In just about 2 and a half months, I have actually gotten quite a bit done. I began emailing with different organizations/agencies and soon found out that single male adoption is not an easy task. There are many, and I mean many countries that are not open to this at all. I also found out that there are many adoption agencies that do not accept single male applicants. I totally understand some of their concerns and respect the path they choose to take. I was just disappointed when a "Christian" organization informed me that they "only deal with married couples because they are a Christian organization". Does that mean they think that single men can't be Christians? Oh well, no need to waste too much energy on that subject.
I finally got in contact with a single woman in Pennsylvania that had an adoption agency. She had adopted 2 children from Guatemala and had much success with single males adopting from there as well. She was very helpful and the information she gave me got me started. Long story short, the adoption process in Guatemala has fallen apart at this time due to changes in that country's policies. Guatemala was attractive to me for many reasons. I have friends that are latin and I am somewhat familiar with the culture. The Catholic religion that is practiced there, among most people, is not that far off from Methodist, which is what I am. Being self employed, the fact that when traveling to bring the child home, I would only be gone about 4 days. I would have been able to have gotten home with him and taken some time off of work as well for both of us to get to know each other.
But, being the positive and persistent person I am I looked into what other choices I had. There was always domestic adoption. As I have explained to many people, there are numerous reasons I would rather not do this. I won't focus on that, but instead, explain why I am attracted to international adoption.
I have never done anything traditionally or the way other people have done things. As hard as it can be at times, I like to be different. I enjoy doing things that other people think are risky or out of their realm. I think that because the child will be from another country will give not only him, but our whole family a lifetime of learning about new things that come from his country. Alot of people where I live here in Albany, Georgia, never step out of their comfort zone. They do not travel to new places, are afraid of new things and people, and little do they know they are missing out. But we are all free to make choices on how we want to live our lives (thank you God!!!)
I am on track to adopt from Vietnam at this time. I must be honest. At first I was a bit intimidated by Vietnam for many reasons. Mainly because it is so far away. The trip alone will be long. When going to bring the child home, Vietnam requires a minimum 2 weeks stay and could possibly be longer, more like 3 weeks. But, I am up for whatever needs to be done. For those that do not know, I am a hairstylist and salon owner. I know that most of my clients will patiently wait my return. After all, a little long hair and grown out roots has never killed anyone that I know of...lol.
I had my first meeting with my home study case worker on the 12th of December. I was a little nervous about getting someone who I thought might try to interrogate me. No one likes to feel like that. Her name was Mary Ann and she was great. I was very comfortable with her. She was very helpful. She did not give me a hard time at all, but did her job to make sure I was "fit" to be a father also. Mary Ann was great about getting all my meetings done quickly and even wanted to meet my Grandmother. At our final meeting, she said as far as she was concerned, she thought I would make a great Dad. Man, was I relieved. As of today, she is still putting it all together, but it should be in Atlanta at the main office by next week I hope.
I felt that I need to chose a different agency than the one I was going to deal with when thinking of adopting from Guatemala. For several reasons, but mainly because I wanted an agency with alot of experience there. I had searched the internet over, emailed numerous agencies that I felt like would accept a single male, and have decided on VORF, Vietnamese Orphans Relief Fund. I got some references from them that helped solidify my decision to use them as my agency (if they accept me).
I sent off my application to them today as well as my I600A form to USCIS. I have decided that paying a little extra to overnight things is worth the peace of mind that maybe I am hurrying things along a bit.
It is pretty late now and have to be up early. As I write in this blog, I am sure that I will jump around alot on times, dates and topics, but for anyone who knows me, they understand this. I am doing this so that when God willing, I bring home that little boy, that one day he can read this and understand the love, time, energy and of course patience that goes into adopting a child. If another person looking to adopt runs across this and it helps or gives insight as others have done for me, I feel like maybe I am giving a little back. John
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