Happy and Sad

Yesterday we got the news that Agnoti has a living birth-father. We did not pass Monday's court because we need a letter from him stating his approval of our family adopting Agnoti. Our agency's lawyers were in a scramble to try find him before court closed. All day yesterday was spent imagining the difficulties of finding this man in such a short time-frame in a country of almost 100-million people. Then we had worries of him changing his mind or finding something he did not like about our family... Ugh!!!

Well, they managed to find Agnoti's birth-father We got a phone call at 5 am today. He wrote the letter approving our family for adoption. The letter went to the Minestry of Women's Affairs where they recommended our adoption to the courts. Our lawyer took all of the paperwork to the court and COURT WAS CLOSED FOR THE RAINY SEASON!!?#!!@>??!

Are you riding this roller coaster with us? Next, our agency director said that our lawyer had spoken with a judge who encouraged her to appeal the court. It turns out, even though court is closed they will allow some cases, under special circumstances, to be heard.

So, the plan is to appeal. We do not know how long this takes. The director of our agency is headed to Ethiopia (Praise God!!!) and while he is there, hopefully some action will occur. That man seems to be able to move mountains!

Today has been spent canceling our flights and guest-house reservations--very frusterating, very expensive. Our hearts are heavy. Though, we are hopeful we can still arrange a court date.

We are grateful beyond words to Agnoti's father for entrusting her to us. We are appreciative of the support we have received from family and friends. We are thankful for our fellow agency parents, who have been encouraging and sympathetic. All of which helps. And, we have a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. Her name is Agnoti.