big news: The JCICS posted an update yesterday:
November 7, 2007
Joint Council has continued to advocate for a rational and child centric transition to the Hague Convention in Guatemala. During our recent presentation at the Adoption Ethics & Accountability Conference in Washington, D.C., Joint Council called for the completion of adoptions in-process, the implementation of the Conventions core elements, an effective implementation date of April 2008 and funding for capacity building. We have continued to work with our colleagues in Guatemala along with members of the Guatemalan Congress in developing a functional child welfare system.
We can now report that members of the Guatemalan Congress, including numerous party chiefs, have submitted a new legislative proposal which;
- Includes a strong ‘grandfather’ clause,
- Designates April 30, 2008 as the effective implementation date of the Convention,
- Allocates $5 million Quetzales ($650,000 USD) for the creation of the Central Authority
- Allocates a percentage of the total government budget for child welfare services
- Creates a new government entity to act as the Central Authority in Guatemala,
- Provides for private non-profit accredited entities to provide services to children,
- Allows single potential adoptive parents to apply for adoption,
- Creates a functional process by which children can find a permanent, safe and loving family.
The new legislation is scheduled to be introduced to Congress early next week. In line with our mission of advocating for the right of each child to a permanent family, Joint Council will continue to work with our colleagues in Guatemala towards a positive and child centric implementation of the Convention.
It all sounds good to me, but I'm trying not to get too excited. This could be an answer to prayer!! Isn't it awesome when you can actually see evidence of your prayers?!? This is one of those times. What an encouragement to pray even harder!!
Please continue to pray for me and Flor. Pray that if this is the extra time I needed, that all that needs to get done, will. Pray for swift processing and for favor in the eyes and hands of everyone that my paperwork comes in contact with. Pray for Flor's health and well-being while she waits for me. I know she is so well taken care of, but it hurts my heart not to be able to be the one doing the taking care of!!
God is good!!
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him
