Orphans, HIV and the Zoo

So many families have been waiting a long time for a referral from Ethiopia. The recent wait time is 6 months or more. Our adoption agency, AAI, has been working hard at establishing relationships with some NGO's in the southern region of Ethiopia, Awassa. Down south, there aren't many orphanages but still many orphans. The idea is to bring orphaned children from the south up to the capital, Addis Abbaba. Adoption from Ethiopia has grown immensely which has created a sense of competition over the children that need homes. Fortunately, AAI wants to participate as little as possible in this competition, as this can lead to corruption. It has in so many other countries around the world that are now closed to adoption, and AAI does not want this to occur in Ethiopia too.

Last week, there were over 2 dozen children brought up to Addis Abbaba from the southern region. These children were going to be given medical tests before being able to be eligable to be referred out to a waiting family. Unfortunately, the majority of these orphans tested positive for HIV. This was devastating news for the waiting families. We are praying for these children that they will receive the attention they need and the proper drugs to treat their HIV status. AAI is also working on a sponsorship program for these children.

The good news from all the above was that there were 2 children referred out to waiting families from our agency. These two families are happiliy departing Grand Rapids, MI on June 16 to go to Ethiopia and bring home their children! Please pray for these families as they prepare to go, as well as all of the waiting families...that they will trust in the timing of our Heavenly Father.

On a lighter side note...Brian and I took Sahara to the zoo on Memorial Day [I'm only a week behind in posts]! It was a beautiful day packed with lots of children. Here are a couple pictures from our zoo adventure.