You may remember last fall when I became concerned with
unethical international adoptions. We spoke with our coordinator and found out
about some changes that had been made in Ethiopia. We felt fine to proceed with
our adoption. That’s not to say my concerns were in vain. God used that time of
research and prayer to cultivate in me, compassion for birth mothers. Therefore
when we received the referral for Joseph, my heart immediately broke for his
mother. I don’t know if a day went by that I didn’t think about her. I knew she
loved Joseph. I imagine she thought about him every day. I prayed and prayed that if she was able to
take care of him and WANTED to take care of him, she would be able to get him
back.
When she appeared in court to relinquish her rights she gave
information that was different than what she gave at the orphanage. This meant Joseph’s
paperwork had to be amended. No big deal, right? Well, in Ethiopia (and
probably all throughout Africa) they don’t get in a hurry. They get to it when
they get to it. Sometimes I wish we lived like that.
Weeks went by with no word on his paperwork. Weeks went by
without a court date. Then, finally about a week or so ago, Lesley emailed me
to say we were just waiting on the paperwork to be finalized. Finally, we were
on the home stretch!
Then, on Monday, my phone rang. It was Lesley.
“I have some bad
news.”
“Uh, huh?”
“Joseph’s mother changed her mind.”
“That’s ok,” then I smiled and praised God for being God.
