The Most Popular Question
We didn’t begin by saying, “We should adopt from Hungary.” I couldn’t tell you much about the country before we started this process, outside of it being the punchline for bad jokes about being hungry (please… don’t). We just began by saying, “We should adopt” and decided to let the Lord lead the process through whatever encounters He would bring our way.
Nor did we begin by pursuing international adoption. If “Why Hungary?” is the most popular question we get, the second would be “Why not adopt domestically?” We thought we would be, honestly. Long story short: In sharing our desires with our adoption agency, they recommended international adoption as a better fit for our family. We actually began in Bulgaria, and switched to Hungary based on further recommendations from our case worker. It helps that we’ll be working with one of the premier adoption facilitators in Hungary who has been facilitating Hungarian adoptions for over a decade, and is known in the U.S. Embassy on first-name basis.
Hungary Facts
Hungary is situated in the middle of Europe, bordered by (at west, moving clockwise) Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. It’s in the Central European Time Zone (6 hours ahead of us). Its capital is Budapest, which is bisected by the Danube River. The cover photo for this post shows the Neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building, situated on the Danube in Budapest. You can probably read Wikipedia on your own, so here’s more pertinent info for adoption purposes:
Hungary has a relatively strong social welfare system, providing for basic needs through well maintained and staffed orphanages; its foster care program is growing. The Hungarian government is also making strides in domestic adoption, understanding that children need more than basic needs and a good education, i.e., they need a mom and dad. Because of Hungary’s commitment to ensure that their children are matched into great homes they are very strict about a number of specific processes, including the family and agency’s commitment to post-adoption oversight and reports. Our agency has committed to the central adoption processing authority, the Ministry of Human Capacities Department of Child Protection and Guardianship Affairs, that it will assist all of our families in complying with the rigorous standards they have established to benefit and protect their children.
The Hungarian flag consists of red, white, and green, standing for strength, fidelity, and hope. Not bad virtues to keep in mind for our adoption.
Our Time in Country
Given Hungary’s strict protection of its children (this is a good thing!), we have to be careful about information we share. It’s why we haven’t said much publicly other than we’re adopting twins. After the adoption is finalized, we can reveal names, age, sex, photos, etc. For those who were wanting to help buy clothes or toys—we’ll learn their sizes and abilities when we get there! To tell you the truth, we only know so much ourselves. I’m not even sure if they’re potty-trained… which will make for a fun plane ride home.
But here’s a general rundown of our trip:
- January 12: arrive in Budapest and travel to the western side of the country
- January 14: Meet the twins for the first time
- January 14–21: supervised visitations with twins
- January 21–February 21: granted temporary guardianship and twins will come into our care full time
- local court appointment for conditional release of twins
- 30-day period to focus on bonding (we’ll be visited during this time by social workers)
- short trip to visit the embassy in Budapest for paperwork
- adoption finalized in local Hungarian court
- February 21–?: in Budapest for medical visits, passports, finalization of immigration paperwork
- Late February/early March: arrival back in the United States with 2 new Stewarts
Year-End Donations
We’re still seeking to meet our increased financial goal for adoption. We passed our initial $50,000 goal (unbelievable!). We increased that goal to $65,000 after learning of the additional costs for twins and some of their anticipated therapy needs. If you’re looking for a tax-deductible donation to end of the year, your donation is fully tax deductible, and 95% of every donation goes straight to our adoption costs. You can use the button here
The generosity we’ve received since creating this blog a little over a year ago has been life-changing for our existing and future family. I believe you’ve entered in to the work of eternity, and that our gratitude will be eternal.
Eternal gifts are what matters; it’s why we began this process.
Thank you. Happy New Year.