Pray of the Ethiopia program

So, we heard from Bethany Christian Services that there are some worries about the program. I guess a lot of the American families are taking their new Ethiopian babies/kids out shopping and staying in hotels while in Ethiopia and Ethiopian citizens aren't happy.

Given that the vast majority of American and European families adopting from Ethiopia are Caucasian or other non-black, the adoptive families and their Ethiopian child are easily distinguished and are often a point of curiosity among Ethiopian citizens. Understandably, due to misconceptions about adoption some Ethiopian citizens even look upon American and European adoptive families with suspicion. Cultural differences in parenting and child behavior are contributing to this suspicion.

It's a cultural thing so I don't totally understand it. The locals are complaining to the government. So, Agencies are asking that adoptive parents stay in guess houses and not take their babies/kids out in the local shopping centers. Some families are not following these recommendations and are jeopardizing the program.

Please pray that this will get worked out, that families will be sensitive to the culture and that the program will continue to thrive. They are expecting over 3000 adoptions out of Ethiopia this year. That would be amazing for these kids who need forever families.