Where to begin. I probably should have blogged weeks ago about this, but I just couldn't bring myself to. Two weeks ago today we got a call from our agency to give us the heads up that it looked like Rwanda was closing the files of families who had gone past their 6 month mark with no referral. While we had been given info to the contrary 3 months before, it looked like they had changed their minds. While our file had not been officially closed, there had been a long lag in referrals. I spoke to our POA in Rwanda several times long distance over the phone. At first she was hopeful that with some persistent emails, the tide would turn. By the following Friday, she gave us the news that it didn't look like our adoption from Rwanda was going to happen any time in the near future, if at all.
We were heart broken to say the least. We mourned the loss of the child in Rwanda that was sitting in the orphanage, waiting for a family we wanted to desperately to give them. We prayed and I cried. Our agency was very understanding and sympathetic. They told us they would help us transfer to the Ethiopia program if we felt that was something we wanted to do. We prayed some more and I talked to our Rwanda POA again. I think it was her blessing that we transfer to Ethiopia that allowed us to make the final decision.
We informed our agency and the ball got rolling. Within the week we had filled out forms and been approved to the Ethiopia program. By Tuesday of this week, I had the necessary information to start the new "paper chase." I have to admit, having done it once already has made things much easier. Also, God's timing is so perfect, in that I have had spring break to work on it all. I have typed and scanned and emailed for days, and even had time to take the kids to the zoo twice!
As I write this, our dossier is almost complete. We just need our medical paperwork (appointments tomorrow!) our home study update (appointment Friday!) and then we re-apply to USCIS. Praying we can be done with the paperwork by May :)
Please continue to pray with us for our child. Obviously, God has different plans than we do some times, but we will continue to follow His call to adoption, where ever it takes us!
