Another Roadblock

As I mentioned here, the government in our country recently passed a bill prohibiting international adoption of children under five unless the child had certain medical needs, was being adopted by a relative, or was part of a sibling group.  In order for the bill to become law, it needed to be signed by the president.  Once signed by the president, it would go into effect in 30-40 days.

When we first heard this news, we weren't exactly sure how to process it.  First of all, the president had not yet signed the bill, so there wasn't a definite timeframe for its official passage.  Secondly, the list of medical needs had not been made public.  I felt pretty confident that our special need would be included.

Well...the bill has now been signed.  I believe the president signed it Tuesday, which means it becomes law sometime between July 7 and 17.  And...our special need is not on list.  

I have been told that the SDA will submit an appeal next week, asking the government to broaden the special needs list.  I have no idea how likely it is that their appeal will be granted.  I have a hard enough time understanding our government, let alone a government halfway around the world!

There is a small chance that we could be invited to travel soon enough that the law would not cause a problem for us.  We would need to be in country about two weeks without the law going into effect, so we would have to travel very soon.  Nina (our facilitator) is going to the SDA tomorrow, so she may have some news for us.  There is also a chance that the government will be willing to expand their list at the SDA's request.  Both of these scenarios would allow us to continue with our adoption as planned.

Honestly, I feel like this is just one more reminder (as if the first 372 weren't enough) that God is really the one in control of this...of our lives...of our children (even the one sleeping right upstairs).  

Please pray for us as we process this news.  Pray that we would be able to bring home the children God has for our family.  As you pray, though, please remember that this law affects so many children and families beyond just us and our two little ones.  Children with the special need we are considering are rarely adopted in their own country.  If this law stays in place as it currently stands, there will be many, many children forced to stay in orphanages for five years with almost no chance of a family coming for them.

Lord, you see these little ones and you love them more than I ever could.  Please keep the doors open for them to find homes.  Give us and the other families in our position peace as we wait.  Help us to trust you as the one who loves the hurting, the broken, and the vulnerable.  Help us to hold on to the truth that you are loving and you are faithful.