A Letter from Texas/Two Steps in Court

This has been a long week. 

When we set out to adopt Sofani people told us that there would be bumps on the road and that we would be frustrated because of the lack of control we would experience during the adoption process.  Since January things have been smooth sailing.  We hit our first bump last week and it felt like a pothole.  Let me explain what happened. 

There are two steps in the court proceedings in Ethiopia.  One is attended by the child’s closest relatives.  This happened last Thursday.  In Sofani’s case it was attended by his Aunt.  It’s also important to know that Sofani has a younger sister, Liya, that was adopted to a family in the U.S. about a year ago.  At last week’s hearing, the Judge wanted to know if Liya’s family wanted to adopt Sofani and keep the two siblings together.  As hard as this was to hear, we truly appreciate the Judge’s concern for the kids and held our breath as our agency worked to find Liya's parents.

Last Thursday and Friday seemed like a week.  Finally, on Friday evening, we heard from Sally (the caseworker from our agency).  She informed us that she tracked down Liya’s parents with the help of another agency and they weren't going to stand in our way.  They also said that they would be willing to write a letter to the Judge saying that they weren’t able to take Sofani and would work with us to keep Sofani and Liya in touch with one another once he was in the U.S.  We were thrilled.  We weren’t having any luck getting answers about Liya and her new family.  We’re grateful that the Judge asked the question and prompted the search that led us to this information.

Tonight we’re expecting to learn Liya’s parent’s names, their exact location and contact information.  At this point all that we know is that they live in Texas. 

Liya’s parent’s letter will accompany ours and will be given to the Judge at the family’s next hearing on Monday, May 14th.  We pray that the Judge accepts these letters and will assign a court date for the second step.  We also pray that the Judge will assign a court date for us during Monday’s proceedings.   This will mean that Staci and I will have a new travel date and can make arrangements to resume our plans and finally see Sofani.  We cannot wait.  It is difficult to think about anything else.

We put together a care package for Sofani that was shipped this morning.  He has a picture book with photos of our house, family, friends, aunts, uncles, church, school, etc.  Staci wrote descriptions under each picture so he could begin to visualize his new surroundings in Selma.  Staci also filled the box with a new outfit, Lego’s, candy and letters from each of us. 

Papaw Tom also installed the bunk bed system in Jackson and Sofani’s room.  I wish I would have had something like this in my fraternity house.  It’s unbelievable. 

We also learned that Sofani has become friends with two girls (sisters) ages 7 and 12 in the transition home in Addis.  Ironically, they’re going to be adopted to a family less than two hours from us in Ohio.  I made contact with them last night.  I’m happy that Sofani is going to have some friends to call and visit when he arrives.

If you’re praying for our new family to be united, please pray that the Judge accepts our documents, that we’re assigned a new court date very soon and for our son.  Sofani knows that we were delayed.  I have to think this was as disappointing for him as it was for us.  Please pray that Sofani remains hopeful and courageous.