On Oprah today we watched in horror the stories of child slavery in Ghana. As much as it was interesting to see boys as young has four with huge biceps and six packs, it was disturbing and heart wrenching to watch the story unfold. After reading an article from the New York Times, Oprah sent out one of her correspondents to investigate. Today was the special report on her show. Please read article: Africa's World of Forced Labor in a 6-Year-Old's Eyes by Sharon LaFraniere October 28, 2006. More pictures and dialogue can be seen / hear through this slideshow. If you are unable to take the time to read any other article I provide here, please listen to the slideshow.
The second half of Oprah's show was of a lady who read the same article and decided to make a difference. She did something about it. She rescued the little boy from the article, as well as six other children. Their story can be read at The Village of Hope.
The representative from IOM was on Oprah at the end of the show. He advised that there are still many children, in the high hundreds / low thousands, still in slavery.
______________________________________________
We received news today regarding our adoption. Our medical forms for Mikiyas have been received in our agency's office in Ethiopia. Mikiyas is scheduled to see the immigration doctor on February February 12, 2007 for his physical examination. On either February 16 or 23 the report will be forwarded to Niarobi. Once there, a second physician will review the medical. A positive review means there are no hindrances for a visa to be issued once all the legal documents are received.
To date though, no court date has been booked. Our file seems to be doing things backwards right now. The court date usually happens much faster - before the medicals are completed.
It is our hope and prayer that we leave for Ethiopia to pick up Mikiyas in the later half of March. We were told today that it was looking like March was no longer going to happen for us: "It would be a real stretch for the visa to be back by the end of March- so I think at this point March is out. But April is looking pretty good right now?"
The timing of leaving after March 15, 2007 is important to us. It fits with Lyle's schooling schedule, and it fits with my work schedule perfectly [long story!]. Aside from our personal schedule, it would be such a blessing to be able to show our rep the joy in what God can do when He's in control. Please join us in prayer that this happens. God's timing outweighs any other schedule. What can seem impossible to process is possible with God.
To date though, no court date has been booked. Our file seems to be doing things backwards right now. The court date usually happens much faster - before the medicals are completed.
It is our hope and prayer that we leave for Ethiopia to pick up Mikiyas in the later half of March. We were told today that it was looking like March was no longer going to happen for us: "It would be a real stretch for the visa to be back by the end of March- so I think at this point March is out. But April is looking pretty good right now?"
The timing of leaving after March 15, 2007 is important to us. It fits with Lyle's schooling schedule, and it fits with my work schedule perfectly [long story!]. Aside from our personal schedule, it would be such a blessing to be able to show our rep the joy in what God can do when He's in control. Please join us in prayer that this happens. God's timing outweighs any other schedule. What can seem impossible to process is possible with God.
5 comments:
Sheri I will pray that you get a court date very soon...strange that no court date has been set. I am praying that March 15th happens for you.
Louise
I will try and get a backdated copy of the Oprah show, my friend tends to tape them regularly.
It is always so shocking, so sad when we see children being abused/exploited and living in abject poverty. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Lesley
I too watched Oprah today. My heart just aches for these little ones. The sad part is that when the parents sold their children for 20 dollars they had no idea what their children were enduring.
www.oprah.com has more info as well.
We will continue to pray for guys and Mikiyas that he can come home soon.
Love you guys,
Renee
The link to the New York Times was very very sad. But thank you for sharing it.
It seems like you guys are going though something similar to what I've been going through. You are having to fight to love a child. God bless you on your road to parenting.
Have a God day!
Mike M
The post is Lisa's Blogger identity is from me...Must not have changed it after posting something for her on her blog LOL.
Louise
Post a Comment