Lots of exciting changes!!

I don't have alot of time to write a long post right now, but I wanted to update everyone on the recent changes that are happening.

As of my last blog we were reconsidering our decision with Ethiopia due to changes in the traveling. Since then, we have began researching other countries to see which one would be the best fit for us, as well as maintain our mission and calling of reaching those that are in the greatest need.

Well, we have officially chosen another country. We will be adopting from the Democratic Republic of Congo! This is a large country in the center of Africa. There is a HUGE need in this country! There are over 5 million orphans who are in need of homes! I would like to share more about the state of the country right now, but I am pressed for time. I will save that for my next blog post.

We also had to switch agencies because the agency that we were with does not work with Congo. We found a very small but reputable agency that we are now working with. We just mailed in our application along with the application fee. Our homestudy is being scheduled for the second week of May and should be completed by the end of May. After that, our wait time will begin. The adoption process in Congo is VERY fast! Although the country is rapidly gaining momentum, we are expecting that our child will be coming home by no later than December. Although, alot of unexpected things can come up with adoption. So the time frame could be shorter or longer. The estimated wait time right now with this agency is 4-7 months from beginning to end! I am praying that our child will be home before the holidays!!

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are more boys available than girls. And since we are fully open to the possibility of a boy, this will decrease our wait time and mean that we will VERY likely receive a boy! We are planning to adopt a 2-3 year old. Our agency works with an orphanage that does not allow parents to adopt an infant unless they are "childless". We are completely fine with adopting a slightly older child. But the oldest that the child will be is 3.

We have started researching alot about the country as well as what we need to be prepared for in regards to adopting a slightly older child.

Needless to say, we are VERY excited and can't wait to meet our little boy soon!

Please pray for our family, and specifically for our daughter. I want to make sure that she is prepared for the changes that are about to happen. Also, please pray that God will provide the finances when they are needed for this adoption. The cost to adopt from Congo is roughly $17,000. It is a lot less than the other countries that we have researched, which is a blessing. But $17,000 is still a LOT of money that we need to come up with.

I will try to post another blog soon to keep everyone posted. This adoption will be moving faster than we anticipated, which we are thrilled about. But we are still a little nervous. We want to make sure that God will bring in the finances and that we will be fully prepared.

Until then.....

Love,
Holly