One month ago today!

One month ago today, we sat in front of Vietnamese officials and promised to love "this child" the way we love our biological children. What a month it has been. We cannot imagine life without this little girl. We are so in love with her. We think back to where we were a month ago and it is hard to believe that we even have the same child. Baths are no longer traumatic, diaper changes are uneventful, and the car seat is just another place to sit. Claire has brought us so much joy in one month, what will the rest of our lives with her bring?
However, on this day I also think about the children that were left behind that day as we walked down the dirt path away from that orphanage. Since we left, 2 have been united with their forever families, but what about all the others? The one thing that made it easier to leave that orphanage is to know that many of these babies would soon have a "home", someone to kiss them goodnight, or read to them. Yet this week all that seems to have changed. As of July 1st (some reports saying Sept. 1), adoptions between US and Vietnam will be shut down. There is a justified reason on some level and I will get to that in the next day or two, but what is going to happen to all those kids? Most agencies will pull out their financial support to many already over crowded, under funded orphanages. The babies/children who already live on the minimum (although well loved and interacted with), will now be fed or clothed with what financial support? I am not down playing the reports of stolen babies, purchased babies, or mothers forced to give up their babies in payment for their hospital stay, but there must be a better way to investigate all that is going on. As their are some corrupt adoptions (as well as corrupt adoption agencies) taking place, there are also many birth parents who simply cannot take care of their child, and long for them to have a better life. What about those parents who willingly sign their rights over? Do those babies fall through the cracks? I am truly saddened but what is taking place in Vietnam, and for the children. I read stories like this and selfishly thank God that we were able to get Claire. Please pray for the children of Vietnam, even if things are straightened out in the next few years, many of the babies we spent several days with will not be of "desired" age to adopt.