Ethiopia Update

Greetings!

Two and a half years ago, Stephanie and I felt called to begin our little family through adoption.  God called us to an agency (AGCI) and a country (Ethiopia) that we've grown to love.  We anticipated a two to two and a half year wait before seeing our child's face for the first time, but due to changes in requirements and practices in Ethiopia, this timeline has been significantly extended.  We remain fully committed to growing our family through adoption. 

As a result of the new timeline, Stephanie and I decided to instead begin our family with a biological child.  This, too, turned out to be quite a journey, but we are now so blessed that Stephanie is pregnant with our baby boy (due in May).  As we prepare the house for little hands and little feet, we are facing a very difficult decision related to the adoption, and we need your prayers.

Recently, our adoption agency shared some discouraging news related to the outlook of adoption in Ethiopia.  It has been since June 2014 since a child from Ethiopia meeting our parameters was referred to AGCI.  We've been told that it may be a question of if, not when, we are referred a child.  This is heartbreaking considering the need in Ethiopia remains great, but the requirements and corrupt practices are preventing orphans from joining their forever families.

Our agency has presented us with a small handful of options to continue our adoption journey.  While it seems impossible to choose an option, we know God remains with us as we continue to seek his will.  We ask that you pray that we may have wisdom as we make this decision by the end of January. 

Thank you for your love and support!