I know it has been a long time since we have posted any
updates about the adoption. Lately when
people ask how it is going, my answer is usually “slow”. We thought we were making a lot of headway,
then, due to a new law that went into effect last year, we have had to
backtrack in the process. When trying to
go by laws in two different countries, I guess stuff like this should not be
surprising, but it is still a little frustrating. Not sure what God is trying to teach us
(patience maybe? J ),
but we are still plugging along and fighting for what we know HE is leading us
to do; we will continue to trust in our Lord’s timing and methods. You don’t know how much we appreciate
everyone’s support; whether it be through prayers, encouragement, or
financially. Right now we especially ask
for your prayers. The Ugandan
legislature has a law that they are going to be voting on (unknown date) that
will make international adoptions there extremely difficult. Adoption agencies and other advocates of
adoption have been giving presentations to the government to try and get them
to not pass this law. They have
been listening, and delayed the vote that was supposed to be this fall. Supposedly some members of the Ugandan
legislature are supposed to travel to the United States soon (maybe not until
right after the first of the year) so they can talk with lawmakers here, and
adoption agencies here in the U.S. will get an opportunity to speak to them as
well. This is one reason why we have had
problems finding a Hague Accredited “Primary Service Provider” to represent our
case. I am finding out that they don’t
want to work with Uganda until they see what happens with the vote on this new
law.
In the meantime, we are looking into other ways to get
Shakirah here while we work on the adoption from here. It is a very long process; even without
delays some adoption agencies have said it takes an average of 2 years. But just know that we are still in the
process and we appreciate everyone’s continued prayers! Love y’all!!! J
