It took us awhile, but we have finally decided on an adoption agency. There are so many different agencies out there to choose from, but we have finally decided to go with an agency called "For This Child." From what we have seen thus far, this is an amazing agency. So, here we go! Let the games begin! Well, for those out there that are considering adoption, and for those that may be a little bored right now, here are the reasons that we arrived at our decision to use this agency.
Our first major introduction to the adoption world was at a free seminar provided by AmericaWorld Adoption Agency. This is a great agency, but does not deal with Guatemala. However, at this seminar we were introduced to another Christian agency that does deal with Guatemala. I will refrain from giving names at this point, but the agency represented at the seminar appeared to be a great agency. We have found nothing really wrong with this agency and was our first choice up until the past few weeks. There are other agencies that we considered that sounded pretty good as well, but well, just weren't for us.
So, here's the first condition of selecting our agency: they had to deal with Guatemala. The other agencies we looked at do deal with Guatemala, but FTC deals ONLY with Guatemala. The agency is a relatively new agency but has been working to bring children to the US from Guatemala for a long time. To make a long story short, this agency brings back as many children from Guatemala each year as the other agencies do from the four or five countries that they deal with combined. Secondly, they returned our calls. Each of our calls that have been placed to FTC have been returned in a very short time. This is especially important when dealing with international adoption because of the need for great communication in the process.
Thirdly, this is not classified as a "Christian" agency (as far as we can tell) but made it clear to us that they are involved in fight for fair and just practices in the adoption process. The agency is actively involved in changing laws that guide and govern unjust practices in the adoption process. This was very appealing to Holly and myself.
Fourth, we were told by a social worker that we should ask for references from the agency of people that had worked with them. We did ask for references, received a list of around 20 names, sent out requests to the people for further information, and then...WOW! Holly and I were not prepared for the responses that we received. We have still not received a single negative comment about the agency.
Fifth, the agency has never been turned down by the Guatemalan government. We were told by those that use this agency that the only part of the process, beside the waiting, that is extremely intense is the process of completing your documents for the Guatemalan government. It is tough enough to get things completely correct for the US government (all the I's dotted and T's crossed) much less have it approved after it has been translated into Spanish for the Guatemalan government. The rigorous attention to detail, we have been told, results not only in being accepted by the Guatemalan government, but also in a shortened time period waiting for the child. In other words, because the agency and the Guatemalan government are so used to each other, families working with FTC are bringing home children in 4-6 months, whereas the other agencies are bringing home children in 6-9 months.
Sixth and finally, many of the families that are working with FTC received their referrals (the statement saying who their child is) on the day or days after having their dossier (packet of papers for the Guatemalan government) approved. This means that parents are finding out who their children are when the child in only a couple of months, and in many cases weeks or days old. Here is where FTC is different and very appealing. At the point of referral, the child is "yours" while you wait for the final paperwork to go through. At this point, FTC allows the parents to go and foster their child in Antigua. This could be an amazing experience, not only to get to live in Antigua, Guatemala, but to be able to begin life with our daughter at an extremely early age. In the end what this means is that the other agencies are averaging bringing children back to the US who are 9-12 months old. FTC, in many cases allows children to come back to the US that are 4 months old. In two scenarios that were e-mailed to us through the referrals, the parents began the process of adoption in January, and had there children back in the US by the summer. I could graduate and have a child in the same month! WOOOOOHHOOOOO!
One final thought for all of those checking into adoption; ask how the child is cared for before and after the referral. Children will either be in an orphanage or in foster care. Many of the orphanages in Guatemala are very nice. However, in some cases, we are told that children in orphanages may have a little more of a problem attaching to the parents when first introduced to the family. This is not as much of a problem in Guatemala as it is in China and Russia where children are kept in massive orphanages with minimal adult interaction. However, it is something to think about. Also, ask about the child's situation after the referral. FTC, pays their own foster parents and gives them permission to make regular doctor visits if needed and even make unannounced visits to the foster home to check on the child, sending back photos to the parents of each visit. Most other agencies use foster parents that are appointed by the Guatemalan attorney. It is not uncommon to have children switch foster homes without notice given to the agency or adoptive parents. The best way to take care of the foster situation is of course, foster for yourself! Anyone interested in living in Antigua for awhile with us?
Well, I know that this is a long post, but we want to show the process that we went through for all of those that are attempting to go through with an adoption. Thanks for taking the time to read!
Shalom - Chris.
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