As I mentioned in the last update, our agency opened a program in Rwanda and that is a country with a HUGE number of orphans. With a population of 10 million people, 1 million are estimated to be orphaned children. Josh and I have thought a lot about that country and the children who are still reaping the consequences of everything that has happened there. Adoption is new for Rwanda and our agency's program is brand-spankin'-new, but when we found out that we actually qualified for it (Rwanda has some unusual requirements for adoptive families) we were definitely interested.
We took a step back from the Ethiopia program we were just beginning so that we could pray about whether we should consider Rwanda. We found out about two little boys who are currently there waiting - they are older than we initially had in mind for our family (2 & 4), but God stirred our hearts to them and we needed to see if He was directing us to a different path than we had anticipated. We received their names, several pictures of them, and proceeded to pray. In the mean time, Josh's motorcycle wasn't selling and we weren't sure what God was doing in regards to financial provision.
To make a long story short, God closed the door to those boys for us and made it clear through no decision of our own that they are not going to be ours. Because of various details I won't go into, this also closes the door to Rwanda for us at this time. We were disappointed because those boys need a family - both of their parents are dead.
But we are thankful that God is making his direction for us clear! On the same day the Rwanda door closed, Josh's motorcycle finally sold for the price Josh wanted providing the remaining money we needed to make the first significant payment towards the Ethiopia program. We also received two generous donations towards our adoption through our facebook adoption cause. God is so good.
We are very excited about Ethiopia - it's the country that has been in my heart since we were waiting for Eliana. We are feeling past ready for this process, but trust the wisdom of God's timing. So we go today to officially sign/ notarize our documents & get started on the homestudy & dossier. There is going to be a lot more money due along the way, but we are confident that God will provide it as he has provided this first chunk! Whahoo!
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Congratulations! I'm excited to follow along as you share your experience of this new adoption!
That's so exciting! Praying for a smooth process and provisions!
How exciting! It's wonderful to read about how God is leading through this process.
Hi, I have been following your sight for a few weeks and I just keep coming back. I was first drawn to your posts about using Bethany Christian Services for your first adoption. My husband and I are just at the beginning stages of "God, have you called us to adopt?" "How are YOU going to do it?" "Where do we even begin to look." "Domestic or International." "How will we know your answers for us?" Wow, big questions, but I am sure you have been there. I also see you are from Portland! I grew up in a suburb of Portand and went to OSU. I know I am a stranger...but a sister in Christ who is desperately seeking His will and looking for others who have walked down the road of adoption. Blessings to your family as you begin this new journey to Africa!
I have also been learning sooo much about God's provision---in such perfect ways, in such perfect timing! Journey #2 for you guys...can't wait to see how the Lord is going to direct!
So cool. Can't wait to see the rest of the story.
How exciting for you all. Nice to see how God is directing this journey to your next child. Praying that the funds come in and your wait is an easy one.
One thing though that I learnd from a blogger that used our agency and adopted from Ethiopia, they couldn't name Ethiopia on their blog for some reason but it might have just been our agency.
Yay, how exciting. Go for it! God is good and will provide.