CNN story on Vietnam Adoptions

For those of you following the turmoil happening with Vietnam adoptions, please click on this link to a 4-minute CNN news report. You must listen to a commercial first, and then the adoption story will play.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2007/11/30/cho.adoption.delay.cnn
This helps to explain some of the issues going on in Vietnam right now. Thankfully, we will apply for Lela's visa before we travel (new procedure), so this should not be an issue for families going in the future.
Remember these families who are in limbo in prayer. I can't imagine how hard this has been.
Kathy
"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24

Her Name is Lela Grace

We finally decided on a name for our baby girl...Lela Grace Irwin. She will be given a Vietnamese name, so we may keep part of it as a 2nd middle name. We will decide that later. We are excited to finally have a name. Now, we just need to get her home!
Kathy
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Happy day

One of our 4 families in Vietnam received word today that their baby's visa has been granted and they are headed home!! Remember the other 3 families in prayer, as they work toward this goal.
Kathy
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

Good news.....2nd post today!

We just received word that our paperwork (dossier) is headed to Vietnam. In the adoption world, we call this DTV (dossier to Vietnam). This is truly a milestone, especially with the happenings as of late.
Keep praying!
Kathy
"O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people." Psalm 117:1

Waiting....but hopeful

Not a lot to report about the meeting today....other than, it appears that no drastic changes were made & adoptions will continue for the time being between the US and VN. I'm sure cases will be scrutinized more closely --- and this is a good thing. The US & Vietnam have a planned meeting in March to re-sign country to country adoption agreements. My hope is that relations will continue at least until this time. Of course, nothing is rock solid when dealing with international adoption.
Our 4 families continue in VN. Keep praying.
Keep praying that our faith will be strong through this, as it appears we are still moving forward. I made a comment to my Sunday school class about a month ago that I was shocked at how smoothly this adoption has been. Bam! Shouldn't have said that! Pray that we will follow as the LORD leads - be it through storms or smooth sailing.
Kathy
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:14

Vietnam adoption troubles

I thought I would share a link with you in case you would like to follow the turmoil happening in Vietnam concerning adoption. http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/adoptionstatement1107.html
In turn, our adoption agency has halted all new applications to Vietnam. This is a little scary, but thankfully, we are far enough in the process, that we will still proceed. Of course, our prayer is that the USCIS will not close down US adoptions completely, like they did from 2002-2005 (due to similar happenings). The USCIS has called for a meeting that will take place on Monday. They have asked all licensed agencies to attend. This is worrisome. The USCIS has placed a new procedure that should help identify potentially unethical cases before families travel, so I hope this will help with future cases. Our 4 families are still in Vietnam and our agency has lawyers in place in the US and in VN, trying to release the babies' visas so they can come home. Keep praying for these tired, emotionally drained families.
As for us, we feel strongly that the LORD led us to adopt from Vietnam. And we fear for the orphans of this country if the US shuts down US adoptions there. Pray that we will not worry and trust as the LORD works out His plan.
Dennis & Kathy
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25

Pray for Vietnam Adoption Process

I'll not go into great detail, but some upsetting happenings are going on in the adoption world in Vietnam right now. 4 families from our agency (as well as many others from other agencies) are in Vietnam, fighting for permission to return to the US with their babies. They have been there nearly 6 weeks (planned on 3 weeks) and have no word yet of when they can return. Several have spouses and/or children at home. Please help us pray for them and the entire Vietnamese adoption situation.
Thanks. Kathy
“For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.” Psalm 71:5