truth in the unknown

The last couple of days have been interesting with unknowns with adoption in Ethiopia (please read the previous blog to learn about the circumstances, it is important). We have gained a better understanding of why people call adoption an emotional roller coaster. In the midst of all the unknowns I have been reminded of what I know is true.

The helpless put their trust in you.
You defend the orphans.
Psalm 10:14

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 10:17-18

God is the defender of the orphans.

I choose to trust that God defends the orphans. God cares more than I do for the orphans. He knows each orphan's name. He knows their need. His heart breaks when they hurt. God passionately loves them.

The word of God says, "He defends the cause of the fatherless." I choose to trust God. I believe God is defending the orphans in Ethiopia and all over the world.

Call to action

Yesterday, I was hopeful for our monthly update on our wait list numbers and instead we got a very different update. Please read through the blog. This is heavy on our hearts. Please also sign the petition that's mentioned.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) has announced a proposal to decrease the number of adoptions they will process and approve — 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.

The announcement of the proposal was very recent and no one knows exactly how these proposed changes will be implemented nor the full impact on Ethiopian adoption. We also do not know the impacts it will bring for us as a family.

To attempt to counteract this proposal, the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) has put a “Call to Action” in place. JCICS is an advocacy organization for families and agencies in the field of international adoption. Over the last few years JCICS have been very involved in Ethiopia and the result of this involvement has been very positive.

Please sign the petition and forward the information along to people. Many people care about Ethiopian adoption but are not informed of the situation.

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