Why Uganda?

"We can make our plans, 

but the Lord determines our steps." 

Proverbs 16:9 NLT

We recently made the decision to pursue adoption from the country of Uganda. We have had nothing but positive responses from our friends and family about our decision, but many people have asked us, "Why Uganda?"

Well, in short, the answer is that sometimes God points in the right direction by closing doors along the way.

To be honest, when we first began the process of adoption, we did not have the slightest idea where God wanted us to adopt from, and we didn't feel a strong pull toward any country in particular. We believe that an orphan from one country needs a loving, Christian home just as much as an orphan from another, and we knew that we would love our child no matter what country God eventually called us to adopt from. We prayed and asked God to make it clear what agency He wanted us to work with and what country He wanted us to adopt from, and God in His faithfulness answered our prayers!

Our path to Uganda started by choosing our adoption agency, "Small World." We have several friends here in Korea who have adopted or are in the process of adoption, and they had nothing but good things to say about this agency. Small World has a separate program and program director dedicated to helping those living abroad who wish to adopt. Adopting while living abroad presents many unique challenges, and it was comforting to know that this agency has people on the ground in many different countries and staff who know the ins and outs of adopting while living in another country.

Agency chosen...prayer answered!

After choosing an agency, we reviewed the information about each country that Small World works with. We are not yet eligible to adopt from some of the countries because of our age and/or how long we have been married, so that narrowed our search right away.

More doors closed...more prayers answered!

Once we narrowed our research to the countries in which we are currently eligible to adopt and those to which we feel personally called, our decision was down to two, Lesotho and Uganda.

We researched each of the two programs, made pros and cons lists, prayed, prayed some more, talked with friends, prayed some more, and waited on God.

Although Small World's program in Lesotho is a wonderful program, we would have been looking at a possible wait of 2-3 years before our child came home, and because we decided (after MUCH prayer) to start our family through adoption, we did not feel that this was the best option for us.

Another closed door...another prayer answered!

And so, after MUCH prayer and consideration, we decided on the country of Uganda!!

Although Uganda is not a Hague Country and there are still some unknowns as far as time in country, number of trips, and the re-adoption process once we land stateside, we know that we serve a God who already has this figured out. We (namely me!) believe that God is calling us to trust Him, even though we do not have a ready-made, foolproof outline of what our adoption process will look like. God has already chosen the child that will join our family, and He is directing us to him or her (or them!) by closing doors and calling us have faith that He will work everything out in His timing.

"You can make many plans,

but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

~Laura~