The hard stuff...

One of the reasons for my hesitancy throughout this process is because I'm aware of what can and does sometimes happen in international adoptions. The sad truth, is that where there are vulnerable people (orphans being some of the most vulnerable in the world!), there are evil people who take advantage. There's money invovled and greed can cause people to do things we would never want to imagine.  There are people who see vulnerable children in developing countries, and see that their mother is overwhelmed and poor and unable to care for the child as she would like to. They prey on them and tell the mothers that they will take the children to an orphanage so they can be fed and clothed and taken care of and maybe even educated. Of course the mother might agree because any good mother would want "the best" for her child. The promises made are lies because instead of taking care of these vulnerable children, these people sell them and they end up being adopted by unassuming parents who are trying to do "what's best" for the child. It's a sad, disturbing cycle that these kids are being subjected to.  On the other side, there are thousands of orphaned and abandoned children who are in need of families. There are legitimate cases where the child's parents have died and there was no one left to take care of him. There are orphanages over-crowded with children and not enough resources or people to care for the kids in a way that they can flourish and thrive.  (click on the links above to read some real stories...)It's so hard.I've been aware of this throughout our process and have asked the questions to our agencies, and prayed a lot. The answers to some of these questions is what lead me to seek another agency in the beginning.  The scary thing is, is that we don't know who we can trust. Even when we do trust that our agency is ethical and doing the best they can to ensure children are protected and not trafficked, it is not 100%...because there's the people on the other side of the world who are involved, too. And how can we ensure they're being ethical and making decisions in the best interest of the child!? So why are we still adopting when this 'trafficking of children' could happen!? Why are we still proceeding when there's a chance of corruption!?Because I believe that God has lead us to this point. I am trusting that HE is able to protect this process...I believe He knows my heart is heavy for the oppressed and vulnerable, and that I've made it my goal to fight against human trafficking! I'm trusting...and asking YOU to pray with us about this. That the true orphan/ the lonely children would be set in families...and that poverty and lack of means to take care of these children would not prevent mothers in Uganda from being able to protect and preserve their families. Please PRAY WITH US that our agency and everyone involved with our adoption would be making the most ethical and honest decisions, and that the children we welcome into our lives would be those that need us the most.  I'm trusting that GOD is bigger than corruption, He's bigger than the evil plans others make...and HE SETS THE LONELY IN FAMILIES.

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Our God is a God who saves..."