"We see now more than ever that challenges are escalating."
Forlorn.
Austere.
Disheartening.
These are the words that would describe our last few Ugandan updates.
Things have not been looking good.
I realize that is typical in this unpredictable, precarious process.
However, sometimes things change in such varying degrees that you begin to see that it is, in fact, going to affect you in ways you do want it to.
So, here we are. In a transition.
Where will we "transition" to?
Not sure yet.
We are sad and frustrated and conflicted.
We are eager and reluctant at the same time.
Some moments we are angry.
Others we are confident.
We're looking to God for clarity and peace and the next steps to take.
Forlorn.
Austere.
Disheartening.
These are the words that would describe our last few Ugandan updates.
Things have not been looking good.
I realize that is typical in this unpredictable, precarious process.
However, sometimes things change in such varying degrees that you begin to see that it is, in fact, going to affect you in ways you do want it to.
So, here we are. In a transition.
Where will we "transition" to?
Not sure yet.
We are sad and frustrated and conflicted.
We are eager and reluctant at the same time.
Some moments we are angry.
Others we are confident.
We're looking to God for clarity and peace and the next steps to take.
Below are a few of the challenges we (and dozens of other families) are up against.
While it is our heart's desire to stay the course with Uganda, the recent 12 weeks of in-country time has made it clear to us that we must make a change. Our family is not in a position to meet this requirement. I sent an email this morning to our Adoption Specialist to let her "officially" know our status. Unfortunately, I do not think we are the only family in the program who has had to make this decision. It breaks my heart for the children and families on both sides of these challenges. I cannot fully put into words the emotions I am wrestling with over all of it.
Our family would deeply appreciate your prayers as we continue to look at our options.
Excerpts from our Ugandan Update:
*In the past, it was a given that families would experience a setback or seemingly senseless problem in country. Now it appears that conditions are such that a family can expect challenges at every stage of their in-country process.
*Different people including police officers, probation officers, passport officials, embassy staff and airport staff may set unprecedented requirements on a family. Some key people may choose to not cooperate with producing paperwork or even attending court.
*Families may overtly or covertly be approached about bribes and experience a great deal of stress and pressure when they do not participate in those practices. To do an ethical process means that families need to understand that they may be asked to “jump through many hoops” and endure setbacks because they will not give in to pressure to give money.
*The U.S. Embassy has implemented stricter policies about appointment times, documentation and exit interviews which can add to a family’s time in country.
*We are now seeing that families should budget time and money for at least 12 weeks in Uganda. This time frame is longer than you may hear from other sources. We have found that an ethical adoption takes a lot of time.
While it is our heart's desire to stay the course with Uganda, the recent 12 weeks of in-country time has made it clear to us that we must make a change. Our family is not in a position to meet this requirement. I sent an email this morning to our Adoption Specialist to let her "officially" know our status. Unfortunately, I do not think we are the only family in the program who has had to make this decision. It breaks my heart for the children and families on both sides of these challenges. I cannot fully put into words the emotions I am wrestling with over all of it.
Our family would deeply appreciate your prayers as we continue to look at our options.
Excerpts from our Ugandan Update:
*In the past, it was a given that families would experience a setback or seemingly senseless problem in country. Now it appears that conditions are such that a family can expect challenges at every stage of their in-country process.
*Different people including police officers, probation officers, passport officials, embassy staff and airport staff may set unprecedented requirements on a family. Some key people may choose to not cooperate with producing paperwork or even attending court.
*Families may overtly or covertly be approached about bribes and experience a great deal of stress and pressure when they do not participate in those practices. To do an ethical process means that families need to understand that they may be asked to “jump through many hoops” and endure setbacks because they will not give in to pressure to give money.
*The U.S. Embassy has implemented stricter policies about appointment times, documentation and exit interviews which can add to a family’s time in country.
*We are now seeing that families should budget time and money for at least 12 weeks in Uganda. This time frame is longer than you may hear from other sources. We have found that an ethical adoption takes a lot of time.