News On Nathaniel

I got a call from our agency last week. The orphanage had to move because it could no longer afford the rent($2,500 US dollars). It was a nice place in a nice place in a nice neighborhood. The new place is just awful! It is in bad neighborhood. It's too small. There is no security, not even a fence so the kids can't go outside to play. Some of the babies have been very sick. One has died. Thankfully, Nathaniel is healthy. The orphanage is out of money. They have asked the parents to please send at least $200 a month for the children's care. This is tough for us. We had to take out a loan last year to pay for the orphanage fees that were supposed to be used for his care. Plus our 15 year old van died on us in June and we had to buy a new one. So between these and all our other bills finding an extra $200 a month will be hard. That is the reason we thought about giving up. But we love this little boy. In our hearts he is our son. We have rearranged our budget and tightened our belts so we can do it. Also our agency is looking for a new lawyer which means more money. The old one has the connections needed but not the experience or knowledge for international adoption. According to the DRC liason for our agency and the orphanage the new lawyer knows international adoption much better. So hopefully, things will speed up. But even if we do get through court and legally adopt Nathaniel, there is still the issue of the exit permit suspension in DRC.So your prayers are still needed. So as you can see, we need some money. A wonderfully sweet woman I met on FaceBook agreed to do an online Tupperware fundraiser for us. If you would like to help, please click on the linand shop away. http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/!twx$eparty_ctl.p_guest_welcome?pv_eparty=2178a2e22c33eadd7190aa7ceb08476b

Blessings,
Melissa

Not So Fast....

My last post stated that it would be my last post. Well, it's not. David and I had a loooong talk and we both agreed that we made a committment to this little boy and we are going to try our best to see it through. I will admit that this has been a painful time for me. VERY PAINFUL! And yes, I have even questioned my faith in God. Why would He let me get so close just to snatch it away? I don't know, but as a friend recently told me, our thoughts are NOT His thoughts. His ways are higher than ours. I have to trust Him. And that is the hard part of this thing we call Faith. Trusting that someone you can't see knows what is better for you. Even when it's not what you want. Even when it hurts. So we are continuing with our adoption. Even though we literally don't know if Nathaniel will EVER come home. But we can't give up on him because God hasn't given up on us. Blessing, Melissa

Good-Bye

This will be my last blog entry. Our 8 year adoption journey has come to an end and the only thing we have to show for it is thousands of dollares in debt. The suspesion in DRC could last a few more months or a few more years, either way we cannot afford to complete this adoption. It breaks my heart to know that the little boy I have come to love will never come home. It seems so unfair that there are 150 million orphans in this world and even though I am willing I can't have even one of them for my own. I will continue to pray for Nathaniel everyday. I pray that God will bring him a forever family to love and cherish him. Blessings, Melissa

Ebola

I saw a news article today that stated Ebola is now in DRC. There are 2 confirmed deaths from the disease and 13 other suspected cases but are not comfirmed as Ebola yet. Please pray for Nathaniel and all of the other vulnerable children in DRC. Blessings, Melissa

One year ago

One year ago today we got our referral for Nathaniel. We were so happy and excited to finally see the face of the child who would be our child. A year has come and gone. We have several pictures of him from this past year. We have watched him grow, but we are no closer to having him here with us than we were a year ago. We can't get a straight answer from our agency about what the hold up is.  I know all about the exit visa problem, but that has not affected the adoption process itself. As far as I know our case has not even been filed in court yet. I am beginning to think we have been scammed by someone, either the agency or the lawyer or the orphanage. I don't know if we will ever be able to bring Nathaniel home. And if we can't then I am done with adoption. This is a hard dream to let go, though.

Blessings,
Melissa

Worn

This song expresses exactly how I have been feeling lately. It is called WORN by Tenth Avenue North.

Blessings,

Melissa

 

Exit Permits

We got an email from our agency yesterday. Sixty two families, 15 from the US, will be recieving their exit permits to bring their children home soon. But that's all. No one else will be given an exit permit until DRC has written, passed, and implemented their new adoption laws. There is no timeline on this. It could take months or years. Also these new laws could be retroactive which means that families that have already completed their adoptions and are just waiting for their exit permits could have their adoptions overturned because they don't meet the new laws requirements. It doesn't seem fair to me to change the rules when you are approaching the finish line. But I am not the one in power and DRC doesn't really care about adoptive parents rights or feelings. I am so discouraged and depressed today. We have been on this adoption journey for over 8 years and we keep getting doors slammed in our face. I am tired. If we are not able to adopt Nathaniel, for whatever reason, then I am done with adoption. I am not being dramatic or emotional. I am just tired, emotionally and physically, of the whole process. Obviously adoption was not meant for us. It's a hard dream to let go of, but it is becoming more and more clear that I may not have a choice. Everyone keeps telling me to hold on and don't give up hope, but I don't know that I have any hope left to hold onto. Blessins, Melissa