Sorry for the delay in updating you...but I have great news regarding adoption issues with the US Embassy in Uganda. Please read below...this is taken straight from my agency's blog:
"Today in Uganda, the chief justice gave judges permission to rule on legal guardianships and state that they understand it is for the purposes of adoption! This should set a precedent for future families; now judges have the confidence to state their complete understanding of the children’s adoption in the US and their dual citizenship status.
Because this happened today, there have been no families yet go through the Embassy. The next step will be ensuring that this statement will align with what the US Embassy will require to issue an immigrant visa for children who have been granted legal guardianship. I will update as we know how the Embassy will view this latest development.
Today, we are thankful for God’s favor and provision! This is a giant step forward in the resolution process!"
That may not make much sense to those of you who don't know the full picture of what was going on over there...but to put it simply...God is for the orphan!!! The court has ruled to allow guardianship paperwork to be worded in such a way that meets the requirements of the US Embassy, so travel visas can be issued for the little ones and they can come home with their new mommies and daddies and complete the adoption once home. This is huge!
How huge? Well, there are 2.3 million orphans in Uganda...let that number sink in...2.3 million. Just to give you perspective, the population of metro-Atlanta, the city where I live, is about 3 million...that's how many orphans there are in Uganda. The total population of the country is a little over 32 million...and it's the size of the state of Oregon. If you do the math, that means more than 7% of the population are orphans.
To drive this truth home, let's look at the United States. There are about 500,000 children living in foster care right now. Not all of these are orphans, but I will use that number because it is the closest comparison we have. Our population is 300 million. Do the math...that is 0.001666 % of our population. Or, one tenth of one percent.
Now, please hear my heart. EVERY hurting and orphaned child is equally precious to the Lord. He sees and knows each one, down to the number of hairs on their heads, no matter where they are from. I only share these numbers so that those of you who have never traveled and seen first-hand the needs of orphans in third-world countries will have a point of reference to understand what a huge VICTORY God accomplished in Uganda today. There is such great need for adoption in this east African country! This simple issue with wording of paperwork could have halted US adoptions in that country. But no, God would not have it. Why? Because He is FOR the orphan!
We must keep praying, though. The Embassy still has to approve the ruling. You may not be called to adopt from Uganda, but you can pray...and we are all called to do that! And there are 2.3 million little reasons to pray...
Now, for a quick update on our adoption journey. After much consideration and prayer, Gene asked that we "pause" our home study until we could save some money. Right when he told me this, we found out about the paperwork problem in Uganda, so we have spent the last 6 weeks looking at finances, working on our budget, praying...and if I'm honest, I have been worrying...just being honest. I am so thankful for my husband's leadership in this area. He has such a steady confidence in God's provision for this adoption, coupled with a balance of the practicality of finances.
So, where are we now? Well, we are more excited than ever to pick up our home study. Unfortunately, we unexpectedly owe Uncle Sam some tax money, so we are choosing to wait a little longer to continue. God has graciously provided in every way. For those of you who have given to us through Ornaments for Orphans and other means, please know this money is tucked securely in savings, and will be used ONLY for the adoption. We are so thankful.
Our next step is to pray, pray, pray, continue to see where we need to sacrifice financially, and put our thinking caps on for more fundraising ideas. I will do better about keeping you posted. Thank you all for your support and prayers! They are needed, appreciated, and felt. Love you all.
