State of Guatemalan adoptions

There has been so much news in the past week regarding the future of Guatemalan adoptions. I have wanted to post about it, but have struggled to figure out how to capture all the complexities. Today, I saw that someone from the adoption community has put together a website to talk about the issues.

Please, please check it out.... http://www.5000orphans.com/

In quick summary, the day we heard we had our Embassy appt., the DOS (US Dept of State) issued a statement regarding the immediate future of adoptions from Guatemela. There has been much of this in the last months....but this one being more immediate- stating that effective 12/31/07 adoptions have the possibility of being halted. Even ones currently in process (in PGN). In the past there was talk of in process cases being grandfathered in. There are currently about 5000 in process cases- that is not only 5000 families who have already fell in love with their son or daughter- but more importantly 5000 babies who's lives hang in the balance- as talk of transition and changes occur.

We are so thankful that we are bringing Samuel home. Legally, he is our son- he has our last name and Guatemala has finalized our adoption. We are at the end of the long process- now we just have to travel and pick up his visa from the US Embassy. One the day that brought such closure and relief to us and many of you who have journeyed with us, brought chaos and fear to many waiting.

And we know so many families who are devastated as they face the possibility of not bringing their child home. And we know our own past fear and uncertainty as we would hear rumors of change. Right after we accepted our referral in Feb, our agency stopped giving referrals for a few weeks after the news that as of April 1st cases would cease. Thankfully they didn't.....but I know I had a glimpse of what mothers in process now are feeling- with more intensity than I did.

Please pray- pray for those facing such uncertainty, pray for wisdom, pray for governments, pray for all in process cases to be completed, pray for smooth transitions to a new system, pray for health and care of children who are threatned to be abandoned in the process. Samuel's future brother or sister may be impacted by these prayers. Children of our friends definitely will be.

melanie