[CarmJoeMom]

My husband and I are just about ready to jump in, but he keeps repeating the same thing.....these programs change SO fast and in 3 years wait for a referral, he's petrified that something will change and we'll be out some money and more importantly time. Is there anything other than faith that will make sure a child comes home to us eventually????

Thanks

[DrLaura]

I think there are 2 answers.

1) You have to trust and have faith that it will happen. And get a reputable agency.

2) Colombia (ICBF especially) is a very stable and long standing program. It is run by the government which is also stable.

International adoption has its challenges and the main one is that things can change. It is not for the feint of heart. But it has wonderful rewards.

[2xaround]

Jackie,

Things can change quickly in IA, but if everyone just sat back in fear of a possible change, then none of the children waiting for a family would ever get one.

Guatemala is probably a good example of this. My husband and I began the process of our Guat adoption in December, 2006. By January, 2007 we started to get a real feel of just how risky the program was and how much riskier it would probably get. We actually considered backing out, not from fear of losing time and/or money, but fear of getting a referral and then losing that referral if the program shut down. However, we couldn't quit. Even though we didn't have our referral at that time, our hearts were invested and that was worth more than time or money. We had a vision of our little girl and we couldn't let that go without a fight.

Today, we are just a few short weeks from traveling to Guatemala to pick up our precious baby girl. Had we given up, Liliana wouldn't be in our lives today and neither of us can imagine that at all.

While i know this is a long way of answering your question I wanted to share that story with you. I think it takes faith, courage, and determination to travel down the road of adoption. For those of us who stay the course, we are rewarded in the end with beautiful children and although the road may be bumpy (some bumpier than others), it's so worth it in the end.

[sak9645]

Be sure to work with an agency that has programs in several countries that may be of interest to you, if Colombia should close or change its rules so you no longer qualify.

And before signing with an agency, make sure you understand exactly what it will and will not do for you, if Colombia closes or changes its rules so you no longer qualify -- for example:

1. If you choose to go with another program that the agency has, will you have to pay a completely new set of fees? Or will the agency apply some of the money you already paid to the new program costs? If so, how will it calculate the amount to be applied?

2. If you choose not to adopt at all, to adopt domestically, or to adopt from a country not served by your agency, will it refund any fees? If so, how will it calculate the amount to be refunded?

3. If you choose to go with another program that the agency has, and the program has a waiting list for children of the age and gender that you want, will you be placed at the bottom of the list, or will you be allowed to go to the head of the list, in recognition of the time you have already spent waiting?

4. If Colombia closes or changes its rules, how strongly will your agency advocate with the Colombian government for you to be "grandfathered in" and not subject to the new policies?

Sharon

[Sumerce]

Just want to back up what Laura said. ICBF is VERY STABLE. They are a Hague signatory country and are thought of as a model for International adoption. You always read on their website about visitors from other countries (with in the last 6 months their adoption program has been visited by Family Welfare Officials from Peru, Ecuador and China) who are coming to see how Colombia makes it work. The only thing unstable -- and even that is very stable are the casas privadas-- as ICBF tries to make them become more Hague Compliant.

Colombia has had an ongoing adoption program since the 1970's -- with Slow downs -- but No shut downs.

[GuatMommy2Be]

At a time in Guatemalan adoptions children were coming home between 4-6 months, Madeline didn't come home until she was 16 months old. Our entire process from start to finish was 21 months. She is the absolute LOVE of our lives and can not imagine a day without her sweet smile, contagious giggle, and loving personality. I think the important thing to remember is that the referral could take *up to 3 years. As I have seen on the timelines here, no one has waited 3 years. Yes it will be rough to do the waiting for a referral, but as someone who has had to physically leave her child behind twice AND almost lose her, I think it will be easier in the long run to do the long wait for referral and pick up a month or two later. If you don't jump in now, will you regret it?

[CarmJoeMom]

Yes, I will regret it if I don't do it. I KNOW that. Adoption has been in my heart since I was in middle school!!!! I always said I would adopt one day, and honestly I don't want a huge gap between my #2 (he'll be 2 in May) and my #3 so I know now is the time (the gap will already be bigger than I want).....

I am still trying to figure out the agency situation so if anyone else has one their happy wtih, please please tell me

[mildredjohn]

Besides a GREAT AGENCY! faith and hope are the most important factors to go through an International Adoption process. It is such a rollercoaster that without that you could turn nuts during it!

So, look for a GREAT AGENCY and put in your jar tons of faith and hope to survive it!