away! They just brought their son home in the last few weeks - amazing! Hope to get to know them -
anyhow - its been a week of just lots of bad news for this family - we need prayers for strength and continued faith! For us to just trust God and know our child is out there and that K and all the other kids are taken care of
Today K would be 11 months - granted we picked his birthday- but 11 months old. Happy birthday my dear boy - whether I end up being your mommy for ever or not - I love you no matter what you are a beautiful baby and will always have a part of my heart!
Love wanna be mommy
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
New term - adoption miscarriage
All
thank you for the prayers, thoughts, you name it - I can't express how much it helps. As two friends have told me today - this is a lot like a miscarriage - I've decided its an adoption miscarriage - just crazy. I am mourning a child I"ve never met - but so in love with.
anyhow - below is a post from our agency today - they explain it better than I ever could -
Gail
Dear Families~
We have been informed that the government in Southern Ethiopia shut down 15 orphanages in the Awassa area in the last week. Obviously, many agencies, including us, have been affected by this. One of the orphanages is the Awassa location of EnatAlem. We have worked with this location for quite a while and have received many referrals from there. It is difficult to hear that they have been closed. Another orphanage that was shut down was EVADO. This is an orphanage we have also worked with for a long time, although, over the last 6 months or so, our trust level with the director has deteriorated significantly and we did not plan to continue working with this orphanage anyway.
The effects of the closings are:
1- The children in these orphanages have been moved to a different orphanage. It is so difficult knowing that after they all have already had to make adjustments, at least one time, to the orphanage, they now need to make new adjustments to a new orphanage. We are unsure if these children will be adoptable and if so, how much time it will take to proceed with their adoptions.
2-We have three families that accepted referrals in the last 3-4 weeks from Awassa EnatAlem. The government required these children be brought back to Awassa and, from the information we have now, they will not be able to proceed with the adoptions. This has been really difficult news for them to hear and, even more so, to understand. That being said, these families responded with graciousness.
3-We will not have a way to ensure that birth families will be able to access post adoption reports of children that have been adopted through these orphanages. The procedure is to send four reports to Ethiopia (for government, AAI-ET office, orphanage, & birth parent). When the reports arrive at our office in Ethiopia, one is submitted to the government office, one is filed, and the other two are sent to the orphanage. The birth parent then has the opportunity to come to the orphanage to get his/her copy of the report. If the orphanage is closed, we do not have a place to send them. In theory, birth parents could still obtain a report if they had a way to get to Addis to get one, however, it is not realistic to think they would have the means to do this.
Right now we have very little facts and lots of questions about the "whys" and the "whats" of these shutdowns. We will continue to posts any new information we learn.
One question many of you might have is "What orphanages are we currently working with?" We continue to work with a good amount of orphanages and are excited this. I plan to post a list later today to inform you of the specific names & locations of our current orphanages.
Please keep the children and families affected by these shutdowns in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks,
thank you for the prayers, thoughts, you name it - I can't express how much it helps. As two friends have told me today - this is a lot like a miscarriage - I've decided its an adoption miscarriage - just crazy. I am mourning a child I"ve never met - but so in love with.
anyhow - below is a post from our agency today - they explain it better than I ever could -
Gail
Dear Families~
We have been informed that the government in Southern Ethiopia shut down 15 orphanages in the Awassa area in the last week. Obviously, many agencies, including us, have been affected by this. One of the orphanages is the Awassa location of EnatAlem. We have worked with this location for quite a while and have received many referrals from there. It is difficult to hear that they have been closed. Another orphanage that was shut down was EVADO. This is an orphanage we have also worked with for a long time, although, over the last 6 months or so, our trust level with the director has deteriorated significantly and we did not plan to continue working with this orphanage anyway.
The effects of the closings are:
1- The children in these orphanages have been moved to a different orphanage. It is so difficult knowing that after they all have already had to make adjustments, at least one time, to the orphanage, they now need to make new adjustments to a new orphanage. We are unsure if these children will be adoptable and if so, how much time it will take to proceed with their adoptions.
2-We have three families that accepted referrals in the last 3-4 weeks from Awassa EnatAlem. The government required these children be brought back to Awassa and, from the information we have now, they will not be able to proceed with the adoptions. This has been really difficult news for them to hear and, even more so, to understand. That being said, these families responded with graciousness.
3-We will not have a way to ensure that birth families will be able to access post adoption reports of children that have been adopted through these orphanages. The procedure is to send four reports to Ethiopia (for government, AAI-ET office, orphanage, & birth parent). When the reports arrive at our office in Ethiopia, one is submitted to the government office, one is filed, and the other two are sent to the orphanage. The birth parent then has the opportunity to come to the orphanage to get his/her copy of the report. If the orphanage is closed, we do not have a place to send them. In theory, birth parents could still obtain a report if they had a way to get to Addis to get one, however, it is not realistic to think they would have the means to do this.
Right now we have very little facts and lots of questions about the "whys" and the "whats" of these shutdowns. We will continue to posts any new information we learn.
One question many of you might have is "What orphanages are we currently working with?" We continue to work with a good amount of orphanages and are excited this. I plan to post a list later today to inform you of the specific names & locations of our current orphanages.
Please keep the children and families affected by these shutdowns in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks,
Monday, July 18, 2011
Loss of our referral - please pray
Hi all - well sad news today - the ET gov't is shutting down MORE orphanages 15 in the last few days. Well one is from the south where our little guy was originally (he's not now - he's in Enet Alem in Addis Ababa). Anyhow - the original one is being shut down and the gov't wants him back! He's being returned and his referral to us has basically been voided from what we were told today.
Honestly - I don't know that I heard everything - so Sally if you read this - sorry - just in shock and trying as hard as I could NOT to totally break down on the call - didn't succeed to well - but I tried. The agency has never seen this before - but it seems like a lot of things have never been seen.
so as we stand now - we are BACK on the wait list - I keep hearing from LOTS Of others people that there "is possible hope' - but they went to court and the judge said no - so we'll see.
right now other families that got the same call today - we are trying to have people pray - pray long, hard - pray for our boys! Pray for the kids - they are being torn from the caregivers they know and love - and being moved again! Pray that they are taken care of - they are in a great place now - and its all the unknowns. Or little guy will be 11 months old this week - so please pray he's taken care of.
Pray for strength for our family.
anyhow - from what we can tell - they shut down the agencies due to corruption - either by the directors or in some cases the local government officials! some of the rumors are they just want to make a big statement and shut a bunch down in the region! so not really that they are all bad - and in lots of cases I've heard the orphanages were really nice places and took great care of the kids - so its one or two people that have set these kids back AGAIN! Now I do want an ethical adoption - I agree that paying someone to take their child or stealing them is wrong - but in many cases - they are all on the up and up. so just pray -
I guess I'll up date our ticker to reflect today's set back.
at least now our shots will all be effective if and when we get to travel - clearly not anytime soon!
anyhow - keep little K and the other kids in your prayers - 3 boys total from our agency - they need loving homes!
Thanks
Gail
Honestly - I don't know that I heard everything - so Sally if you read this - sorry - just in shock and trying as hard as I could NOT to totally break down on the call - didn't succeed to well - but I tried. The agency has never seen this before - but it seems like a lot of things have never been seen.
so as we stand now - we are BACK on the wait list - I keep hearing from LOTS Of others people that there "is possible hope' - but they went to court and the judge said no - so we'll see.
right now other families that got the same call today - we are trying to have people pray - pray long, hard - pray for our boys! Pray for the kids - they are being torn from the caregivers they know and love - and being moved again! Pray that they are taken care of - they are in a great place now - and its all the unknowns. Or little guy will be 11 months old this week - so please pray he's taken care of.
Pray for strength for our family.
anyhow - from what we can tell - they shut down the agencies due to corruption - either by the directors or in some cases the local government officials! some of the rumors are they just want to make a big statement and shut a bunch down in the region! so not really that they are all bad - and in lots of cases I've heard the orphanages were really nice places and took great care of the kids - so its one or two people that have set these kids back AGAIN! Now I do want an ethical adoption - I agree that paying someone to take their child or stealing them is wrong - but in many cases - they are all on the up and up. so just pray -
I guess I'll up date our ticker to reflect today's set back.
at least now our shots will all be effective if and when we get to travel - clearly not anytime soon!
anyhow - keep little K and the other kids in your prayers - 3 boys total from our agency - they need loving homes!
Thanks
Gail
Saturday, July 16, 2011
useful info for all ET adoption and travel - another blog
Just a good blog I found - it looks like its pretty public - so hopefully they don't mind - if they do - sorry and let me know - but the buttons are available to share - so who knows.
but for those traveling - I glanced VERY Quickly at the travel list and other items for travel -
just looks like TONS of useful info.
Good luck
but for those traveling - I glanced VERY Quickly at the travel list and other items for travel -
just looks like TONS of useful info.
Good luck
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
15 letters / day????
Well I don't know 100% sure yet - but I saw some yahoo group posts that it may be true - but again - NOT confirmed - but I hear that MOWA is now up to 15 letters/day!!!! Yeah - moving on up - much better than the 5! and maybe during shut down - they can get caught up!
still no word on any court dates - but people that got referrals in early June are getting calls this week - so we'll see. Maybe we'll get a known date before closure - still assuming it will be AFTER rainy season closure - so we'll see.
anyhow - some random thoughts - blogs are pretty cool - its awesome to pose a question and have people help with answers - I love it! so thanks for the responses last night on what to do for shots - found a clinic and the lady calling me was so nice! She called me yesterday and was helpful most were - but it was good. all the prices are all over the board - but it seemed to work out almost even between the two places that take adults AND kids. and we can do this without bringing Nate this Friday - yeah!
well at the moment I'm fighting a migraine - my vision is fuzzy - ha and I"m trying to type and can't see half of what I am typing - so hopefully its not too bad - I think its probably better than normal - go figure.
so just getting crazy nervous about everything - -
figured out finances officially today - took the leap - probably part of the migraine - but everything will work out - I have to have faith!
thanks for all the prayers and support.
have a good evening -
gail
PS - I posted my immunization stuff on some yahoo group sand saw tongs of replies too - now I have to try and see to read them - ha
still no word on any court dates - but people that got referrals in early June are getting calls this week - so we'll see. Maybe we'll get a known date before closure - still assuming it will be AFTER rainy season closure - so we'll see.
anyhow - some random thoughts - blogs are pretty cool - its awesome to pose a question and have people help with answers - I love it! so thanks for the responses last night on what to do for shots - found a clinic and the lady calling me was so nice! She called me yesterday and was helpful most were - but it was good. all the prices are all over the board - but it seemed to work out almost even between the two places that take adults AND kids. and we can do this without bringing Nate this Friday - yeah!
well at the moment I'm fighting a migraine - my vision is fuzzy - ha and I"m trying to type and can't see half of what I am typing - so hopefully its not too bad - I think its probably better than normal - go figure.
so just getting crazy nervous about everything - -
figured out finances officially today - took the leap - probably part of the migraine - but everything will work out - I have to have faith!
thanks for all the prayers and support.
have a good evening -
gail
PS - I posted my immunization stuff on some yahoo group sand saw tongs of replies too - now I have to try and see to read them - ha
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Immunizations to travel - HELP
Ok - we need help or advice -
we must have a few immunizations before we travel - I"m getting conflicting information from all sorts of places - anyone out there know anything - PLEASE comment here and we can touch base or email me a gmbackus@Hotmail.com
anyhow - trip 1 - we will travel south so I know yellow fever (need the yellow card) and probably typhoid. but then there is malaria pills, Hep A, Hep B, tetnus and a few other things I know Nate gets as routine - we may need boosters.
the health department doesn't have these things - some but not the big ones and the costs vary from $50 - $155 for a yellow fever shot -its insane! Just insane! we need to actually take out a loan to get our shots covered - yes crazy - but what can we do. Oh well.
so any one have advice - we want to be protected - but not sure we "need" everything - but also don't want to get sick traveling either or getting our kids sick.
Nate's lucky - honestly don't think he will need anything - he's all caught up and he won't travels south!
Crazy.
thanks
Gail
we must have a few immunizations before we travel - I"m getting conflicting information from all sorts of places - anyone out there know anything - PLEASE comment here and we can touch base or email me a gmbackus@Hotmail.com
anyhow - trip 1 - we will travel south so I know yellow fever (need the yellow card) and probably typhoid. but then there is malaria pills, Hep A, Hep B, tetnus and a few other things I know Nate gets as routine - we may need boosters.
the health department doesn't have these things - some but not the big ones and the costs vary from $50 - $155 for a yellow fever shot -its insane! Just insane! we need to actually take out a loan to get our shots covered - yes crazy - but what can we do. Oh well.
so any one have advice - we want to be protected - but not sure we "need" everything - but also don't want to get sick traveling either or getting our kids sick.
Nate's lucky - honestly don't think he will need anything - he's all caught up and he won't travels south!
Crazy.
thanks
Gail
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Happy Birthday to Nate - my big 7 year old
Wow - he's actually 7 today - I can't believe it - technically not till about 6:28 pm tonight - but still. try explaining THAT to a 7 year old - ha! we actually had to open his first present last night and opened half of them this morning - yeah mom's a stealth shopper -lots of little things he wanted -all wrapped separately makes it look like a huge stash! but since he's a great kid - he loves it all.
so later today - we're headed to Flp City - a gymnastics place - mostly to play in the "foam pits" - gonna be a blast. I was hopiong to jump in too -b ut somehow hurt my knee yesterday while at work - well not work related for any safety people - I won't become a recordable injury - just started acting up at work. Oh well.
so I just am so thrilled - and we were talking this morning that Curt will be here for his next bday we hope - and we will miss Curt's 1st bday next month - so we'll have to give him a big "2nd bday" party with all the family next year! can't wait.
anyhow - I"m lucky and blessed to have such a great boy here and one on the way - Nate's an awesome kid - smart, funny and just a good kid! and Truly a "gift from God" is what his name means -
Lots of errands to do to get ready today - but it will be worth it - hopefully I can get pictures to post late -
and just a side note of adoption whoes' - man its just frustrating how different agencies have totally different wait times. I'm really tired of it all - I want my friend to get her referral NOW - not in a few months. so I'll continue to pray that they get their call - its just so weird how agencies do things very differently. all are good in their different ways - but still just keep praying for my friends.
enjoy this gorgeous day -
Gail
so later today - we're headed to Flp City - a gymnastics place - mostly to play in the "foam pits" - gonna be a blast. I was hopiong to jump in too -b ut somehow hurt my knee yesterday while at work - well not work related for any safety people - I won't become a recordable injury - just started acting up at work. Oh well.
so I just am so thrilled - and we were talking this morning that Curt will be here for his next bday we hope - and we will miss Curt's 1st bday next month - so we'll have to give him a big "2nd bday" party with all the family next year! can't wait.
anyhow - I"m lucky and blessed to have such a great boy here and one on the way - Nate's an awesome kid - smart, funny and just a good kid! and Truly a "gift from God" is what his name means -
Lots of errands to do to get ready today - but it will be worth it - hopefully I can get pictures to post late -
and just a side note of adoption whoes' - man its just frustrating how different agencies have totally different wait times. I'm really tired of it all - I want my friend to get her referral NOW - not in a few months. so I'll continue to pray that they get their call - its just so weird how agencies do things very differently. all are good in their different ways - but still just keep praying for my friends.
enjoy this gorgeous day -
Gail
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Test
Testing........
I noticed that the blog wasn't feeding through to Facebook, so I made a change and wanted to see if it would work.
Craig
I noticed that the blog wasn't feeding through to Facebook, so I made a change and wanted to see if it would work.
Craig
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Fresh Air Children - they need your assistance
All
Craig and I were contacted by Fresh Air Children- its an organization that allows kids from a city to go stay in the country to get fresh air and see what life is all about out there in the country. Personally - growing up in the country - well sorta- I think its an awesome idea. The program is looking for host families to host kids for 2 weeks this summer and give them an opportunity to get out of the city and get some fresh air.
Please check out the website linked above - or http://freshairfundhost.org
If anyone else can figure out how to post their banners and such - that would be great. I'm going to try and get that on here as well.
Gail
Craig and I were contacted by Fresh Air Children- its an organization that allows kids from a city to go stay in the country to get fresh air and see what life is all about out there in the country. Personally - growing up in the country - well sorta- I think its an awesome idea. The program is looking for host families to host kids for 2 weeks this summer and give them an opportunity to get out of the city and get some fresh air.
Please check out the website linked above - or http://freshairfundhost.org
If anyone else can figure out how to post their banners and such - that would be great. I'm going to try and get that on here as well.
Gail
Sunday, July 03, 2011
what's in a name
wow - why is it so hard to choose a name for our little guy. Not sure why its so hard - we had names picked out if we had gotten pg on our own - but things change. we had some names - I guess everyone had their own likes - so our mission this weekend was to pick a name.
as we discussed it over and over this weekend - it kept changing.
I think we have one - its not 100% for me but its growing on me - we'll just have to wait and see . I just feel its very important for our little guy - we love his name and plan to keep it for his middle name - so we want to honor that and make sure its something he can have for life. at least Craig and I agree on a few things - that are just important in the naming for the two of us. we'll see. we want something classic or not too common - so we'll see.
It helped that we were at a nice tourist place this weekend - Frankenmuth, MI -so all these "name" or personalized stuff. we found a few - Nate is a rare name - don't think we've ever saw that in one of these places - occasionally we have found Nathaniel - so we get it - looking to see if we can find something like that. we like a "long" name for the full name and something short for the every day name.
Oh well - we'll get it - we've at least got pictures and I know we'll find his name - Craig really likes Curtis - and we'll call him Curt - Nate likes it too - I do as well too - just trying to look at his picture and see if he looks like a Curt - he does look like a Curtis!
I know - stressing over the little things - but its something he will need to live with forever! but we did find some nice Christmas ornaments from or celebrating Africa - looked for the Ethiopian flag - didnt' find it -but we'll find one.
Oh - and for those in the Detroit area - if you go to the Blue Nile restaurant in Ferndale, MI tomorrow - all proceeds go to the military - Blue NIle is an Ethiopian restaurant in the metro area.
happy 4th of July
Gail
as we discussed it over and over this weekend - it kept changing.
I think we have one - its not 100% for me but its growing on me - we'll just have to wait and see . I just feel its very important for our little guy - we love his name and plan to keep it for his middle name - so we want to honor that and make sure its something he can have for life. at least Craig and I agree on a few things - that are just important in the naming for the two of us. we'll see. we want something classic or not too common - so we'll see.
It helped that we were at a nice tourist place this weekend - Frankenmuth, MI -so all these "name" or personalized stuff. we found a few - Nate is a rare name - don't think we've ever saw that in one of these places - occasionally we have found Nathaniel - so we get it - looking to see if we can find something like that. we like a "long" name for the full name and something short for the every day name.
Oh well - we'll get it - we've at least got pictures and I know we'll find his name - Craig really likes Curtis - and we'll call him Curt - Nate likes it too - I do as well too - just trying to look at his picture and see if he looks like a Curt - he does look like a Curtis!
I know - stressing over the little things - but its something he will need to live with forever! but we did find some nice Christmas ornaments from or celebrating Africa - looked for the Ethiopian flag - didnt' find it -but we'll find one.
Oh - and for those in the Detroit area - if you go to the Blue Nile restaurant in Ferndale, MI tomorrow - all proceeds go to the military - Blue NIle is an Ethiopian restaurant in the metro area.
happy 4th of July
Gail
Friday, July 01, 2011
June Updates from AAIi
June Updates - amazing. So I know us and one other person announced their acceptance of a referral - not sure who the other families are - but would love to talk to them or meet them. Especially with the little boy. close too Karesso's age! Love it.
anyhow - Its a new month - they still think per this post its possible we travel in August - not sure if that will work out - we shall see. Guess we should get a dr appointment and then get our immunizations. Its a lot longer for the 2nd trip - but guess the US Embassy is doing more research too - which is good. Still praying we bring him home THIS year - may not be if we travel in October - so we will see.
Keep the prayers going for all of these families and kids -especially the children waiting for their forever homes. And their families that are so heroic to give them up so that they can live and have a fruitful life.
Gail
Post from AAI
Dear Families~
We hope your summer is off to a good start. Michigan can be pretty brutal during the winter months, to the point where I question the reasoning for living here......but summer really makes up for it! We have had some "perfect" summer days....sunny, low 80's, with a bit of humidity...aah....
We continue to have a great amount of activity...more referrals, lots of court dates scheduled, and lots of families planning travel.
# of dossiers sent to Ethiopia - 3
# of referrals -5
# of adoptions finalized - 2
# of children brought home - 1
Referrals - The 5 children referred were 2 infant boys, 1 infant girl, 1 2 yr old girl, and 1 7 yr. old boy
Families Traveling~ We have one family in Ethiopia right now and eight more leaving sometime in the next two weeks! All of these families are traveling for their first trip and will be meeting their children for the first time! Please pray for safe travel and wonderful experiences for them while in Ethiopia.
Current Situation in Ethiopia - There is no new news to report since the last update I posted a couple weeks ago. This is a recap: The courts are opposed to MOWYCA only completing 5 cases per day, MOWYCA announced they have increase the number to 10 per day intend to increase this number to 15 over the next few months.
Letters of consent from MOWYCA- So far, we have only had two court hearings since the original announcement made by MOWYCA. The letters for these two cases were submitted two weeks after the court hearing took place. It is expected that the families will bring their children home late July or early August. If things go as planned, the time between their two trips will be 8-10 weeks.
Court Closure - We still do not know the exact dates of the closure coming up but expect it to be from the second week of August through September. We are currently waiting to hear court dates for four families and are hopeful that the dates will be prior to the closure. Please understand that just because a court-hearing might take place prior to the closure does not mean that the adoption will be finalized prior to the closure. If a family attends court and their testimony is approved, the adoption will be finalized, pending the letter of consent from MOWYCA. This letter might be at court the day of the hearing, but might not be there for several weeks (or even months) after court.
Referrals will continue to be given during the court closure, however, a court case will not be able to be opened. Families are also able to travel for their embassy appointment during the court closure.
Wait List-
2, male & female, 0-5yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1, female, 1-3yrs
1, male, 4-5yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-2yrs
2, male, 1-4yrs
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
2, male or female, 0-24mths
1, female, 0-2.5 yrs
1, male, 0-18mths
Please note that a family may change their preferences in regards to age and gender at any time, therefore, anything on this list could change on any given day.
Please let us know if you have questions on this information or anything else.
Happy 4th of July!
anyhow - Its a new month - they still think per this post its possible we travel in August - not sure if that will work out - we shall see. Guess we should get a dr appointment and then get our immunizations. Its a lot longer for the 2nd trip - but guess the US Embassy is doing more research too - which is good. Still praying we bring him home THIS year - may not be if we travel in October - so we will see.
Keep the prayers going for all of these families and kids -especially the children waiting for their forever homes. And their families that are so heroic to give them up so that they can live and have a fruitful life.
Gail
Post from AAI
Dear Families~
We hope your summer is off to a good start. Michigan can be pretty brutal during the winter months, to the point where I question the reasoning for living here......but summer really makes up for it! We have had some "perfect" summer days....sunny, low 80's, with a bit of humidity...aah....
We continue to have a great amount of activity...more referrals, lots of court dates scheduled, and lots of families planning travel.
# of dossiers sent to Ethiopia - 3
# of referrals -5
# of adoptions finalized - 2
# of children brought home - 1
Referrals - The 5 children referred were 2 infant boys, 1 infant girl, 1 2 yr old girl, and 1 7 yr. old boy
Families Traveling~ We have one family in Ethiopia right now and eight more leaving sometime in the next two weeks! All of these families are traveling for their first trip and will be meeting their children for the first time! Please pray for safe travel and wonderful experiences for them while in Ethiopia.
Current Situation in Ethiopia - There is no new news to report since the last update I posted a couple weeks ago. This is a recap: The courts are opposed to MOWYCA only completing 5 cases per day, MOWYCA announced they have increase the number to 10 per day intend to increase this number to 15 over the next few months.
Letters of consent from MOWYCA- So far, we have only had two court hearings since the original announcement made by MOWYCA. The letters for these two cases were submitted two weeks after the court hearing took place. It is expected that the families will bring their children home late July or early August. If things go as planned, the time between their two trips will be 8-10 weeks.
Court Closure - We still do not know the exact dates of the closure coming up but expect it to be from the second week of August through September. We are currently waiting to hear court dates for four families and are hopeful that the dates will be prior to the closure. Please understand that just because a court-hearing might take place prior to the closure does not mean that the adoption will be finalized prior to the closure. If a family attends court and their testimony is approved, the adoption will be finalized, pending the letter of consent from MOWYCA. This letter might be at court the day of the hearing, but might not be there for several weeks (or even months) after court.
Referrals will continue to be given during the court closure, however, a court case will not be able to be opened. Families are also able to travel for their embassy appointment during the court closure.
Wait List-
2, male & female, 0-5yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1, female, 1-3yrs
1, male, 4-5yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-2yrs
2, male, 1-4yrs
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
2, male or female, 0-24mths
1, female, 0-2.5 yrs
1, male, 0-18mths
Please note that a family may change their preferences in regards to age and gender at any time, therefore, anything on this list could change on any given day.
Please let us know if you have questions on this information or anything else.
Happy 4th of July!
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