From Disappointment to Heartbreak

Unfortunately our news got much worse today. We were advised by AoH to not travel to Liberia. I can't share at this time what is going on, we will have more detailed information tomorrow, but it not a political situation nor any danger, but a situation involving all adoptions with all agencies, and the US Embassy will make an announcement tomorrow that will give us more information. Due to weather problems in Green Bay, Kim's flight to Chicago was delayed several hours so that she missed her connection to Brussels. During that time I was able to make several phone calls, get the information I needed, and contact Kim before she left the country. The weather is extremely bad in Chicago, so several flights were cancelled and what flights were left were completely booked, but an agent had sympathy towards Kim when she heard our story, and got her on a 6:15 flight home. Don't know the flight number or if the flight actually was able to leave in the weather, but I trust she did. The only bright spot in all this, is I was really wrestling with being away with my grandmother in such dire health. And I'm praying i will get home in time to say my good-bye's and at the very least will be home for the funeral. We obviously are numb from everything that has transpired. We know that we have more hassles ahead as our home study expires, and even stricter regulations come down from Liberia requiring 3 weeks stay prior to adopting. Not sure how all that will affect us and our children's future, but i will continue to stay true to my belief that it will all happen in God's perfect timing.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

Disappointment

Gabriella will not be coming home with us...

Unless a miracle happens, we will not be taking Gabriella home with us next week. Chris Dehtho, our social worker in Liberia sent the following e-mail to AoH this morning

The Embassy has requested DNA for Kimberly Peters( BASTEN FAMILY). There is so much issue going on here with the Ministry of Health with regards to Case History reports. The Ministry has informed the US Embassy to put a hold on some cases that they claim were not signed by the appropriate individual. Acres of Hope is not involved but they are going to delay the issuance of visas. Please let the Basten family know that it is ok for them to get a visa for Boimah Mambu and that they should send over the DNA kit for Kimberly and mom ASAP so that we can start the DNA process from this end.

So Rachel, our AoH contact in the US sent us the following e-mail.

Kim asked that I email you, Dale, to inform you about the Kimberly's bio family interview. The Embassy has requested a DNA test on Kimberly and her mother. You will be able to get Boimah's visa and take him home with you as planned; however, Kimberly will have to wait until the DNA results come back. We are taking care of having the DNA kit sent to the Embassy for you. I'd estimate it will take about 6-8 weeks to get the results back (it's a lengthy process of getting the kit there, getting the samples, having the Embassy or Clinic send it back to the lab here in the US, doing the test which is the shortest piece, and sending the results back to the Embassy which won't accept emailed results only hard copies). While the DNA is being done, we will keep tabs on it for you and you don't need to do anything.

I am at peace with everything going on, however disappointed. The "good" news was I was able to tell Kim before she got on the plane so she has the plane ride to process everything. She is hopefully just beginning her journey over the Atlantic from Chicago. I so look forward to seeing her tomorrow. As I stated yesterday, I trust in God's perfect timing for everything going on. Thanks again for your prayers.

It's Gabriella's Mom's Embassy Day

I've attached a couple pictures from downtown Stavanger. They have quaint shops and restaurants and coblestone roads. Our hosts Egil Mønnich and Geirr M. Ims from EM Software Partners took us out last night for a wonderful dinner. I had fish soup and a wild game stew that was in wonderful historic old ship building. They have been very gracious hosts.

Kim flys out later today so I'm very much looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. And later today I should find out how Gabriella's bioFamily interview went at the Embassy. Kim will have to wait until tomorrow night to find out.

Lastly continue to pray for my Grandma. Here she is pictured with the kids from a couple months ago. They've taken her off of her normal medicine and have her on morphine to make her comfortable. Many have said their goodbyes, and so it's only a matter of time. My mom put the phone up her ear and she said my name which was more than she had said for most of the day yesterday, so I take comfort in knowing I was able to say I loved her.

Another Praise!

Greetings again from Stavanger Norway. Wanted to share a quick update. Kim was able to secure a bioFamily Embassy appointment for Gabriella's mom for tomorrow (Thursday at 9am). So God has been faithful and has answered our prayers, and we trust that by tomorrow night we shall be set to pick up both of our children. There will be two other couples experiencing the same joy as us in Liberia next week.

Also please pray as Kim travels tomorrow. She leaves Green Bay at 12:30CST and should be in Brussels by 7:30am CET (Central European Time) Friday. She'll then have 12 hours by herself to adjust to the time change waiting for me.

Lastly please pray for my mom and grandma. They have taken away all my grandmothers medication and just have her on Morphine for pain. Her breathing is very labored and difficult and her condition is not very good. Obviously it is a difficult time for my mother and me, being half way around the world and not being able to comfort her. Also the thought of not being there should something happen has been difficult to take. But God is the God of all situations, and I continue to trust in his perfect timing for everything.

Hilsning (Greetings)

Hello again from Norway. Things are going well half way around the world. I find the people of Norway to be so very friendly and the culture to be enjoyable. In fact Stavanger where I am staying (the 4th largest city in Norway) was voted the European Capital of Culture 2008. But wow are things expensive. The average meal at a steakhouse is $60-$70. A car the size of a Ford escort wagon (Peugeot) is $50,000. I've never seen so many small cars in my entire life. A typical home is around $3,000,000 kroners (NOK) which translates to approx $550,000 and the typical home is modest ($1 USD = $5.5 NOK). They are taxed 25% sales tax on goods 11% on food, but hospitals and most education are free. So they are just used to paying outrageous prices all the time. Norway has a national church - the Church of Norway . Everyone born is a member of the church. There has been much debate among the people whether to continue this practice.

But now the News I really am writing about: THEY FOUND GABRIELLA'S MOTHER!

Blessed are you, God of Israel, our father

from of old and forever.

To you, O God, belong the greatness and might,

the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor;

Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth;

the kingdom all yours! You've raised yourself high over all.

Riches and glory come from you,

you're ruler over all;

You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand

to build up and strengthen all.

And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you,

praising your splendid Name.

So they are keeping her at the orphanage or somehow under their care until we are able to get a new bioFamily interview at the Embassy. Kim has already e-mailed the embassy requesting one, and will try calling tomorrow morning. So although it's not a done deal yet, things look pretty good to get this done by next week. So we would appreciate your prayers to continue to cover us through this and all the way through next week until we get home. We need prayer for our children's health. Prior to this wonderful news, Kim was extremely discouraged, as Olivia was running a fever and then the school called to pick up Elizabeth as she came home early with an ear-ache. As a mother she is worrying about the thought of leaving sick children in someone elses care. There is some guilt in this as well.

Also if you could pray for my grandmother (Mabel) who is 87 and just entered the hospital today with congestive heart failure. Not only is this a serious health problem, but my mother, her only living child, is responsible with decisions and care. She is also the one who was going to watch the kids for the first 3 days we are gone in Africa. We don't want to be another burden to her during this difficult time. So we are praying for wisdom on what to do. Thanks again for your continued support and prayers. We believe whole-heartedly that God was glorified through your prayers.

Need Prayer Again

Please join us as we pray that they find Gabriella's (Kimberly's) mother today. Chris (the Liberian social worker working our case) informed us through Rachel that they are sending someone into the bush today to search for Gabriella's mother. Please pray for favor from God to guide the steps of those searching on our behalf. We believe that God will work this out and that we will bring Gabriella home in two weeks.

By the way, greetings from Amsterdam. I made it safely to Europe this morning, and I'm just waiting for my final connection to Norway. Please pray for my family while I'm away. It was especially difficult for Elizabeth. Thankfully through the miracle of the internet and webcams, we'll be able to see each other and talk despite our distance.

Also God placed a national named Martina Gehrken-Trappe from East Africa (Tanzania) on my 8 1/2 flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam. We had a real enjoyable time sharing our stories. She is a caucasion widow who grew up in Germany, but has spent the last 23 years in Tanzania. Her children are grown, but she has many African foster children and mothers that she supports through her B&B in Tanzania. Check out her wonderful place at http://www.rivertrees.com/. Also she is involved with NGOs and actually had Bono from U2 at her place and she prepared dinner for 500 people involved with TED (http://www.ted.com/ ). Check it out - it looks pretty interesting.

It's Official - Josiah is Ours!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally great news after a roller coaster week. We received word from AoH that Josiah's BioFamily interview went without a hitch today and so barring an act of God, Josiah will be coming home with us in two weeks. So the Visa appointment the week we are in Liberia is merely a formality to pick up the Visa and so we have reason to celebrate. We had hoped to feel this excitement on Tuesday for both children, but we are happy to be where we are none the less. Still no sighting of Gabriella's mom. Another couple (Tim and Kim ... can't rember their last name) expecting to travel on Sunday to pick up their child were supposed to have their bioFamily interview today and find themselves in the same position of being unable to locate their child's mother. So they are in a position of not knowing even if they will travel on Sunday. So their are two women in Liberia being searched for. I intend to talk to the US Consulate and explain the difficult position this new requirement has put adoptive couples in - and especially so late in the adoption process. Right now, the system is broke, and so hopefully I can at least appeal to reason and see if I can't help provide insight from the adoptive side of things.