We need your prayers!

As my dear friend Andrea from babeofmyheart.com posted yesterday, we are to CAST OUR CARES UPON THE LORD.  And that is what we are doing in this uncertain time in our adoption journey.  He knows that our hearts and minds are troubled by the sudden news that Ethiopia may be drastically cutting their intercountry adoptions by even 90% and He knows the outcome. We are casting this situation upon Him because He can be trusted. Even when our feeble minds want to try to figure this out, He is in control and He loves these Ethiopian children more than we do and He also wants what is best for them. Please join with us in prayer as we "CAST" this potential new adoption policy change upon our Lord and trust Him in whatever the outcome. 

. Psalm 55:22a " Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." 1 Peter 5:7" Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 

Post from Tom DiFilipo, Executive Director of JCICS

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.

This is an urgent matter and we are asking for prayers, that God would overturn this possible policy change so that these children may come home quickly to their families! 

What you can do in addition to praying:

1)      Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION CLICK HERE

God has shown us in so many ways that our daughter will be brought into our family from Ethiopia and we have such a passion for all the orphaned children of this country. We are trusting our God who is Mighty and who goes before us in paving the way for HIS plan to be fulfilled in our lives! 

We know that God's desire is to see His orphaned children in loving families and we also know that Satan would love nothing more than to destroy the adoptions of Ethiopian children. We are standing firm on the promises He has given to us in His word!

 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9