News from Haiti

We have heard from our agent in Haiti. She has instructed us to file the required paperwork with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form is titled "Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition". This form will give Bob and I approval from the U.S. government to adopt a child from another country. We were told not to file this form until all the paperwork in Haiti had been submitted to different agencies and had reached the official government office. It is my understanding that all forms had to go through several offices before reaching the government office that makes the final determination. I have not been told that it is in this office. However, I was told to file the Orphan Petition. To Bob and I this a positive step. We also have been instructed to file the required form with the Haitian Immigration Services when we are in Haiti in December.

God is in control. His timing is perfect.

Haiti in December

Bob and I have been praying and seeking God's will as to when we should return to Haiti. There is a very good chance that we will be going in December with a mission group. An opportunity has come our way and we feel this is what the Lord wants us to do.

I have contacted our adoption agent who lives in Port-au-Prince to see if there is anything that we could do while there to help with this process. We are waiting for her response.

When I do get discouraged, I go to Tara and Troy Livesays blog which gives a long list of bloggers who have adopted Haitian children and start reading their updates. There have been many successful stories with some taking as long as three years to finalize the adoption.

It really breaks my heart to know there are so many needy children in Haiti and it hard to understand why it takes so long. Yes, I know there are needy children in the U.S. and all over the world. However, God has called us to adopt this little 11 year old girl from Haiti.

Please continue to pray for Jenifer and the other children in Haiti.