Friday, January 04, 2019

Anticipation--

Lunch time at the orphanage!

International adoption is a long process with many curves along the way, long and steep hills to climb, rivers to forge, and deep valleys to cross through.  It requires tedious paperwork to be completed and then more paperwork that needs to be re-done.  It is waiting and hoping for news. . . but all you hear is silence because there is no news to report. 

After a long wait for a referral. . . . another long waiting time occurs while the dossier is studied, passed through numerous offices, papers are signed and approved. . . and then when you feel that you cannot wait another day. . . yet another time of waiting occurs until a court date is set.

But, finally, the parents make the trip to pick up their long awaited for child.  And incredible JOY arrives as Mama and Daddy and Child meet for the first time.  There are tears of joy.  There are sweet smiles.  Sometimes there is a little fear on the face of the little one as well as in the hearts of the mama and daddy.  But, within minutes of time, hearts melt and hugs and tears of joy are shared.

This sweet little 3 1/2 year old boy has only known an orphanage for his home.  His orphanage is
Their new son!
l
ovingly maintained.  It is bright and cheery.  It is very clean and the children are well cared for and healthy.  BUT, it is not a family.  It is an institution.  And, every child has the right to grow up in a family, surrounded by parents, siblings and extended family who will love and nurture him or her.

We give thanks and praise to God who led this family to adopt from Burkina Faso!  Waiting at home for their new little brother are two older brothers, ages 4 and 6 years old.  

If you have been thinking and praying about international adoption, please contact me via FB Messenger or contact Kim at kim@allblessings.org for information on how to start your journey.  We would love to walk through this journey with you.  There may be tears along the way but there is great joy and rejoicing at the end of the journey!