As for the Nelson family, we have been called to Liberia to adopt our children and will hold on for the duration until our children are home. Of course, we don't know when that will be, but continue to trust God for His perfect timing and choice of children for our family. Thank you for your continued prayers for our family.
So here's the note from Patty:
I know you all have been anxiously awaiting news about my meeting
with the Embassy today. I am happy to report that our discussions
were positive and the Consulate took several suggestions I made
about making the process perhaps a little less stressful. She
acknowledged the unfortunate families who have been caught in this
new transition and express that she hoped not too many more families
would be in this position.
One of the concerns shared was the increase in adoptions and why
that was happening. My explanation was simply...... ...20 years ago
before the war Liberia was a peaceful and relatively prosperous
nation and with the African culture that supports extended families
caring for each other, adoption was a rare occurrence. Then with
the many years of war the nation was left with thousands of
orphans. NGO's and Organization like our saw the need to respond.
Now while the orphans may be for the most part semi orphaned or
children with single mothers, the need for these children to find
loving forever families is just as great. The war left poverty at
such a all time high, that extended families in many cases are no
longer able to care for the vulnerable children. I had the
opportunity to share what Acres of Hope was all about and the many
programs we have that are serving the children of Liberia. That we
are committed to serving all the children of Liberia. In the big
scene of things only a few will be lucky enough to find the loving
arms of adoptive parents, but because of those few......... .
thousands of others will be served in Liberia. They were impressed
with the humanitarian outreach Acres of Hope and that was a real
plus. The Consulate was quite socked to see the 22 page album that
we put together just showing our special needs miracles. She
assured me she would consider the needs of some of the most fragile
children and applauded Acres of Hope in meeting the needs of this
special group of children.
After discussions of the latest venture my staff had to make
driving 200 miles on terrible roads with life-threatening
conditions, crossing bridges washed out by the rains and needing to
be re-built, I informed the Consulate I would not ever put my staff
in that position again and that her request certainly appeared as if
she was trying to put blockades in the process. Again she assured me
her intentions were not to stop adoptions. At that point I
suggested we pre-approve the children for visa at the beginning of
the adoption process at the time the parent signs the
relinquishment. That way the investigation should not be so
involved as the part of verifying the orphan status would already be
complete. She agreed to this.
So what does this all mean?
There will be a new order to adoptions that would include a pre-
approve of the orphan for adoption by the Embassy much like the I
600A is for the adoptive parent.
This should illuminate the fear that at the end something could go
wrong.
Time wise........ .well that is still yet to be known, but I truely
believe that this will improve what has already been in place and
probably cut the process down in the end.
We also discussed that it was necessary to allow processing to be 2
days per week with Thursdays being the day to drop off papers and
schedule appointment.
The result will be much more order, still the same amount of time,
but with some strict guidelines.
In conclusion, our new Consulate is very willing to work with us to
improve the system. She encouraged me to meet with the Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare to discuss all these issues and concerns I
have in educating others in the country on adoption including NGO
not in favor of adoption.
I gave her a stack of information on articles you all were so good
to research and I know she will have lots of reading materials and
hopefully learn alot.
All in all it was a positive and productive meeting and I went away
with good feeling realizing that changes are always hard and take
time to get use to, but in this case I am convinced it is for the
better.
Too many agencies have done short cuts or been dishonest and this is
what has caused the issues we are dealing with now.
Acres of Hope is committed to setting the standards for how
adoptions should be and with all of your help I believe the Lord
will bless our efforts.
Thanks you all for your many prayers and patience through this
growing experience. I want all of you to know I personally along
with our wonderful staff are here to do everything in our power to
remain a voice for the children and support to you as adoptive
families.
THREE CHEERS FOR YOU
ALL!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
*Note: I will give each of your children a big hug and kiss !
Blessings,
Patty Anglin, Executive Director
Acres of Hope
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