State of International Adoption

Oi Bebes,

I'm sooo incredibly sad to report that on November 24th when both Consular Officers were to meet to discuss the Hague Convention on International Adoption and did not The meeting once again did not take place and now may not take place until after the new year. It is safe now to say that more than likely I will have to start from scratch as all my documents will officially expire in mid January.

In a legnthy discussion today with the Director of my agency he reported that both sides, Brazil and the US are in disagreement with the wording on two important documents. I could hear in his voice how upset he was over this situation. He just sighed and said he simply didn't know what to tell me or the other families. He told me he got very upset with a Judge in Rio when personally discussing the situation with him. The Director of my agency said that it absolutely baffled him that a country with millions of children living on the streets and countless children living in orphanages would close their doors to adopting children out to the United States. It seemed to him that the judge was very smug in saying that Brazil placed 27 children in US homes last year! Out of millions, I just don't get it.

Even more heartbreaking is the fact that it is estimated that over 75% of reputable, long standing agencies who have placed thousands of children with forever families will cease to function by the end of the year as the funds, public and private are no longer widely available. He told me that it broke his heart to have to let go more than half his staff especially during hard economic times but that our agency will remain standing and be able to continue with its advocacy and humanitarian work.

And so, in my last post we prayed for our little Russian boy... now let's pray for us and for orphans all over the world and for the families that are waiting to be together:

Dear God, we ask that you continue to watch over all the orphans of the world as well as all the at-risk children. We ask that you prepare us to help them and give us the streghnth and the smarts to do so in a timely fashion. We know that every day children die on the streets and at the hands of abusers and in orphanages, but now we ask that you minimze their suffering, their seperation anxiety, their broken hearts, their hunger. We know you will offer them comfort in their time of need and we thank you for that. Please begin the end of their suffering, however you choose.

And please God, we ask that you unite us somehow, someway, and soon. I promise you my kids will take care of other kids as I will teach them compassion and right action. I'll also teach them to walk with you and never to doubt you. Amen...

OK BEBES, just as always before you go to sleep, ask God to connect us and make this road less bumpy for all involved, everyone.

xxxMuito Amor

p.s.
Eu não o acharei nenhuma questão o que ele. Eu nunca abandonarei em você. É minhas crianças e eu farei algo eu posso para você; abandonarei minha vida como sei que agora tê-lo ambos seguro nos meus braços. Amo-o todo muito e plenamente sou cometido a fazer o que está correto por você.
Amo-o
Mommy