I spent a bit of time over the past couple of days sending out e-mail to anyone and everyone I thought might have a handle on what the latest State Department bulletin meant, in general and specifically to us. People were very quick and thorough in their responses and it is safe to make a few conclusions.
First, this bulletin, although it appears to be generic and widespread in its ramifications, will really only mean inordinate waiting for some. It seems as if a few agencies have had complaints filed against them by parents who are suspicious about their children's social histories. Couple that with the crisis in Haiti and the "news" reports lambasting trans-racial adoptions and/or the Ethiopian adoption programs and you have a brewing firestorm.
Second, our agency is not one of those allegedly in question.
Third, our tentative date of March 30th for an Embassy appointment is still possible. We learned that those with a March 16th date (which means they will travel this weekend) only had this date confirmed for them in the last week of February. We also learned that our agency's Ethiopian representative hopes to receive more clarification from the Embassy this week.
Fourth, given the above, scheduling travel now is not out of the question as long as proper insurance coverage is in place.
It is a relief in many ways, but it comes with its own panic button. If all holds, we could be leaving the country in 18 days to meet our daughter. I'm thrilled by that, but also freaked out by all that has to happen between now and then--including the homecoming of my husband after his Iraq deployment.
March will definitely go 'out like a lion' for us, it seems.
I will update more frequently as information becomes available. Thanks for hanging in with us!
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