Slow Boat To China

We have had many people ask why it's taking so long. There are many answers that combined make a good argument as to why. But truth be known, we don't know. The only ones who truly know are God and then those that make the decisions in China. I won't take up your time trying to give the many explanations that are out there. I will, however, show you some proof of how this slow down occurred. The following is taken from a report which shows how many visas are granted into the U.S. for adoptable children each year from October 1 through September 30 of each year. This is only the list of how many Chinese adoptions took place in USA.

State Department numbers:
1998 4,243 (per month, 354)
1999 4,108 (per month, 342)
2000 5,058 (per month, 422)
2001 4,705 (per month, 392)
2002 4,677 (per month, 389)
2003 6,857 (per month, 571)
2004 7,038 (per month, 587)
2005 7,903 (per month, 659)
2006 6,492 (per month, 541)
2007 5,453 (per month, 454)
2008 3,909 (per month, 326) or 3,254 (271 per month)

Yes, there was a little discrepancy this year, so I will take the higher number - it makes me feel better. We started in 2006, during which the back log had already begun. Our guess is that there were 20,000 - 30,000 applicants ahead of us in line at the beginning. Yes, there have been some that have pulled out. But still, you can imagine, if there isn't a major speed up it's going to be a while. Even so, I am thankful that I trust in a loving God who is in total control of this situation. I know He loves each and every one of these precious little ones who have been left alone. He will give us peace while we wait & He will give us the desires of our heart when it's just the right time. -Charity