We got our number!

We just got an email from our agency and they gave us our number in line. We are 21, so there are 20 families ahead of us - probably about a 6 -8 month wait if not longer. With all the bad news at the beginning of this week, it was nice to get a call with some good news. Our agency has voluntarily pulled out of the two provinces mentioned in the Embassy statement, they are not under investigation nor have they ever had a problem or questioned the status of an orphan in the orphanges they work in, but they hold a licence in those areas and think it best for families on both sides to put things on hold for now until the Embassy gives the green light to continue. This should help to keep everyone safe and free from a NOID (notice of intent to deny). Good thing is, the head of the agency is in Vietnam right now and is meeting with many officials to discuss the corrupt practices in those 2 provinces. Our agency is urging other agencies that have licences in those areas to temporarily pull out as well in order to stay ethical and set an example for those who are not. Their thought is, they would rather have PAPs (perspective adoptive parents) have a longer referral time than be involved in a region known for unethical practices. If agencies continue to conduct adoptions in these regions, they are putting all of us at risk and are doing a complete disservice to all PAPs. I have gotten many emails from our agency over the last 2 days and Tim and I both feel confident that they are taking all necessary precautions to keep everything legal, ethical and RIGHT. Our agency is NOT one that is under investigation and has not had any problems, but are trying to protect all parties involved and the safest thing for all of us is for them to halt things for now in the two regions and continue to work in their other provinces. It is hard to put a timeline on a referral as most of you know, you can't really estimate at what rate parents are going to make the heartbreaking decision to give their child up for adoption, so we just keep praying and when God is ready for us to be matched it will happen. Our main concern at this time is all of the wrong-doing over there and we are relieved to get clear and consistent communication from our agency about their ethics and practices and feel that we made the right decision with our agency. If you are reading this and are involed with an agency that puts you on the "fast track" to your child, THINK TWICE and do the research.
God Bless.