Stalemate

If you're starting to think our "Journey to Jenny" will never end, trust me, you're not alone.  We really thought that, by now, we'd be able to change the title of this blog to "Etter, Party of Four" or something else of equal permanence and stability.  But that was based on our timing, not God's.

We began our Journey to Jenny by completing our very first eligibility application on January 3, 2017.  As of December 12, we had compiled a mountain of officially certified documents and had received approval from the United States government to adopt Jenny and bring her home to America.  The only thing that we need is approval from the central authority in Jenny's country.

Typically, when families get to this stage in the process, they begin packing their bags. You're practically done!  The hard part is over - now you just need to get through the formalities of the court and Visa processes and bring the child home!

A seat for Jenny

We were told we should hear of our approval within 1 to 3 months.  Great!  We put a mark in our calendars and blocked off the entire months of March and April thinking surely we would be asked to travel by then.  We've saved our sick days and our vacation time, reached out to a few people who might be able to dog-sit and/or house-sit for the 6-12 weeks we'd be away, renewed our Rosetta Stone Language course, and sat back to wait for the call to go get Jenny.

That call hasn't come, and unfortunately, we're not sure it ever will.

There is some turmoil within the central authority in Jenny's country and they have recently tightened the approval standards for their children to be adopted by families outside of the country.  Twelve out of 13 families have been denied in the last few months with no reasons given other than "it's not in the best interest of the children."  Our placing agency, based here in America, has requested an in-person meeting with the ministry and will be traveling next week on behalf of us waiting families and the children we're pursuing.

Pray.  Please join us as we pray with the same power that rose Jesus from the grave!  

• Pray that we find favor as an adoptive family for Jenny and that we're granted approval soon.
• Pray for our agency representative as she travels and meets with the leaders
• Pray for little Jenny who is waiting for the love and care of a forever family.
• Pray for the other children and families who are waiting and for those who are grieving denials.

Psalm 43

Vindicate me, my God,

and plead my cause

against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are

deceitful and wicked.

You are God my stronghold.

Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning,

oppressed by the enemy?

Send me your light and your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,

O God, my God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.