ANDERSON, Ind. – An Anderson family was upset to learn they could not bring home their adopted son from Africa.
Rachael and Jon Oren said they were on a flight to pick up their adopted son from Ethiopia in April when the country’s prime minister suspended international adoptions.
The couple said the adoption for Genene had been in the works for the past two years. Rachael and Jon said they knew it was a “perfect match” from the beginning.
"You experience so many emotions in those few seconds of shock and then devastation, and then questions and confusion, just a whole lot of what do we do from here,” said Rachael.
Genene is the second Ethiopian child adopted by the Oren family. Mekonen, 8, was previously adopted and the couple also has three biological children.
“We just have a firm conviction that kids belong in families,” said Rachael. “There's great loss in adoption and our kids have experienced some very deep traumas that have brought them to a place of needing a mom and a dad.”
About 200 families across the country have experienced the challenges the Oren family faces. Sen. Todd Young and more than 100 other members of Congress have sent letters urging the Ethiopian prime minister to reconsider his decision.
Rachael and Jon said they’re hopeful they will have the opportunity to welcome Genene into the family soon.
