Adoption Update

We would like to send a huge thank you to those that have sent encouraging emails, along with financial and prayer support.  Although we are many miles away we have felt very loved and supported by many – which has proven to be quite an encouragement during some challenging days!   
For those of you that have been following our Adoption Saga – we wanted to give you the latest update.   On January 26, 2009, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf made a statement that ALL Adoptions in Liberia, both processed and those in-process, should be stopped until her new adoption task force could look into some serious allegations that had been made against some adoption agencies.  The big question we’ve been asking is what does that mean for us and our situation?!  
Keyara’s Liberian adoption was completed on October 8, 2007 – we have just been waiting for the US to issue a Visa.  But, in an effort to support the Liberian President, the US Embassy has decided not to issue any adoption visas until they have an okay from the President to resume this process.  Our case is being brought to the attention of the President but it seems that she is currently not willing to make any exceptions.  The US Consulate told us that the situation is so heated that it doesn’t appear that things will get settled down any time soon.  However, the good news is that if we wait until October 8, 2009 we will have had Keyara as our daughter for 2 years which would allow us to apply for a different type of visa – an I-130, which is not an adoption visa.  In doing this we just have to verify that she has been in our custody since the date of her adoption and get a letter from the Liberian Department of Justice allowing her to leave the country.  The US Consulate thought this would be our best and safest option at this point in time.  So based on the information we have today we have painfully decided that we need to adjust our plan one more time and extend our time in Liberia.  
Although we are very disappointed that we cannot return sooner to see our family and friends we are grateful that we are together as a family.  We just watched another couple fly into Liberia after being told by the US Embassy that they could pick up their adopted daughters because their girls’ visas had been approved.  The President made her announcement while they were traveling here and upon arrival they learned that the promised visas for their two daughters would not be issued.  Sadly, after two weeks of fighting to get an exception, they had to find a family to “foster” their daughters while they returned home to the USA to be with their other children and jobs.  They will have to fight their adoption battle in the absence of their children and from the other side of the world.
Based on their experience, the US Consulate advice and prayer, we have come to the conclusion that we should remain until October/November 2009.  ELWA and SIM are very happy for this change and it is nice to be wanted – they see it as answer to prayer.  I know there are a few grandparents that don’t agree - but we have had so many changes in what we thought should be our plan that we’ve come to the place of praying, “Not my will but Yours be done”.  God gives us daily reminders of why we are meant to be in Liberia at this time and those reminders keep us encouraged and moving forward.  
Our housing will need to change at the end of May and we will be moving into a small house on the ELWA Campus.  It is a bit overwhelming trying to think of all the things we will need to live in our own home again.  It makes us appreciate all that the Shank Family has shared with us during our time of transition.  I will be homeschooling both Kaitlyn and Kaleb next year by myself so I need to start planning for that as it will take several months for the materials to arrive.  We thank God for Musu, our house helper, who comes during the days to help watch Keyara while I teach – we can’t imagine what life would be like without her!  She has been a great help and “substitute Liberian Grandma” for the kids.