Appointment Day at the NAC!!

Our appointment day has finally arrived!! We had a restless night "sleep", anxious for the morning to finally be here so we could get to our appointment with the NAC. I have not felt this anxious since cheerleading tryouts in the 9th grade!! Only with this, you really have no control whatsoever over the outcome and there is only our FAMILY'S FUTURE at stake! It really is the most daunting task we’ve ever undertaken. We arrived early for our appointment, so our facilitator, Sasha, calmed us with coffee from a kiosk on the street. After the Mocha-cappacinos in plastic cups, we walked to the NAC where we were met by a translator and taken to meet the social worker. Both women could not have been nicer but the entire process was quite overwhelming. We were told right off the bat that there are very few healthy young children available for adoption right now and all the girls on the registry have major health issues. The shortage is due to the months the NAC was closed last year, abandoned children were not able to be registered at the center. They are at the tail end of the children who were on the registry before the NAC closed. We were shown the files of three little girls, all with significant health issues. Our hearts were broken for these little ones, but it was quite clear from the files that their issues were more severe than we are equipped to handle. We were given the referral to one child, who is a potential and will travel to Zaporizhia on Sunday night with our interpreter Sergei to visit her at the orphanage there (new picture with Sergei and Sasha added to Our Album). We do not want to say too much because there is a possibility that she will not be available for adoption. Our only other option at this point is to get in line for another appointment, which could take several weeks. There are 31 families who did not get a “match” at all during their initial appointment who would be ahead of us for a 2nd referral. So we are thankful for at least something to pursue in the meantime (if we were to need the 2nd referral). God has been good and continues to remind of His provision and faithfulness to us. And He is bringing new meaning to one of my favorite verses each day: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 We're excited to see this promise unfold!
Thanks for taking the time to email and comment on our BLOG. You can’t imagine how much your prayers and words of encouragement have meant to us during this time!! The arms of Christ have reached us in Ukraine !! Thank you!! Blessings and much love, Hunter and Lauri