One Paper... Why So Long to Wait?

Yes, it's true: we are one document away from having travel dates to meet, get to know, & bring home our son. Human words could never express our sincere gratitude for how everyone is praying for & encouraging us. I just stood with a family after church yesterday asking about it all. As they stood with me, I explained what we knew. There stood a friend who let a tear fall on her cheek saying, "you're just so close!" It was so tender to me because WE ARE (so close).
So, I thought I would answer the questions here about why it's taking so long & when will the paper ever come?! After our first court date (which is birth family court and happened on October 27th), our dossier and all supporting documents the government requires, went to the MOWCA office (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs). This office is a government entity (for comparison's purposes, much like our U.S. state Department). Once our documents arrive there, our case is assigned to an expert. There are numerous "experts" at the office, therefore, depending on whose desk our documents hit can determine how quickly its reviewed. During the "investigation" by the expert, they will make sure all the required documents are present, signed by all necessary people, that investigations into the case by both the U.S. Government & the Ethiopian government are adequate investigations and no other papers or interviews are needed. Once the expert is confident our file is complete, he/she will have a letter of recommendation written. Once that letter is written it goes to the Head Minister who then has to sign off on it. As you can see, there are many moving parts and places for delays. So, it's one final paper, but it can take while. Originally, at the time of that first court date in October, the average turn around time for this document was 4-6 weeks. However, elections in Ethiopia brought in new government leaders in this office and that slowed down the process as transition, learning the process, and creating new guidelines have come into play.
All of this to say, we have no idea where in that process our file is... On an experts desk, on the head minister's desk, currently under review, etc. Therefore, we have no idea when it will come. It could be available tomorrow or we might still be waiting in three months.
Thank you for continuing to support us with prayer and encouragement. We will keep you updated when it comes! We sure do love you.
Until he's home.....