Encouraging ET News Plus...Give Away And Online Auction

There is some encouraging news coming out regarding ET adoptions...The Joint Council posted...

Since announcement, the Department of State has heard many rumors, but none have been substantiated.  The U.S. Embassy can confirm that the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs has shuffled the portfolios of key adoption personnel.  The Embassy has not been able to confirm how this reorganization may affect the processing of cases through the ministry.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is discussing the possibility of developing a consolidated assistance proposal to MOWCYA to find out what the resource needs are and find what assistance can be given to allow MOWCYA to accomplish their goals.

An adoption agency posted today......

Today we want to update you on the feedback we received yesterday from our foreign staff in Ethiopia, which was confirmed in a discussion with our adoption colleagues in a Joint Council caucus call later in the day.

At this time, all Foreign Staff on the ground in Ethiopia are reporting that MOWA has completed their staffing changes and are now currently working at full capacity to complete those adoption cases currently re-scheduled or assigned a court appointment through the courts of Addis Ababa. Our staff believe this to be around 800 cases they are working at full force to complete with no restrictions on the number of cases processed each day. This is great news! We are thrilled to hear these drastic changes do not seem to be going into full effect.

We are also pleased to report that for new cases moving forward; it appears the original changes proposed by MOWA will not be implemented to the degree of 5 cases a day. At this time it is unknown whether or not MOWA will issue a formal statement regarding how they will process cases in the future, but from all discussions it will not be a drastic decrease from before. Through the continued work, meetings, and advocacy of many Foreign Staff members in Ethiopia, it appears any future changes within the case processing for MOWA will avoid sweeping and disproportionate alterations to the number of cases processed each day. 

You can also read what  the US Dept of State issued HERE. 

SO EITHER WAY IT IS GREAT NEWS FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING!

IN OTHER NEWS.....

We have two online auctions/give aways going on. First I want to make you aware of Kim's Blog. She has an AWESOME give away going on with some great stuff! She is traveling with us on our OH team mission trip in July to Ethiopia and wanted to do something significant to help the children that we will be meeting. She has chosen the El Olam orphanage to fundraise for. The money she receives from her Give Away Entries will be donated to El Olam orphanage for much needed care for the children and repairs. You will see us in action at this orphanage in July so hop over to Kim's blog and enter one of her giveaways. It is for a great cause!

Second,
I am having an all day online auction starting tomorrow. All the money raised will go toward a matching grant for one of our fundraising families. So you will get 2 fabulous, authentic items and you will also be helping a fundraising family move one step closer to bringing home their baby. It is an awesome cause.

So what am I auctioning? Glad you asked :)

As you may remember, if you follow my blog, I traveled to Ethiopia in December. While I was there I purchased a few authentic, hand made items from the market. So, our first online auction, I offer you this beautiful handmade Ethiopian Princess dress ALONG WITH a beautiful handmade Ethiopian doll. I had my beautiful Ethiopian niece, Lucy Lane, model them for you. She wears a size 3t, so I would say this dress would fit anywhere from a 2t to a small 4t.

Here is where I found these dresses and dolls in Ethiopia in the market.

 Now here they are in America.....
The doll's dress is made from the same authentic material as the girl's dress.

 I just LOVE this dress. It is soooo beautiful! Lucy looks beautiful in it as well, I must say :) I mean, she is my niece and all :)

 You can take comfort in knowing that this doll already has made a new friend :)

 Again, everything is hand sewn and detailed beautifully..... and is here all the way from Ethiopia.

So bidding will start tomorrow, Friday, March 18th, at 7am Central time and run until 12 midnight Central time. The starting bid price is $40. You may bid in increments of $5 by leaving a comment on the post tomorrow. As it approaches midnight I would ask that you contact me at Kelly@ordinaryhero.org and let me know your contact info in case you win and I need to contact you.

Again, this auction is for the dress and the doll TOGETHER. The starting bid is $40. Whoever wins will get both the dress and the doll.

Let's really step up and help these fundraising families with their adoptions and missions by bidding on this awesome package gift.