We received a package from Holt today enclosed with a DVD video. The video is a recording of the children and staff participating in a Christmas celebration at the care center in Addis Ababa. We were amazed at the condition of the care center and how big it looks. Our friend told us that it appears to be one of the nicer orphanages in Addis. We counted about 20 children, and almost as many adults. They had given the children party hats and noise makers, which get a little unbearable after the first five minutes. They continued their celebration with songs, a teaching, and of course cake because no holiday is complete until the dessert is brought out!
The video definitely stirred a yearning within our hearts. To see all of the beautiful children and contemplate the need that each one of them has. The need for a home, health care, for education, for a family, for someone to love and love them. Our hearts ached at the reality of not being able to do more, of not being in a place where we could bring more than one child home.
So we fervently pray for more families to feel lead to advocate and care for the orphans and we anxiously await the day when we will see video of our little one.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Words of Encouragement
We received an e-mail today from one of Micah's family members. The e-mail was a follow up to a conversation we had with them over Christmas break. We had shared with them some of the struggles we were encountering in our personal life and the discouragement we were feeling surrounding the adoption.
The e-mail we received was such an encouragement because it reminded us that we don't want to go through this process alone, that we want to go through it with our family and friends. It meant so much to us to know that despite the distant in our families, they are willing to continually pray for us and our baby, petitioning on our behalf.
We know that this doesn't properly convey our gratefulness and how impacted we were by the e-mail, but it felt like a breath of fresh air and made the burden we have been feeling a little lighter.
The e-mail we received was such an encouragement because it reminded us that we don't want to go through this process alone, that we want to go through it with our family and friends. It meant so much to us to know that despite the distant in our families, they are willing to continually pray for us and our baby, petitioning on our behalf.
We know that this doesn't properly convey our gratefulness and how impacted we were by the e-mail, but it felt like a breath of fresh air and made the burden we have been feeling a little lighter.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Family Preservation
We received an update from our agency today. Typically the updates contain information about the number of referrals, any changes that are taking place within the program, and other items relating to the process. Within this update, they provided information about additional humanitarian work that they are hoping to establish within Ethiopia.
Holt works hard to create programs within each country to preserve families. See, they are NOT just about adopting as many little children as possible to as many American families as possible.
In 2008 Holt was able to renovate and re-open a medical clinic. They will be training the medical staff of one doctor and several nurses to provide a wide range of care to children. Even more exciting news, in addition to providing basic medical care, the women within the community will have a safe and clean place to birth children.
In addition to the medical clinic, Holt worked diligently to establish a Family Preservation Program. This program will work with families to provide them assistance in becoming more self-reliant and maintain the birth family. Through this program they have been able to reunite 30 children with their families!
Even though we feel that things have slowed down for us, we have been encouraged by the efforts made on behalf of Holt to continue acting in the BEST interest of the child. This affirms our decision to work with this agency and reminds us that they are not just working for the adoptive family, but for the child's family as well.
Holt works hard to create programs within each country to preserve families. See, they are NOT just about adopting as many little children as possible to as many American families as possible.
In 2008 Holt was able to renovate and re-open a medical clinic. They will be training the medical staff of one doctor and several nurses to provide a wide range of care to children. Even more exciting news, in addition to providing basic medical care, the women within the community will have a safe and clean place to birth children.
In addition to the medical clinic, Holt worked diligently to establish a Family Preservation Program. This program will work with families to provide them assistance in becoming more self-reliant and maintain the birth family. Through this program they have been able to reunite 30 children with their families!
Even though we feel that things have slowed down for us, we have been encouraged by the efforts made on behalf of Holt to continue acting in the BEST interest of the child. This affirms our decision to work with this agency and reminds us that they are not just working for the adoptive family, but for the child's family as well.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Changes
Here is a little information about what is currently happening in Ethiopia. We received an e-mail today from our friend with the link to this article. We hope that this doesn't affect work supporting orphanages and families too much.
The article discusses how the Ethiopian government is choosing to outlaw work done by independent human rights organizations.
The article discusses how the Ethiopian government is choosing to outlaw work done by independent human rights organizations.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A Valley
Lately, I feel like I have been going through a rough spot with this adoption. I feel as if everything has come to a screeching halt and it is just one thing after another that continues to slow us down. I feel so discouraged. I am trying to keep a positive outlook, to keep the faith, but that feel so difficult, so out of reach.
My heart aches.
My heart aches.
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