Processing... Or Not....

We have no specifics.... just a lot of "it looks like", "it's possible", "seemingly" that lead us to believe that Ghana is on a fast track to major changes regarding international adoption & quite possibly, an entire shut down of the program in that country all together. 
I'm shaking as I write this because I can't really let my mind go there.  I'm struggling to process this information & even last night, as Ryan & I briefly talked it was kind-of like, well, like there just are no words.  Nothing to do when you are half-a-world away.... nothing to do when you know no one in that country & have no one there to fight for you & your motivations....
I suppose I may need to back up a bit & just let you know that the orphan crisis is a HUGE problem world-wide.  Avenues to combat this most effectively are national adoption or homes set up within each nation to care for their own children.  Beyond that, interntional adoption is the next great option.  When we committed to international adoption (IA), we understood this to be our highest goal in terms of ethics - that we would be adopting a child in need of a family that could not be found among his extended family or community (this is always especially the case with toddlers & older children or those with special needs).  Unfortunately, IA can have problems if not well regulated - child trafficking becomes a major issue as well as deception on many levels (the families placing for adoption, the lawyers mediating the adoption, the families adopting).  In Ghana they were primarily finding this among independent adoptions (meaning families who chose to adopt without an agency which means less accountability, therefore greater chance for deception), so there were some recent laws set to come into play late spring/early summer to stop those types of adoptions from occuring within Ghana.  Unfortunately, Ghana (like countries before them) has become "skittish" if you will about the potential for deception & is now set up to drastically change it's regulations in general, if not entirely shut down the program. 
Listen, I get we aren't the only ones affected by an issue like this... It's happened in other countries, it's happening to other families, but right now it feels.... well, again, I'm having trouble processing how it feels.  A friend going through the same thing (who incidently has already met the boy they planned to adopt & are currently finishing the final stages) said that it's like knowing you are miscarrying & feeling helpless to stop it.  I think that most accurately describes how I'm feeling personally.  Like I don't even know what this child looks like that we have pursued & prayed for, but the bleeding has started this week & I am helpless to stop it.... 
And it's true - I am helpless... We are not in control... there is nothing in & of ourselves that Ryan & I can do to change the minds of the officials in Ghana so they can realize that the majority of those desiring to adopt from their country are doing so with good intentions.....
BUT (& it's a big but!)....
I can pray.
We can pray.
You can pray.
Have you ever wondered what your role should be within the global crisis of orphans??? 
I can't answer what all it might mean for you, but I can tell you that it absolutely requires you to pray & friends, RIGHT NOW would be a good time to do it if you haven't before....
Pray that we would realize our struggle is not against what we see... ( ^"For we^[c] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Eph 6:12)
Pray that we would all realize who HAS the control.... ("The foundations of law and order have collapsed.  What can the righteous do?  But the Lord is in his holy Temple;  the Lord still rules from heaven.  He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.  For the righteous Lord loves justice.  The virtuous will see his face." Psalm 11)
Pray for the country of Ghana, that the officials would be overcome by a sense of compassion for the orphans in their country, realizing that shutting down IA would only lead to a greater crisis in the very near future - not an answer for any country..... Pray for countries around the world that they would know how to effectively & decisively care for their orphans in a way that is best for the CHILDREN...("Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27)
And my dear friends, would you pray for us?? 
Pray that we would know this past year has not been in vain..... that we would feel God's leading even in the darkness... that we would trust with all our hearts...that we would LEAN, not on our own understanding that is slight, but on His that is infinite... that we would acknowledge Him in everything we do... that we would trust that He is the ONE who will straighten crooked paths & will reveal His will in His time.... ("Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3: 5&6)