It's funny how time seems to stretch out over a weekend, and then one Monday afternoon, three emails arrive within ten minutes of each other--and they have the power to change the world.
The first email was from a friend of ours who is a huge advocate for adoption. Apparently, stories like ours have kept our agency from being granted Hague accreditation. The Hague Convention is an intercountry agreement establishing a set of rules which will determine the future of international adoption. Its decisions took effect April 1--the day before we suddenly needed all new forms and exact wording.
As it happens, our agency lacks accreditation. They were denied, according to their communications, because of the actions of some employees who have since been dismissed for forging documents in Russian adoptions.
But it's more complex than that. Our agency also has established foster homes in China. Our own Yo-yo has them to thank for donations which paid for his medical supplies for the last few years. There are so many children for whom our agency is an advocate. It even received permission from the CCAA to post several very hard-to-place children in hopes of finding them homes and it helped test-drive the new internet-based system of special needs adoption for China. So where is the breakdown? I don't know, but I know that I cannot pretend that I do no wrong.
On to the second email, this time from Johns Hopkins. Dr. Gearhart, the hero, sent a great letter stressing the need for an expedited processing of our new paperwork. His recommendation to Immigrations is that we be able to finalize this adoption ASAP for the sake of Yo-yo's health. Yea, Dr. G!
The third email? It came from Caseworker # 3, who wanted to check in and see what progress we were making. She had placed a call to the Immigration office in Memphis, and she wanted to encourage us to send our forms out soon. She went on to say that our agency really doesn't know why this new thing is suddenly being enforced, but it has nothing to do with the Hague Convention or accreditation.
We have been so encouraged by all our friends, their thoughts, and their prayers. To know that someone is thinking of you and praying for the sake of your child is a powerful thing. It can make a day bearable, hope possible. It can keep a dream alive!
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