EDMONTON – After three years of waiting and copious amounts of red tape, a family from Spruce Grove has been united under one roof.
Mark and Faith Siebert adopted two siblings from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013.
But in September of that year, when the Sieberts were already well into the process, the Congolese government shut down the border for international adoptions.
They put a moratorium on issuing exit letters, meaning the Sieberts were stuck in limbo.
That all ended a few days ago, when the family got the news they’d been waiting for.
“We, on Thursday, received a panicked phone call at 6:30 in the morning saying, ‘you’re on the list!’ and I’m like… what do you mean we’re on the list?” said Mark. “It was shock. Sheer and utter shock.”
In less than 24 hours, Faith was hopping on a plane to go and pick up their children.
READ MORE: Local families struggle to bring adopted children to Canada
Nine-year-old Ruth and five-year-old Jonathan are two of 11 children Faith and other volunteers brought to their new families in Canada.
“The moment that the flight lifted off and we were actually out of the country, there was a huge weight that lifted off us. They can’t stop us anymore, we are gone,” Faith recalled.
For Mark, the moment was surreal after all the hurdles to get to this point.
“You’re so tired of the heartbreak. You shut down emotionally and try to temper all of those emotions with logic. And at this point I’m like… I can actually feel.”
Since getting home, the Siebert house has been bursting with energy as Ruth and Jonathan interact with their new brothers and sister.
“It’s good to see them all together,” said Faith. “They’re getting along well and they’re playing together really good.”
“It’s fun because now I actually have a little brother that actually plays with me,” explained nine-year-old Judah.
He’s been communicating with his new siblings using basic sign language, as they haven’t yet learned English.
“We get to learn their language and they get to learn ours,” Judah said. “Jonathan repeats after we say something.”
Faith explained the two siblings have strikingly different personalities.
“Ruth is a bit more quiet and introverted. She’s had to be the caretaker for so many years. She’s a bit more cautious in how she approaches people. Jonathan is outgoing and rambunctious and energetic and loud.”
While Ruth and Jonathan are finally home, others, including Jolie Mail, whose parents live in Northern Alberta, are still being held in the Congo.
“We fought for this for so long together and just to see those last five children, still stuck there, and to not be able to do anything about it, you feel helpless. Its heart wrenching,” said Mark.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released this statement regarding those children.
“We understand the frustrations of adoptive families in Canada who are impacted by the current state of affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Government of Canada is working hard to try to resolve the remaining adoption cases.”
The Sieberts will continue to advocate for their friends, but they’re grateful they’re able to move forward knowing all of their children are safe.
“Ok, life happens now. It feels like we’ve been putting our life on hold for so long.”
The family plans on spending their first full week together setting up basic things, like doctor’s appointments and registering for school.