Last night was our third and final homestudy visit.  It was good to "get 'er done" and look forward to the next phase of this adoption process.  I am waiting for my bloodwork to come back and my DH plans to have his physical this weekend .  Then we email the reports to our social worker, wait for the homestudy to be written and approved by our family coordinator, then send it with the I-600 to USCIS so we can get approved to bring some precious little ones HOME! 
One thing that is very frustrating is the backlash from the CBS story that ran a couple of weeks ago regarding supposedly unethical practices in Ethiopia resulting in children being adopted who are not orphans...families being pressured to place their children in orphanages, etc.  While I have NO doubt that fighting corruption in the international world is an ongoing battle, I do know that we have a wonderful agency who works very hard to keep things legitimate and in the best interests of these children.

After all, it IS about the children.

So I ask you to pray.  Because things in Ethiopia are slowing down, families who were set to travel to bring home their children are now on hold for potentially months and I, for one, feel that "you know who"...the "interference" is directly responsible for this confusion and chaos.

The fact is, interest in adoption has exploded.  What was simmering is now boiling over and the tragedy in Haiti awakened countless people to the orphan crisis.  Many called agencies to inquire about adopting from Haiti and, when told things are on hold at this time but that the need is great worldwide (5 thousand children are orphaned or abandoned every day.) they gladly began the adoption process in another country! 

What better way to stop this visible manifestation of the love of Jesus Christ than to cry "corruption" and "outrage."  What is going to happen to the 147 million orphans who desperately need to be off the streets, out of institutions, safe from child trafficking and slavery, and in the arms of their forever families?

So please join me in praying for the Lord's hand of protection over the international adoption process. 
Pray for Him to have victory so that these children will not have to remain orphans for one more day. 
"I will not leave you as orphans-I will come to you."  John 14:18

Pray for lies to be exposed and for the truth to reign. 
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5

And pray for the families who wait...that they will be strong and have courage as the Lord goes before them in battle. 
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13