This news is really upsetting. I love that MOWA is trying to ensure that all adoptions from Ethiopia are on the up and up. Believe me I really do appreciate that. But it seems like making sure that systems are in place for providing support to struggling families would be the first step in this process, not slowing down the process to a snails pace. There are an estimated 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Last year the number of international adoptions rose significantly but at it's height only .05 - .10% of orphans were adopted internationally last year. There are so many children who need to be loved and cared for. It breaks my heart to know that there are going to be even more in the coming years.
My sister is in the process of adopting 2 boys from Ethiopia. They are just finishing up their dossier and are ready to be put on the wait list. I know several other families who are in process to adopt from Ethiopia. Please pray for peace and wisdom for their families.
For the last few months I've been thinking about how sad it is that there are so many orphans in Ethiopia and wishing that there were better solutions for those children. I've also been hearing about really great church planting movements that are spreading throughout Ethiopia. So my prayer has been for those churches to embrace orphan care.
Then the other day I stumbled on Seeds Adoption.
Seed Adoption is a pastoral training workshop that brings together influential pastors of evangelical churches from across a country to discuss (1) the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children, (2) a Biblical perspective centered on the gospel, adoption, and the local church, and (3) appropriate strategies to bring holistic and lasting change to the lives of orphaned children, all for the glory of God.
We believe that the gospel, when understood and applied, must work through the local church and in the lives of Christians to effect such change. Therefore, in order to help address the orphan crisis, the Seed Adoption training aims to create, maintain, and encourage a national conversation with the indigenous church.
YOU CAN HELP....
click here and you can help bring adoption to Ethiopian churches by sending a pastor this conference.
This is really a huge God thing for me. I have been praying and praying for something like this and it's happening. It couldn't come at a better time with this new process taking effect in the Ethiopia adoption process.
I have cried a few times since I read your posting from yesterday about the new "rules" for Ethiopian adoptions. JP & I were talking last night that they really need to work harder with the process - not do things to slow it down!! We are praying for the families who are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia and that the Lord would move their paperwork ahead quickly.
ReplyDeleteAs Christians we are commanded to take care of orphans, so we ALL need to be doing something. Either adopting, supporting those who are adopting financially and through prayer. And spreading the word about the children around the world who need forever families.
We will never forget the first picture we saw of Melia Serawit...and the pictures we see of her now. Such a difference the Lord has made in her life and the lives of your family of six!!