Other than how much longer, why Ethiopia has been our most asked question over the entire process. Our two agencies both asked it. Family and friends asked it. The Ethiopian court asked it again. We've answered it hundreds of times, and yet I cannot fully give you an answer to it. But I will do my best to try in this post.
When we decided on international adoption, the possibilities seemed endless. There are so many countries that are open to adoption in some form. We quickly found out that the list of available countries is practically much shorter though. Some countries that are technically open to adoption have strict residency requirements. Others have unstable governments. Others we were too young to adopt from. We first saw Ethiopia on a list of countries that were open to adoption, and our hearts immediately jumped at the possibility. There were several reasons for this:
1) We knew someone previously who had spent a great deal of time in Ethiopia and helped foster in us a great love for their people.
2) We knew partially because of this and partially from other things that we have read that Ethiopians take steps to take care of their orphans. While they have been overwhelmed by the vast amount of orphans they have at times, they are truly doing the best they can to figure out solutions for all their orphans if they be leaving through international adoption or not.
3) We love Ethiopia's history. From their long Christian heritage to the fact that they were never truly conquered and colonized, they have a unique and rich history that we hope to be able to teach Rogi and any other children that we are lucky enough to be able to adopt from Ethiopia.
4) They fit all the other criteria. They were ok with our ages. They have a stable government, and at the time you only needed to take one trip to Ethiopia (now it is two trips).
It should not be discounted that we simply felt drawn to Ethiopia from the first time we saw their name on a list. That feeling has not changed over the last two years. Between our prayers and our research, we felt very comfortable with going with Ethiopia. The next step I will address in the next post-selecting an agency.
When we decided on international adoption, the possibilities seemed endless. There are so many countries that are open to adoption in some form. We quickly found out that the list of available countries is practically much shorter though. Some countries that are technically open to adoption have strict residency requirements. Others have unstable governments. Others we were too young to adopt from. We first saw Ethiopia on a list of countries that were open to adoption, and our hearts immediately jumped at the possibility. There were several reasons for this:
1) We knew someone previously who had spent a great deal of time in Ethiopia and helped foster in us a great love for their people.
2) We knew partially because of this and partially from other things that we have read that Ethiopians take steps to take care of their orphans. While they have been overwhelmed by the vast amount of orphans they have at times, they are truly doing the best they can to figure out solutions for all their orphans if they be leaving through international adoption or not.
3) We love Ethiopia's history. From their long Christian heritage to the fact that they were never truly conquered and colonized, they have a unique and rich history that we hope to be able to teach Rogi and any other children that we are lucky enough to be able to adopt from Ethiopia.
4) They fit all the other criteria. They were ok with our ages. They have a stable government, and at the time you only needed to take one trip to Ethiopia (now it is two trips).
It should not be discounted that we simply felt drawn to Ethiopia from the first time we saw their name on a list. That feeling has not changed over the last two years. Between our prayers and our research, we felt very comfortable with going with Ethiopia. The next step I will address in the next post-selecting an agency.
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