24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. -Romans 8:24-25

Now you're in the know!

Here's the latest information we have received as to WHY the wait time is so long.

Q: Why has the wait from LID(log in date) to referral increased over the past year and a half?

A: At a meeting held in December 2006 the CCAA announced that the number of dossiers received at the end of 2005 and through 2006 had increased over 200% from previous years. With this increase there are more dossiers for families than paper-ready children available for adoption, causing the wait time to increase. There are literally thousands of dossiers at the CCAA awaiting a referral and while there are undoubtedly enough children available in China, not all orphanages or children are registered with the CCAA for adoption. Unfortunately, there are extremely rural orphanages that lack the resources needed to register with the CCAA. The CCAA is working to register more orphanages; however, this is a lengthy and complicated process. America World is praying diligently and working to find new ways to see all orphanages become registered with the CCAA to allow all adoptable orphans to be placed in forever families.

It does help to have a little bit more information, and we are truly happy that the amount of dossiers has increased by 200%---that's more children with forever homes, and that is something to thank God for! It's important to keep it in perspective--
our desire is not only to bring home a daughter from China, but to see all orphans find a home, and thankfully that IS happening, slowly but surely!

Have a wonderful week!
Alissa

7 groups away!

Here is the announcement that our agency received this past week:

"America World is pleased to announce that we received 25 healthy
female referrals today! Families receiving referrals were logged into
the China Center of Adoption Affairs on October 27 and 31 of 2005
(group 235-236). The little girls are currently located in the
Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces and range in age from 7 to 15
months. Please join us in congratulating these families, and in
praying for them as they prepare to travel."

We're hoping now that the May 1 deadline has passed (with all the new restrictions), that maybe the process will speed up. IN case I haven't said it 300 times so far, we're group #244, logged in Dec 22, 2005. We're getting closer!

Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Alissa and Jason