Oh the turmoil of surrendering it all to God. This is what's happening...we're all ready to hit submit with our application and getting started on other adoption paperwork, and BAM the blog world explodes with news from Haiti our chosen country.
"On June 11th, 2012, Haiti ratified the Hague Convention on Inter country
Adoption. At this time we do not know the date that Haiti will deposit the
instrument of ratification to the Hague Permanent Bureau and we do not know
whether the Hague Permanent Bureau will accept the ratification. Ninety days
after the instrument is delivered, if the Hague Permanent Bureau accepts their
packet, Haiti will become a Hague country. We have been advised that it is
possible that Haiti may hold off for a considerable period of time in depositing
their ratification. There are still many unknowns at this point and a clear
timeline of how this will unfold is impossible to foretell.
At this
time the future effects of these changes for U.S. Citizens adopting from Haiti
are unclear. An ABI representative has been told that Haiti is in favor of
continuing international adoptions and has no intention of closing the adoption
program. The current administration of IBESR looks forward to creating a better
regulated system, with improved protections in place for Haitian biological
families and children being placed for adoption. IBESR made the decision to
temporarily stop accepting new adoption dossiers until August 1, 2012, making
clear their intention to clear out their backlog of cases and to allow IBESR
administration the time to implement new policies that would strengthen their
system.It is also unknown how the U.S. Department of State might react to Haiti’s ratification. Historically, even if the Department of State determines that a new Hague nation is not following the convention and therefore closes adoptions from that nation to U.S. Citizens, families in process – those who had filed a form I600-A – were allowed to complete their adoptions.
The Hague Permanent Bureau in their published Guidebook to Good Practices advocates gradual implementation and outlines recommended steps for this process that developing countries should take to strengthen international adoption practice but not prohibit the opportunity that inter country adoption affords to many children in need. Many countries have prematurely deposited their articles of ratification and/or implemented the Hague Treaty tenets in such a way that what was intended for child protection becomes a weapon against them. We certainly hold out great hope that Haiti may hold off on depositing their ratification until sufficient law changes have been passed in Haiti and until their social welfare system has developed the resources to accommodate a system of protection that is actually reasonable, practical and able to be implemented.
We believe this presents a unique opportunity for the poorest country in the western hemisphere to serve as a valuable model for the best way to implement Hague. We ask that all pray continuously for the Haitian leadership involved to have wisdom and discernment as they move forward.
At this time, Haitian adoptions remain open and a legal option for U.S. Citizens. ABI advises all families considering a Haitian adoption to proceed with caution as we continue to investigate Haiti’s accession to the Hague Convention and what it might mean for future adoptions from Haiti for U.S. Citizens. Families must be accepting of the risks of pursuing an adoption from Haiti. We further advise families to check the Department of State's adoption notices for current information on adoption from Haiti and any publications of Joint Council on International Children's Services regarding Haiti."
Basically, this means that the country will probably try and become a Hague country sometime in the near future (In adoption world, “Hague Country” means a country that has signed, ratified,
and implemented the Hague Convention Standards for Inter country Adoption. Each
step - signing, ratification and implementation- is separate and can take years. The same thing that Tim and Jill Bruno have had to endure). Most likely we will deal with it during our adoption. As if I want to complicate an already delicate process. But, I don't really get a choice do I?
This is my problem, wanting, and needing control! So, I've been throwing a little tantrum the past week or so. Talking with family about the decision to stick with Haiti (which seems illogical to me at this point!), and all the while little Avlynne shaking her head and rolling those huge eyes at me. As if I have to listen to a 10yr old! Hmph!
I've had a feeling that I would have a lot to learn from this whole process when Stephanie the Haiti director from our agency told me that "it's not the men that usually have a hard time with the attachment, it's the mothers!" And to think, I was worrying about how William would connect with a boy.
As I was reading an update about the new information to William last night, first thing he said was "we're still going with Haiti". And that's when I stomped my feet on the ground and shook my fists at God. I told William that this was my idea, I had to encourage the family to get on board and now it's just all out of my control, and God is using THEM to confirm what I'm not sure I want to hear?! Not fair, because by the worlds standards choosing to adopt from Haiti right now while we haven't really even started the process doesn't seem like a smart move. And sometimes I just want to make a decision on my own, one that sounds good to me. And by now, my arms are folded and I just want to cry but I'm not very good at that.
And so this morning I talk with a sweet, sweet lady that is Stephanie's mother. She is filling in while Stephanie is in the DRC . A country that would be fairly easy to adopt from right now, but my heart is at unrest with. And by the end of the conversation I am in tears, because I hear myself. I hear my stingy, dirty heart. I hear myself wanting to be in control, to call the shots. She tells me that there is no rush, it's not a race. But that's exactly how I feel. Not that I want to be at the end of it already, but I do want to win the race. Because not only do I feel called to adopt, I WANT to adopt. So by winning, I mean I want the race to end with a child in my arms. I feel like if we choose Haiti, there's a chance I'll lose...
I know I'm being silly. Please don't make too much fun of me. I'll probably be like a 2 yr old that is still taking deep hiccuped breaths 20 minutes after the meltdown, one little wrong move and we'll start all over again. ;)
-Contessa
