Our agency has switched our region to the Novosibirsk region. A bit further out, not a problem. When we asked about Dr's in that region that we can bring in to assess our referral when we travel, our case manager emailed the facilitator in that region, who replied that he knew of a Dr that Canadian families have used. Wonderful, except that our new case manager (our old one just left the agency this past week) doesn't have a name and doesn't think she can get one. Yet we're expected to just go with it and assume there'll be one that we can use when we travel. ??? There was such a sense of relief when we had our previous Dr in Moscow come to both orphanages and assess our referrals. It was a luxury that, frankly, we're requiringagain (at least at this point). The 2 regions that they were going to place us in (first to open up), Tula or Tver, apparently are not offering decent referrals and they're not placing anyone there at the moment. And then there's St Pete, which has a lengthy wait for little girls, more than likely over a year. So, we wait to find out if this case manager can get a Dr's name out of the facilitator and make a decision for our journey if a name can not be produced. With as crazy as our 2 referrals medicals were in Moscow (one child was much healthier than the medical told us and the other was much worse than the medical said), we are not comfortable with just relying on a referral's current medical and what the orphanage may say about her.
On the brighter side, it definitely gives us something a bit more specific to pray about- but then again, perhaps it opens up our prayer to now encompass quite a bit more. Please join us if you pray. I rest easily knowing if there is a child out there for us, my Heavenly Father WILL lead us to her (or him- can't put God in a box, right).
**edited to add: Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted last. Woops. Summer has taken hold of our schedule, for sure.
I am amazed by your strength at the obstacles placed in your way. Prayers coming your way!
Posted by: Ally | July 23, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Praying for peace about all of this. May this little one be so obviously healthy that there are absolutely no concerns.
I was wondering where you went...glad you are back!
Posted by: Kristine | July 26, 2009 at 08:02 PM
I know what you mean, we are so nervous about all of it too....esp. the health/medicals. We are going to Moscow City region and at this point I think we were only planning to use an IA dr. back here in the states to assess our blind referral via photos/video and medical history info. Maybe I'll contact you regarding a Dr. in country......you've got me thinking.
I will pray for you to have peace with your region and decisions about where to register. God Bless!
Posted by: Angie | August 01, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Just read this and said a prayer for your family. I don't blame you one bit for requiring a doctor. We plan to do the same. If you get a chance, can you shoot me a quick email. I'd like to hear more about how you found the first one, what they charge (if you don't mind sharing).
Posted by: christen | August 01, 2009 at 04:28 PM
We'll be praying. I would think they would be able to locate a Dr. I hope though that you get a very healthy referral and that the new region works for you.
Posted by: Rachel, Troy and Daniel | August 05, 2009 at 04:10 PM
I hope that things move quickly for you in Novo and that you find your daughter there soon!
Posted by: Clarese | August 07, 2009 at 05:39 PM