" . . . AND we're back to TWO TRIPS!"
Dear James & Kelly,

We want to inform you that the change in the court policies recently put on hold will be re-instated beginning May 9th, 2010 by the Ethiopian Federal Court. This change requires both prospective adoptive parents, who submit paperwork to court for an official court date after May 9th, to appear at court in person to testify to their desire and commitment to adopt their referred child(ren).

Families affected by this change will need to be prepared to travel to Ethiopia approximately 4 - 8 weeks after receiving a referral in order to be present in Ethiopia for their appointed court date. Families will remain in Ethiopia for roughly 4 -7 days and will then return to the US. After officially passing court, families will then travel back to Ethiopia approximately 6 -12 weeks later to pick up their adopted child(ren).

A meeting was held yesterday by Ethiopian Federal Court to address this change. As the court is currently working on the details and logistics of this change we ask that you hold specific questions at this time. Please feel free to reference the conference from March 11th that referenced these initial changes. America World will continue to keep you updated as information is shared and decisions are made both in Ethiopia and as an agency.

Although we do fully support the Ethiopian Federal Court’s decision, we know that this change, and the back and forth about the change, can be challenging for families. We will continue to pray for your family as you move forward in your adoption process.


The good news is, the adoption tax credit was renewed and increased!!! That will be a big help. We are continuing to sell coffee through our Just Love Coffee Store (http://www.justlovecoffee.com/BringPhinHome) and we have a tshirt in the works.

Also- we are in the middle of trying to sell our house. The inspections are today and we would appreciate your prayers. What a blessing it would be to be able to bring Phin home to an actual ROOM with his own BED! Pray pray pray!! Love to you all. ;)