Amerigandaopia

Karim - born June 2001

From information sheet: “Karim was taken to the foster home from an orphange where he had lived briefly. His parents are dead and his grandfather surrendered him to the orphanage towards his death.”

When we very first decided to adopt, we believed that we were to adopt from Uganda.  But after doing some research we found out that Uganda did not allow international adoptions unless the family had lived in Uganda for 3 years.  Well, we wanted to adopt from Uganda, but not bad enough to move there for 3 years.  So, we changed our sights to Liberia then ultimatley Ethiopia.  I must admit, I was confused the entire time, because I really felt that I had heard the Lord tell me that we were going to adopt from Uganda. 

We asked for two boys between the ages of 4 and 10 – they did not have to be siblings.  The agency came back with one boy – Yohannes.  They would continue to look for another. I couldn’t believe it!  I’m thinking: “In all of Ethiopia you can’t find one more little boy who needs a home?”

Shaun and I prepare to depart on our mission trip to Uganda.  Before we leave, we check in with our agency to let them know that we would be out of the country and where we would be.  “Oh, by the way”, the owner of the agency mentions, “we have just opened our Uganda program.  Would we be interested in adopting from there?”  Say what?? We friggin just accepted a little boy from Ethiopia and we are in love with him.  We have already switched countries once.  We don’t think we can take the additional stress.  Especially not adopting through a country where adoptions aren’t even successfully taking place. We say no and head off for our mission trip to Uganda.

It would take years to talk about how much we LOVED our time in Uganda, so I wont get started (maybe I’ll do a different blog about that one day). The agency director had asked us to take a laptop with us on our trip and get it to Joseph (the man who ran the country program).  He was kind enough to track us down during our few short hours in Kampala. He was very nice and obviously very passionate about helping the children of Uganda.  During our conversation he mentioned that he had a six year old little boy that was ready to be adopted.  We told him to send us pictures of the available children – just in case we knew of someone that might be interested.  We thanked him, bid farewell to Uganda and headed home.

When arrived home to an e-mail containing pictures of the children.  One look at Karim and we were in love.  We immediatley contacted the agency and told them that we would be one if the “pilot families” for the Uganda program and that we wanted Karim.

Since this really hasn’t been done, we have no idea what to expect.  I’ve read blogs that have stated that it is nearly impossible to get approved through the court system.  I hope that this isn’t the case for us.  I still believe that God told us that we would adopt a child out of Uganda.  If He did, it will happen – no matter how many obstacles are put in our way. – - – - – Everyone’s prayers couldn’t hurt!