Going on Safari

We are not...but our paperwork is.  Our legal response is en route to Nairobi.  I am tracking it, cross the world.  Silly, I know.  I feel like I am getting closer to Efa.

I have marveled that, for us, life seems to have been on hold, that the journey has gotten rocky, that we have had to change a few tires due to puncture wounds, that detours and road blocks have delayed our journey....but for Efa, none of this is true.  Part of the dis-synchronicity (is that even a word?) of adoption.  We fall in love with this little guy a world away, yet he has fallen in love with his care givers.  We have his picture up all over the house, and have studied his face.  He will not know who we are.   It will take pain and healing for synchronicity to begin to grow.  Unfortunately, it is Efa who will be in pain.

Efa celebrated his second birthday last weekend.  Never has the sensation of his babyhood slipping through my fingers been so strong.  Never has my prayer life been so vibrant.  However, I was so sad, that I actually posted a comment on Scott Brown's (our unresponsive senator) fb page.  After seeing Sen Brown on TV, on Efa's birthday (also, St. Patrick's day, a big day in Boston) yucking it up with his daughters and other politicians....I needed to do something.  This is the comment I posted.

We pleaded with your office three times to help us get a visa for our little boy who is till waiting in an orphanage in ET (months later). Other than the initial response, your office has not responded or helped at all. Sen Kerry's office and Rep Keating have been compassionate and responsive. I did get a call from your re-election campaign asking for money though. Again, I said...I would welcome a call or a response to our email...but until then, I will no longer support you with my vote or my money. Nothing like NEEDING help to see the fabric of our politicians. So disappointed with you.

Two days later, Jason received a call at his office from a staffer.  They talked for 45 minutes.  Jason only yelled when she said...if Efa had an injury or a disease that Scott Brown would get him out, but he was healthy enough and fine in an orphanage.  Jason said, "Healthy, by whose standard?"  He said, we had a healthy child adoption two years ago and she still is dealing with the remnants of being in care (very good care).  Have I mentioned we have had our 5th bought of pneumonia in 2 years?   He said that she would be hard pressed to find any doctor the would agree with her, and he wasn't even going to touch the emotional cost the children pay.  I know Efa is doing well.  He is loved.  He is in great care, as good as you get.  But Efa has a family.  Children should have families.  The disconnect was unbelievable.  Needless to say, the call ended without the staffer convincing us that not answering our emails was okay.  I guess Jason hit a nerve because he received a call after hours from the head of the office last night asking him to call them back on Monday.  At this point what can they do?  Fire Evan Elliot (hmmm tempting)?  Why?  So they can replace him with someone like him?  No way....we want changes.  USE should have a drop dead date....USCIS has thirty days to make a determination, so should USE.  USE needs to drop the sham of investigation.  There is no reason a phone call should take 7 weeks.  At any point we have been able to get in touch with the officers within hours. The only corruption I have seen is the intimidation used by the USE.  They are like a bully on the playground.  Only problem, the kiddos are the ones taking the hit.

I do feel like this part of the journey is coming to an end.  I feel like the real work is about to start.  One of the great joys of this adoption (yes there have been several) has been the friendships formed or grown.  The prayers, the texts, the phone calls, sweet gifts, comments.  I have been blessed by so many.  More news next week.  Praying it is good news, finally.