Adoption Timeline and Update

Many have questions about our adoption, and I can not recall whom I have discussed everything with at this time.  Here's a brief breakdown of what occurred in Uganda and where we're at now.

July 8th - Arrived at our hut around 11:00 pm.

July 9th - Met Rose!

July 10th - Learned that our court date was cancelled due to an emergency leave of absence by our judge (this occured while we were in transit to Uganda, so we could not just stay home and wait for a new court date).

July 11-15th - Visited with Rose and volunteered at the baby home.

July 18th - Rose moved into our hut with us.

July 19th - Received a new court date for July 28th.

July 24th - Rose returned to the baby home because of our appointment with our attorney the following day.

July 25th - We met with our attorney regarding our case and what to expect at court.

July 27th - Rose moved back in with us.

July 28th - Woke up early to prepare for court; electricity went out at the courthouse and the judge had a meeting, so he did not see us.  Our attorney was confident that he would see us the next day.

July 29th - Same as yesterday; waited at the courthouse all day with Rose in tow.  Our attorney met with the judge, and then he said he was too tired to see us, so he went home.  At this point, I was advised to go home to our boys.

August 1st - Said goodbye to Rose and Darin and began my journey back to the United States.  The judge requested another document from our attorney and then left town for the remainder of the week.

August 9th - Our judge put our court date "on notice" because he wants to meet with the principle (or head) judge prior to meeting with us.

August 11th - Contacted our agency and was informed that our judge is actually refusing to see our case because of confusion of processing cases under the old law (we were grandfathered in, so there is not supposed to be any problem with our case).

Thankfully, our attorney has a positive rapport with the principle judge and is hopeful that he will see our case and grant us guardianship.  This has only happened to one other family, and the judge did grant the guardianship (the attorneys that worked that case are also our attorneys).  Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if our adoption case will be accepted before the judge.  The process could take weeks or months.  

First and foremost, please pray for Rose.  While we are confident that she is being well cared for in the baby home, it's not the same as being raised in a family.  Please pray for our hearts in all of this. We don't understand everything that is happening, but we are caught in the middle of a battle within the judicial system.  And it hurts.  In the bigger picture, we are in the midst of a spiritual battle.  It doesn't help that Darin and I are on different continents at a time when we need each other the most.

However, I believe in the power of prayer.  Our God is bigger than this and desires for Rose to be home with us.  If you feel so inclined, you may join me in fasting as I dedicate time to prayer.

NEW UPDATES

September 8, 2016 - New court date scheduled for September 29th

September 29, 2016 - Court date!

October 11, 2016 - Verbal ruling date...did not happen

October 28, 2016 - Verbal ruling in our favor!

December 5, 2016 - Received Rose's birth certificate

Heart of a Child Baby Home

I can not even begin to describe how amazing the baby home is where Rose resides.  It is enormous and on beautiful grounds.  The baby home is very clean and organized - quite impressive with so many little ones!  The directors, Ken and Cathy, are followers of Christ, and this is reflected in all that they do.

The baby home is referred to as a "transition home" rather than an "orphanage" because many of the children are not actual orphans and may be reunified with their families/relatives.  When families are in transition and seeking employment or struggling with other things, the baby home cares for babies and children. For example, there are triplet girls at the baby home right now, and they will eventually be reunited with their mom, who is currently working and saving money in order to support her girls.

Employees
There are eight full-time nannies, most of whom live at the baby home.  Unlike other baby homes, their nannies only care for the babies and children (each nanny is assigned 4-5 babies/children).  They do not have to do clean up or cook meals, which allows for them to spend more quality time with the babies and children in their care.  The baby home employs three full-time women to take care of the laundry. Currently, all laundry is hand-washed and hung on lines outside to dry.  There are also two full-time cooks, as well as two males (guards/larger cleaning jobs), who reside in a small facility behind the baby home.

This is only SOME of the laundry done each day.

Drying socks in the window.

Babies and Children
The baby home currently has about 30 babies and children (one little girl, Rose's "sister" and friend, was joyfully reunified with her mom and grandfather while we were there), ranging in age from infant to nine years of age.  They are joyful children, which speaks volumes about their care.  Always willing to play, they will run up and pull on your hands, legs, clothes, etc., just to gain attention. They LOVE visitors and are incredibly welcoming.  When I would sit on the floor, I often had children behind me playing with my hair, children/babies in my lap, and children resting on my legs.  I left each day exhausted (and covered in urine, dirt, sweat, and drool), but filled with this indescribable joy.  Side note: I have a TON of pictures, but can not share most of them due to confidentiality reasons.  No faces permitted.

These babies are drinking a high-protein porridge from LARGE cups.
Surprisingly, they never spill!

The sweet little girl is one of the triplets; she was playing with my hair
while the little boy slept in my lap in a seemingly uncomfortable position.

Funding
Heart of a Child Baby Home is operated by Nightlight Christian Adoptions (NCA).  As per their agreement, NCA does not provide payment to the baby home for adoptions (this is becoming more and more common, as it prevents "quick" or "illegal" adoptions).  Instead, the baby home is funded by donations from families and churches.  Currently, they are not fully funded.  If you would like to assist the baby home with a tax-deductible donation, please contact Nightlight Christian Adoptions.  Even better, why not prayerfully consider visiting the baby home and volunteering your time?  Or perhaps considering adoption?

Needs
I am working on compiling a "Wish List" of items that the baby home needs in order to operate.  In addition to my suitcase, I will be taking four cases of donations when I return to Uganda in the coming months.  Unfortunately, items can not be mailed to the baby home.  Even if they did make it (which it is highly unlikely that they won't), the baby home would be taxed a large sum on the packages.  Many have already agreed to donate formula and medication - thank you!  Another huge need is "plastic pants" or cloth diapers.