Our First Adoption Event

On Friday we went to our first adoption event. A local church sponsored it through their adoption ministry. There was an amazing speaker talking about how God calls us to care for the orphans and widows. Jason and I left energized and compelled. I AM one of the good Samaritans. I would stop and help someone in need on the side of the road (have done, actually).

The whole night I kept tearing up at the photos of those adopted. How far I have come! A couple of months ago I was crying in the same church because I couldn't have kids. Now I was crying because I'm so happy my child is, or soon will be, out there.

I would be lying if I didn't say I'm still worrying. I'm a planner. I know my next steps, but am nervous about the steps after those. I wrote a facilitator from Kazakhstan and the Kazak embassy, yesterday. I just want a clear picture on how the process works in their country right now. Most adoption blogs I'm reading are over two years old. So many things have changed since then. I hope they write back with some good information.

I'm also concerned about the amount of time we have to be over there. I know I can take a month or so off and be fine. Jason can't, though. He just started this job and has to work like a mad man to keep it. I know if I continue to trust in the Lord, he will take care of all things. I know this. I have to keep reminding myself it will all work out. 

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is our first choice. Children who are available for adoption by foreigners range from approximately 5-6 months to 14 years of age. There is no national or international adoption registry in Uzbekistan, and children typically become available for adoption/referral once they are admitted to the orphanage at about 1-2 months old, and could be as young as 4-5 months at the time adoption is finalized. 

Most children are of Uzbek descent, with olive skin and slightly Asian features. Uzbekistan represents a variety of ethnic groups, including Uzbek, Russian, Ukrainian, German (all Caucasian races), Kazakh (Mongol race), and Tatar. There are many Slavic and Mongol children as well, making for a very diverse population. All siblings are legally separated when they are admitted to the orphanage, so two children can be adopted simultaneously only when their adoptions are treated totally separately (i.e. a family would prepare and authenticate a separate dossier for each child) All children offered for adoption live in government-supervised orphanages. Adoptive families may choose the age and gender of the child they wish to adopt. There are a large number of children between the ages of 1 and 6 years. The majority of available infants have been abandoned at birth by their birth mothers.

Uzbekistan adoptions are new for the U.S. and Uzbekistan. We recognize additional risks and volatility associated with this new program, but hope this program might be a good fit for families who are able to recognize and manage these risks. There are many children in dire need of a family in Uzbekistan. The majority of children are abandoned at birth by their mothers. In the Uzbekistan culture, alcohol and drug usage are not socially acceptable. Incidences of fetal alcohol syndrome and drug related problem are rare, as well as HIV and Hepatitis C. Children available for adoption are generally healthy. Orphanage physicians carefully select all children for referral to families. The selection is based on current evaluation of the child's health and development. Typical orphanage delays are expected for institutionalized children. All children available for adoption from Uzbekistan are tested for HIV, Hepatitis A and B, Tuberculosis, and Syphilis prior to adoption. History of inoculations is also provided, when available. 

Uzbekistan is one of the lesser known countries that were once a part of the former Soviet Union. It is a fascinating country, with centuries-old history and culture that could not be eradicated even bydecades of communist regime. It is not surprising, therefore, that Uzbekistan's orphanage system similar to that of Russia or other former republics, but adoptions are ultimately decided by mayor offices, the closest thing to elders' council. There have been very few adoptions from Uzbekistan so far, but growing relationship with the West slowly broadens the doors of international adoption in Uzbekistan. 

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. Uzbekistan is the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a producer of chemicals and machinery. The change from a communist government to a capitalist nation has brought change in the social and economic life for the people of Uzbekistan. There is much evidence today of Uzbekistan's struggle to adapt to a new social order.

Most Uzbeks live in densely populated rural communities. There is much evidence of pride in Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage. Tashkent, the capital, is Central Asia's premier metropolis. It is a modern city of 2.1 million people where the metro is the most convenient way to traverse the city. Its 2,000 year history as a crossroads connecting Europe and China is responsible for monumental architecture, fine museums and sculptures. Old Tashkent is the famous part of the city as it dates back to the 15th century.

Uzbekistan is mostly Muslim (Sunni). The government will force every citizen into labor, especially during the cotton harvest. Cotton is their main source of income, though they are trying to get away from that. Children can be forced to pick cotton for the government. Human trafficking is also rampant there. The average level of education is 12 years. 

Selecting a Country

Several people have asked why we aren't adopting in the U.S. First of all, we can only adopt from a private adoption because of Jason's epilepsy. It's a sad fact that governments and agencies won't accept couples with an epilepsy diagnosis. I also don't like some of the adoption laws and red tape. The birth mother has several months to change her mind about the adoption. The government will come into your home, where you have been taking care of your child, and remove the baby giving it back to the birth mother. 

I have always, always pictured myself holding a child who doesn't look anything like me. When I was trying naturally, it always bothered me that I couldn't imagine my child. I couldn't envision me holding my baby in a hospital. What I can see 100% is a child who doesn't look like me. I can see me going to another country, going through the court system, and returning home with my family a little larger. I can not only see it, but feel it. This is my path. This is exactly where God wants me. 

I started looking at ways we can adopt international. With the epilepsy, any country who has entered into the Hague Agreement, will not accept adopting parents with epilepsy. Jason and I contemplated lying about it. We know we can find a doctor to pronounce him fit, but do we really want to force an adoption?

Through my research, I came across independent international adoptions. These are countries who have not entered into the Hague Agreement. These countries do not allow adoption agencies into the country. Their governments control the process. While this can be riskier (as one has to be willing to do the work oneself), the rewards can be great. The fees are about half what they would be with an agency. They also don't limit based on epilepsy.

Click here to see a list of non-Hague Agreement countries (this is subject to change).

Looking through these countries, a friend recommended Ukraine for adoption. There are a lot of successful stories on adoption from Ukraine on the internet. It looked very promising! After a couple of hours searching, I found where Ukraine has closed all adoptions to foreigners for any child under the age of 6. This won't really work in our case.

On the list, Uzbekistan comes after Ukraine. I started looking at it and Kazakhstan, as those are both in the same region. The children are absolutely beautiful! There are not many adoption stories from the last 3 years, but a new law was just passed which helped open up more adoptions to international families. 

After praying on it, we are sure this is the region for us. We feel this is the direction God is leading us and are extremely excited.