Our WACAP representatives got back from from ET last week and it sounds like it was a productive trip. They have decided to stop partnering with the orphanages in the south. That was the only region that WACAP had been partnering with, and unfortunately for many orphans in the area that are stuck in the red tape, there has been an indefinite hold for any orphan to be adopted from that region, so WACAP decided to go elsewhere. I'm sure that saddens WACAP to move on (as they were dedicated to that region and am sure they have first handed seen the need to place children with homes), but I think they decided to set their sight on areas that CAN place children. Even though I am sure there are heavy hearts, no doubt the WACAP waiting families are breathing a sigh of relief in that we may be able to finally see some referral movement. It has been EIGHT MONTHS since our last referral. Geesh!
The next few weeks, WACAP is finalizing partnership agreements with some new orphanages in the northern most part of Ethiopia. This is an area that WACAP has some family preservation programs (sponsorship), so have established a good relationship already with officiates. It sounds as though this area's climate is harsh, poverty is at epidemic levels, there's been years of civil unrest, a very high rate of HIV/AIDES, and minimal agencies working in this area. No doubt (and unfortunately), many orphans there are waiting for a home.
WACAP's Friday news letter said that once the partnership's loose ends are tied up, there are children waiting to be referred, so we should see some referral movement in the next few weeks - possibly up to a month. These are much easier words to read than "several months".
My husband and I have pretty much shelved our feelings on this adoption for now. Last fall, we hit an all-time-low, so our survivalist mental state made us put our feelings in a tin can, place it on the top shelf, and push it back out of sight. At one time, our reactions were of such highs and lows to all adoption news, but now our affects are flat. Who knows what to believe or trust with this process, really. We were told "expect a call in a month" a year ago, so even though I am updating this blog for you all, our reactions to this news was just a, "Neh....". If that call ever comes, I am very interested to see how we will react.
In the meantime, the world keeps revolving for our little man. He is now SIX years old (did I really just type that)? He is in love with learning, is loving and kind to his friends, and just skipped a whole level in skiing today - going from level 2 (where he had plateaued for 2 years) to a level 4! He also knows every word to his Justin Berber CD, is insistent that he grow his hair out like a rock star, and is so proud that he just did this.....
