In a different thread, Christina mentioned the possibility of adopting a child from Guatemala, which reminded me of the wonderful adoption story of friends of ours. This took place over 25 years ago, and isn't meant to imply anything about present adoption practices.
Our friends desperately wanted to adopt a baby girl. They are a very strong Christian couple, and it was their strong personal belief that they could not pay any bribes. Under those circumstances, people in the know told them their chances of getting approval for their adoption were not good. They were so concerned that the husband went alone, as she couldn't bear to get close and fail.
Tom got into the country (I believe it was Guatemala), and to his surprise they basically handed over a little girl. It was explained as a chance to "get to know her" before the formal procedures were formalized. In reality, Tom came to believe that these particular corrupt officials were counting on him becoming attached, which he did. It then became apparent that nothing would be approved without money under the table. The officials were in no hurry to get the child back. But no papers were going to be signed until cash was paid. Tom couldn't bear the thought of leaving without the girl. He felt overwhelmed. Tom was heartsick, and called Diane, no longer able to handle this by himself.
Diane flew down, and immediately was also smitten by the girl. They had a strong sense they shouldn't pay the bribes. But they knew they could never leave this girl in Guatemala. They were driving, talking, praying and crying. Tom had driven to the government building where the bribe would be extracted and the papers signed. But they couldn't bring themselves to go in and pay the bribe.
They were sitting in the car when a woman left the ministry building and approached their car. She wondered why they were in the parking lot, since the building was closed for a holiday. In the best Spanish he could muster, Tom explained their plight.
What followed has put a catch in Tom’s throat for the last 15 years. The woman thought for a moment, made a silent decision and said, “follow me”. Inside the building she basically said these guys never did anything but drink coffee, smoke cigars and order the women to do their work. She said they had her prepare all the papers, then sign their names where appropriate. She went to work, and they had all the papers, prepared and signed. Her only request was that they leave the country as soon as possible. They blessed her through their tears, and took the first flight home. And that’s how Nadia came to America, 25 years ago.
Our friends desperately wanted to adopt a baby girl. They are a very strong Christian couple, and it was their strong personal belief that they could not pay any bribes. Under those circumstances, people in the know told them their chances of getting approval for their adoption were not good. They were so concerned that the husband went alone, as she couldn't bear to get close and fail.
Tom got into the country (I believe it was Guatemala), and to his surprise they basically handed over a little girl. It was explained as a chance to "get to know her" before the formal procedures were formalized. In reality, Tom came to believe that these particular corrupt officials were counting on him becoming attached, which he did. It then became apparent that nothing would be approved without money under the table. The officials were in no hurry to get the child back. But no papers were going to be signed until cash was paid. Tom couldn't bear the thought of leaving without the girl. He felt overwhelmed. Tom was heartsick, and called Diane, no longer able to handle this by himself.
Diane flew down, and immediately was also smitten by the girl. They had a strong sense they shouldn't pay the bribes. But they knew they could never leave this girl in Guatemala. They were driving, talking, praying and crying. Tom had driven to the government building where the bribe would be extracted and the papers signed. But they couldn't bring themselves to go in and pay the bribe.
They were sitting in the car when a woman left the ministry building and approached their car. She wondered why they were in the parking lot, since the building was closed for a holiday. In the best Spanish he could muster, Tom explained their plight.
What followed has put a catch in Tom’s throat for the last 15 years. The woman thought for a moment, made a silent decision and said, “follow me”. Inside the building she basically said these guys never did anything but drink coffee, smoke cigars and order the women to do their work. She said they had her prepare all the papers, then sign their names where appropriate. She went to work, and they had all the papers, prepared and signed. Her only request was that they leave the country as soon as possible. They blessed her through their tears, and took the first flight home. And that’s how Nadia came to America, 25 years ago.
