Today we are exactly 9 months DTE (Dossier To Ethiopia). We received an email yesterday from the home office International team and it talks about the wait time. Our agency has stated that the approximate wait time for children 0-2 years is a wait time of 6-12 months from when a family's dossier was sent to ET. They are continuing to be within that time frame for waiting, but they are at the higher end of that time frame. It went on to say if you have a narrow preference, like a girl 0-6 months, you may be waiting longer than that time frame. So that gave a little bit of insight. We also watch and see how many referrals are coming out each month and referral numbers are down - the last two months there have only been 6 referrals each month. I have to wonder if there isn't more paper work required now on the front end, before a referral can be made. Nonetheless, God has the master plan. Though we are 9 months waiting, we know why and we are thankful for this time. But it's still hard to wait some days.
I was reading on the forum today, and found this piece posted by another family who is with the same agency as we, and was in ET in December. Here is the encouragement and a real look into the hearts of the many children who are waiting for forever families. This is like putting a face to the name - it makes it very real.
We are not the only ones praying
I almost never post, but reading all the requests for prayers I thought I would share this. This happened at Mussie when we were at court (12/8/10), others that were at court with us I would encourage them to share what they got out of this as well. Have kleenex ready you will be moved. Abel was upset he did not get to witness this also.
While we were at Mussie they orphanage staff had a man come into the orphanaage wearing a white coat similar to a Doctor's coat. When he yelled something all of the orphans responded with a different response no matter where they were in the orphanage. Some of the parents approached him and he told us that he is a laughter therapist and he is in the guiness book of world records for the longest laugh. We googled him and he does have the record for laughing the longest. The nannies took all of the orphans about age 4 and older and had them line up in about 4 rows facing us. This man then turned to us and said something like "Today you are blest because when an orphans prays God comes and you will get to feel the presence of God." Then he had an orphan I would guess who was about 6 years old come out and face the other orphans. All of the orphans covered their eyes and this little boy prayed for about 20 minutes in Ahmaric. Not one orphan got out of line and not one of them misbehaved, they all just stood there prarying with their fellow orphan. As luck would have it there was a couple adopting 2 boys who were Ethiopian and spoke fluent Ahmaric. The laughter therapist had them interpet for us what the orphan prayed for. We were then told by our fellow court attendee that this was the most amazing thing he had ever heard. The orphan prayed for the staff, for us, for protection for the staff and for us. He then at the end prayed for himself. He asked God to send him to a family that would take care of him. Give him good food to eat, a safe place to sleep, and love.
We truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. It also let me know that the orphans are also praying for us as much as we are praying for them. It made me more resolved to get through this process.
I hope this helps everyone who reads this to know that the ophans pray for us and their faith is incredible. It also the only thing they have. When you leave with your child from the orphange they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These orphans truly have given up everything they have and have put faith in our Lord.
God Bless and do not give up, it is worth everything you are doing to get your child home.
At times along this journey, it feels like only a dream. The seed for this journey was planted in our hearts 2 years ago. 1 year ago we completed our home study and now it has to be updated. 9 months ago our dossier was in ET. We pray. We study, we educate ourselves, we prepare our selves... after reading this, I am brought to my knees - the words just echo in my heart as I see in my mind these children lined up praying pure, faithful prayers asking their Abba Father to give them an earthly father. A forever family.
There are beautiful children waiting to be loved. Waiting to have a safe place to sleep. Food to eat. Please pray for all waiting children across the globe - that they would have a forever family.
I want to leave today's post with one question. What can you do to help?
While we were at Mussie they orphanage staff had a man come into the orphanaage wearing a white coat similar to a Doctor's coat. When he yelled something all of the orphans responded with a different response no matter where they were in the orphanage. Some of the parents approached him and he told us that he is a laughter therapist and he is in the guiness book of world records for the longest laugh. We googled him and he does have the record for laughing the longest. The nannies took all of the orphans about age 4 and older and had them line up in about 4 rows facing us. This man then turned to us and said something like "Today you are blest because when an orphans prays God comes and you will get to feel the presence of God." Then he had an orphan I would guess who was about 6 years old come out and face the other orphans. All of the orphans covered their eyes and this little boy prayed for about 20 minutes in Ahmaric. Not one orphan got out of line and not one of them misbehaved, they all just stood there prarying with their fellow orphan. As luck would have it there was a couple adopting 2 boys who were Ethiopian and spoke fluent Ahmaric. The laughter therapist had them interpet for us what the orphan prayed for. We were then told by our fellow court attendee that this was the most amazing thing he had ever heard. The orphan prayed for the staff, for us, for protection for the staff and for us. He then at the end prayed for himself. He asked God to send him to a family that would take care of him. Give him good food to eat, a safe place to sleep, and love.
We truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. It also let me know that the orphans are also praying for us as much as we are praying for them. It made me more resolved to get through this process.
I hope this helps everyone who reads this to know that the ophans pray for us and their faith is incredible. It also the only thing they have. When you leave with your child from the orphange they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These orphans truly have given up everything they have and have put faith in our Lord.
God Bless and do not give up, it is worth everything you are doing to get your child home.
At times along this journey, it feels like only a dream. The seed for this journey was planted in our hearts 2 years ago. 1 year ago we completed our home study and now it has to be updated. 9 months ago our dossier was in ET. We pray. We study, we educate ourselves, we prepare our selves... after reading this, I am brought to my knees - the words just echo in my heart as I see in my mind these children lined up praying pure, faithful prayers asking their Abba Father to give them an earthly father. A forever family.
There are beautiful children waiting to be loved. Waiting to have a safe place to sleep. Food to eat. Please pray for all waiting children across the globe - that they would have a forever family.
I want to leave today's post with one question. What can you do to help?
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