| Walking by faith, not by sight... Our Vietnam Adoption |
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| In late March, the director of our adoption agency returned from a trip to Vietnam with his Vietnam adoption program ready to go. He had been in the process of setting it up for the past year and a half. He brought back pictures of children who he knew to be paper-ready, and pre-cleared by the INS as bonafide orphans (therefore available for adoption by Americans). A friend of ours decided to adopt one of the babies in the picture. While we shared her excitement, we didn't think it would be possible for us to adopt another child right now because our China adoption was in process, and because of all the committments and transitions our family was facing this summer. However, at an agency social event, my husband and I both saw the pictures of the babies. I said, "Its too bad its not a good time for us." My husband just smiled. He smiled all the way home in the car. I know that smile. Its a long story, but after much prayer and consultation of family and friends, we decided that all our reasons for not attempting to bring one of these children home were insignificant compared to the chance to bless and be blessed by a child. Update: July 2001: We recently learned that we will not be able to adopt the baby we saw in the picture. While we are very disappointed for ourselves, we are praying for her that she will soon be with her forever family. We still believe there is a child in Vietnam meant to be part of our family. We are now waiting for a referral. Update: October 2001: At this point, we feel it is unlikely we will be able to adopt from Vietnam at this time. Many agencies are no longer receiving referrals from Vietnam, and our agency seems to be no exception. If you are researching Vietnam adoption, Vietnam is NOT closed to adoption, as the rumor mill would have it, but only certain agencies are able to do Vietnam adoptions right now. If you want more information on Vietnam adoption, check out: http://www.adoptvietnam.org The possibility remains that we could get a referral, but we are trying to be realistic in our expectations. That third child is in our hearts. We don't know where she (or he) is, or even if she/he is born yet. Our plan is to adopt again from China after we complete our next Chinese adoption, if we cannot adopt from Vietnam. We still believe the space in our hearts for a third child was created for a reason, so we are trusting God to work it out the way He has planned! REFERRAL!!!!! January 2, 2002: We are in shock! In our minds, this adoption was on hold, but here he is.....click the bear to meet our baby! Travel plans! February 1, 2002: Alice is leaving in February 18 for the first of two trips necessary to adopt Quang from Vietnam! The first trip will be under a week long. Alice will meet Quang (who will turn 4 months while she is there) and submit our dossier to the Department of Justice in HoChiMinh City. While there, she will receive an official date to return and adopt Quang, probably the first week in April! First trip is complete! March 2002: Well, Tim went on the first trip, due to the fact that Alice is very unexpectedly and miraculously pregnant! Tim did run into a few paperwork snags in HoChiMinh City, but in the end, our dossier was accepted, and we have an adoption date for Quang of April 3! Tim and his dad will travel to adopt Quang (soon to be John-Marc Quang) and should be back home with him by the second week in April! We are SO excited! Tim was able to see Quang twice. He is a tiny peanut of a baby--8 lbs 13 oz , and 20 1/2 inches at 4 months--but seems very healthy and alert! To see pictures of our sweetie, click the bear! John-Marc Quang is home! April 2002!: Tim and his dad arrived home with John-Marc on April 11, 2002! They had a smooth trip, with no problems with the adoption or INS! We are so thankful! Click here for pictures of John-Marc's homecoming! |
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