Heavy Heart- Please Pray and Petition!

You know when you're just at a loss for words because you're almost too overwhelmed with emotions all over the spectrum to figure out a way to eloquently sum it up? That's me right now- and part of me doesn't want to even write this post for that very reason, but I NEED to because there is a much to be prayed over right now, and I KNOW that there is power in prayer!

As most of the adoption community already knows, there are some major changes that are about to take affect in Ethiopia regarding adoptions. While this news didn't completely blind side us since there had been some talk of possible changes earlier in the week, Joshua and I still held out hope that nothing would transpire of the rumors. Well, yesterday our hearts sank when our agency did in fact confirm that MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) was planning on taking some drastic measures that would cut intercountry adoptions up to 90%! Sigh... not what we wanted to hear. Here is the statement that was released yesterday:

Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia

Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week.

The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions.

The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years.

Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.

In response to this heart breaking news, Joint Council has put together THIS PETITION to present to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. We are in desperate need of signatures, currently there are about 13K signatures, but our agency has let us know that the NEED is to have at least 250,000 by Saturday in order for our voice to truly be heard! Click HERE to read more and sign! 

The US State Department also issued an OFFICIAL ALERT today as well. 

With all that being said, there are a couple clear thoughts that are still swirling around in my head that I want to make sure I mention. Most importantly... Joshua and I know that God's plans are far greater than our own! He's been writing this story from the beginning and we both trust and hold tight to the fact that He still has the pen in His hands! It's easy for me to want to come up with all our "what if" solutions of Plan A, B, and C- but the truth of the matter is, God is our PLAN A. We choose to look up rather then at the circumstances surrounding us. We pray for the Ministry's leadership over in Ethiopia right now, that they make wise decisions that are in the best interest of all the orphaned children, and that they are willing to partner with the government and other foundations in order to come up with another solution! We pray that God would be in the middle of it all! Most importantly we pray for all the children that this policy change will negatively affect as well as the families that are waiting on their court dates! We would be forever grateful for your prayers as well! As I said before, I KNOW there is power in prayer! 

Okay, that's all I have for now! I'll keep you posted as I know more!