and we wait

I try to limit my emails to our facilitator to one a week.  She is ultra busy, and I’m bound and determined not to drive her crazy with my frantic questions.  As the wait drags on, though, I do find myself staring at my computer in hopes that I can will an email update into my inbox.

As expected, she did send me a small update from our Congolese lawyer earlier this week.  And, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been trying hard to fight feelings of disappointment in the fact that little progress has been made in the past few weeks.  We do have our adoption decree from the judge!  But we’re still waiting on our supplemental judgement… which is required before we enter into the 30 day waiting period… at the end of which we will be issued a Certificate of Non-Objection… and alas, we await her passport, visa, and DGM clearance.  All of that adoption jargon is to say that we still have a bit of a ways to go.  And it’s so hard.

In nearly every email she sends, our facilitator reminds us that legal processes in eastern DRC are slow.  We knew this going into it, and she is obviously trying to give us realistic expectations.  And yet, I still find myself getting all bent out of shape when I compare our progress to those adopting from other parts of Congo.  But then I remember.  I remember why we felt called to adopt from this orphanage.  From eastern Congo.  I recall the tears that flowed that God-ordained night when I learned about the orphanage and knew…. just knew… that we would adopt from there.  And I stare at Elizabeth’s oh-so-sad face and beg God to give me the strength and patience that only He can give.

We’re still hoping that we can travel in late October/early November as has been suggested.  At this point, I think things are progressing as expected (read: slowly).  I just pray that they continue to progress.  That there are no unexpected hold-ups.  That our lawyer would feel the gravity of his work and that he would feel a sense of urgency in getting our case through the legal system.  Most importantly, I pray that I would find hope in Christ rather than encouraging emails and strides in our adoption.  That we would not simply trudge along and endure this wait but, rather, that His name would be made great through our road to bring Elizabeth home.