Hey everyone,

Just thought I’d update everyone on the adoption status since I get lots of emails and texts asking.

We are still on hold with the US embassy in Addis. Nati is legally ours but we are not allowed to bring him to the US until the embassy approves an immigrant visa, that is what we are waiting for.

At the end of Nov, the embassy issued an alert that there have been instances or rumors of unethical adoption practices in Ethiopia and that they had decided to implement more in depth case investigations prior to visa issuance. We found out the day before Thanksgiving that our case had been selected for investigation. At the time we did not know what this entailed or how long it would take, only that we had the misfortune of being the randomly selected case from our particular agency. There are 26 agencies doing adoptions from Ethiopia, and we have been told that ours is absolutely not one of those suspected of questionable practices. What this entails is that some families somewhere in the country considering offering their child up for adoption (because of sickness, income etc etc) had been reported to have been coaxed that last step by bribes.

The embassy therefore decided to do more in depth checking into how these kids came into the system before sending them off with their new families. Our agency obviously has to undergo the same scrutiny as everyone else, and barring any red flags or question marks, random cases had to be selected. There are two types of investigation, paper and physical. Paper investigations check that all docs are in order, all names match etc and only take a week or two. Physical investigations actually send embassy staff out to the child’s village and find out from any surviving family exactly how the child was offered for adoption and these take longer, between 1-2 months. Guess which type we are 

We were set to travel for embassy on Dec 7th, that fell through. We have waited, hoping and praying that this would be resolved for the Dec 21st embassy date, but since I’m writing this from work, we are obviously not on our way to KCI. As of yesterday, our case was still not finished. The embassy said they would notify Bethany when complete and offer the “invitation to travel”. Until then, we wait. The hardest thing to accept is absolutely no answers as to how far they are from the embassy. Too many inquiries about particular cases could bring suspicion, so it is best to stay out of the way and wait for them to reply. We completely agree with the system and the precautionary measures that the embassy is conducting but are really struggling with the fact that we already have the birth certificate and passport and we were only a five minute appointment and a rubber stamp away from having him home for Christmas. Just ain’t fair.

Even though this all sucks, there are some consolations. Our schedules now run two weeks at a time between missing one embassy date and waiting for the cutoff for the next. Two week periods go pretty quick and we are learning to wait gracefully. Nati still has his best bud Samuel at Shalom so they can still hang for a while longer as his parents travel at the end of January. I also paid for a swingset to be built at the orphanage, so the kids have something new to play on. Since all five of us are planning to go get him, hopefully if we go in January, plane tickets won’t be outrageous like they have been the last couple of weeks. We have credit from the five cancelled ones Dec 7th and if we had gone this week, difference would have been another $ 800 per ticket, that’s $ 4,000 not planned for. The next embassy date is Jan 4th and we would leave on Dec 30th , my birthday, so now we count down the days until then. I think Christmas falls in there somewhere ‘cause you wouldn’t know it from our house. We thought we were going to be gone now, so this year, no lights, no tree, not much holiday spirit, just packed suitcases, donated kids clothes and general chaos.

From past experience, these physical investigations take 1-2 months and it will have been a month next week since we were notified. If ours gets resolved soon, we could go Dec 30th back Jan 6th or two weeks later, or two weeks later, or two weeks later and so on and so on. We just don’t know.

That in essence is what is going on with our case.

From day one kneeling at the stage, this adoption was our Father’s idea, He put everything in motion, He prepared us for it, spiritually, physically and financially. Although everything has been quick and smooth so far, we have followed His schedule and His timing. This hiccup is also part of His plan and I am reminded that He is in complete control.

We are blessed to have such great friends who truly care and are concerned enough to want to be up to date. We know that you guys are as excited for Nati to be here as much as we are (well almost). They are still processing embassy visa’s so that is good news and it’s one less month of Kansas winter he’ll have to endure so it’s not all bad.

Keep praying for us and that no loneliness or “where’s my dad” feelings enter Nati’s heart as he continues to see others leave the orphanage.

Not sure how often we’ll bump into each other over the next few weeks, so everyone have a wonderful Christmas and I’ll let everyone know when we hear something positive.

Step by step
Love

Jeff & Becky

Posts from Addis

Glad to be home, but even more grateful for the incredible amazing week we have been honored to be a part of.
36 days and counting !

Alice Reinking Swanson - You go back in 36 days? So he will be here for Christmas. Wow.
Lori Barr - Glad it went well and hopin' those days fly by.
Pamela Groff Johnson - So happy you're home safely. I think the additional time will go by quickly and before you know it, you'll all be flying out to get him! :o)
Kim Stewart Coker - Glad you are home safe. Will be praying for you to adjust to being back on Kansas time and peace as you get through the next 36 days. Many blessings to you!

Posts from Addis

Home at last.
30 hours since being dropped off at Addis airport.
By time we got home Sunday night it was like every hour someone had added one more bundle of sticks, one more jug of water to our shoulders. Barely able to stand we hit the sack. Hopefully, next stop, 10:00 am and refreshed.
Yeah right !
Woke at 4:45 just like every day this week, swore I heard the daily call to prayer echoing through the early morning skies. Ooops, just Becky also up catching up on Fox news unpacking suitcases and starting the laundry. She was up early too.
Oh well, it might take a few days for our bodies and minds to get back on this Kansas schedule.

Posts from Addis

Time to go !!
Selam chow

Michelle De La Isla - Hope your arrival was comfortable and uneventful. We are praying for you guys so that the next few weeks zip by and your hearts have peace as God works the rest of the details till we have the kid home where he belongs :) Much love to you, Becky and the kids.
Brad Barr - May Gods Peace be with you both as you ponder your recent time and let those memories with your new son give you joy until you bring him home for Good!!!
Tracy Rowe - Have a safe trip home!

Posts from Addis

There's so much to share but FB is not the place so it'll be great to be home and share this amazing experience with you all. We have amazing pics and videos.
Love to everyone and we'll be back in Ttown Sunday night about 7.
Love Jeff & Becky
Saturday at 10:35am

Just one more post while waiting to go to airport.
This morning was tough on us, we sat and talked through a translator but he knows whats going on. He knows we'll be back and he knows next time he will go with us.
Saturday at 10:35am

Michelle De La Isla - We are praying for you guys! We love you!!! Everything will be fine :)
Kathy Payne - It has to be so hard to leave him, and so hard for him to see you leave! My prayers are with you all for this time of waiting, and rejoicing that he is yours. God is so good.

Posts from Addis

Last post. Tommorrow is last day. We will visit the orphanage again one last time, say our goodbyes and tell him we'll be back in 6-8 weeks to take him home. This will be a tough day, we have had such a wonderful time with him, it's gonna be hard to leave without him. Pray for safe travels and somewhat empty flights. 7... hrs, then 10hrs then 2hrs. Should be home late Sunday night.
Love Jeff & Becky
Friday at 2:01pm

Lyndsey Grace - Praying for safety as you travel and comfort through the emotional temporary goodbyes. Next time there is no good-bye!
Rd-amy Cogswell - Praying, praying:)
Gerra Damman - WILL KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS!
Alice Reinking Swanson - Hope for a good, safe flight. Steve and Missy fly home from Germany this weekend, also. Lots of family in the air. It has been so much fun following your adventures. See you soon.
Tracy Rowe - Can't wait to hear all about your adventure! Praying for a tender day tomorrow and for your safe journey home.
Steve Johnson - I can't imagine how hard leaving Nat will be, but hopefully the 6-8 wks will fly by. See you soon.
Pamela Groff Johnson - Looking forward to seeing you both! How difficult it will be to leave him behind (this time) but oh the rewards coming!!! How sweet that will be for ALL of you! Safe travels and God's speed! :o)

Posts from Addis

Have vid of us arriving today at gates. Becky's turn for the tornado greeting. Like a family dog that greets you when you've been gone for a week. Jumping, waving and when he got the go ahead to step out side the gate cause he saw us coming, WATCH OUT ! You get the picture. Pure joy !!!!!! Full speed leap into your arms, wow... !
October 28 at 1:59pm

Rd-amy Cogswell - So glad Becky got the huggin leap this time!!! Just what a new momma needs:)
Tracy Rowe - I prayed and thought about you ALL day today! I am so glad things went well!!
Debbie Farmer-Cook - That is so cool!!!
Chelsea Artzer - Jeff and Becky, I have enjoyed reading all of your posts so much! My thoughts and prayers are with you and that you have a safe rest of your trip. Can't wait to meet the new addition to your family!
Steve Johnson - How awesome. It won't be long till he is in T-town. Love to see him in person.