I'm not sure how many of you we told about this but wanted to make sure I got an update out to everyone. It looks like we'll be in Cebu at least through the end of 2010! Yay! This is great news.
For the past several months we weren't sure how long we'd get to stay in Cebu because of the end of the grant funding for the office here. Andrey traveled to Seattle in July to see about getting a renewal in the grant but no go. Since then our near distant future has been a little uncertain meaning we couldn't guarantee that we'd be here past the end of this year (with the current job at least.)
We prayed and prayed as we both do not feel ready or that it's the right time to leave Cebu. There is much work to be done here, we love and appreciate life here, and we really really really want the opportunity to receive and live with our adopted Filipino child(ren) here.
Two weeks ago we got final word that headquarters was able to find enough room in the budget (assuming fundraising goes as planned) to keep things going without having to cut any major programs in Cebu through 2010.
Andrey and the office will work all year at getting a bigger grant for 2011 and beyond. The thought of being here for several more years is a happy one. I just can not give up on the fact that I believe in my gut that receiving and living here with our Filipino kid(s) during the initial adjustment will be the absolute best thing for them. What a blessing for them to not have to adjust to a new country on top of adjusting to a new family, language & culture while they navigate the other common adoption-related challenges like grief, attachment & development issues, etc... While here in Cebu, they won't have to give up their language so quickly or the food they like and I figure there must be something comforting in having some of the same or similar sights/smells/sounds of their home country.
So that's our good news. We are so incredibly blessed and thankful for each day here. Life is good. Come and visit us!!!
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