Let's try this again.

Our lawyer did travel to Cap Haitien yesterday.  He was able to get another original death certificate.  In his words, he was "lucky to have same guy who wrote first one."   He submitted the request for signature confirmation this morning.  He wrote in the email that "he is trying to expedite the process in order to get to an end in this endless proceeding."  I believe he will be just as happy for this to end as we will be.  He must get another extract (with the correct signatures) and submit it along with the new death certificate to USCIS.  I am hoping that is done by next Friday, March 1.  Then praying and crossing our fingers (and hopping on one foot if that's what it takes) that we will get approval and a visa appointment in record time.  We are hanging in there and appreciate you hanging with us.  I will update as soon as I get new information.

The latest

So, we made it through Karnaval and were told that our lawyer was going to Archives on Thursday.  On Friday, we were asked by our agency to send an email requesting copies of the death certificate and extract from USCIS.  Our lawyer had misplaced his copy.  Grrr.  We had a copy of the death certificate at home and before leaving for the weekend sent it to the agency.  On Monday, we were asked to send another email to USCIS requesting the originals.  The story from our lawyer is that the extract he received had been expedited and was not done properly.  He now needed the originals to go back to the Archives to be done again.  Now, we are uncertain if this is all true or not; but at this point, not much we can do besides go forward.  I emailed the embassy and followed up the email with a call to request the death certificate yesterday.  I was able to talk with a USCIS representative that was a little impatient.  She told me in no uncertain terms that we would not be getting back the FRAUDULENT death certificate.  It was incredibly frustrating and discouraging.  However, here is the plan.  Our lawyer will travel to Cap Haitien tomorrow to obtain a new death certificate.  In order for him to get it, the same man must be in charge.  Once he gets the new death certificate, he will have it reArchived.  Then we will resubmit it as proof that his mother is indeed deceased. 

I hope this all works.  I am so ready to be done with lawyers, agencies, USCIS, and all the other nonsense.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Thank you!

Hope and Lots of Determination

We heard from our agency this afternoon.  If you will remember, I posted about how we needed an extract for Jimmy's Birthmother's death certificate; and that we got it in just two days.  Well, the agency rep was mistaken.  Our lawyer has not obtained the extract yet he was waiting to see if we needed it.  GRRRRR.  Unfortunately, we didn't know he was just waiting; or we would have told him to go ahead and request one from the courts. 
Anyway, back to the present.  Because it is Karnaval time, we will have to wait until Wednesday to talk to the lawyer.  It will probably be Thursday before anything gets done.  We have thirty days to give USCIS more information or they will proceed with the denial of our I600 application.  Our lawyer will request the judgement for the extract from the courts asap. 

We definitely feel the blow of this set back but we will trudge on.  I had someone tell me that God must have big plans for Jimmy in the US, because Satan is working very hard to keep him in Haiti.  That gives me great determination to fight harder and trust God more.  Thank you for your prayers today and in the days to come. 

DENIAL!

It looks like our journey through this adoption is taking a scenic route through a bad part of town and will not be ending anytime soon. I am numb right now. I had hoped we were at the end of all of this and now the finish line seems so far away. Please pray for us and that this mess will be worked out.

We received an email from USCIS today that our I600 has been denied.  They have deemed Jimmy's birthmother's death certificate to be fraudulent.  Therefore they will not be granting us a visa.  I have contacted our agency and am waiting to hear back.  I will update when I have new information.

Happy Waiting Anniversary

We announced our intentions to adopt Jimmy two years ago today.  Since then I have posted 99 times.  99 posts about waiting, documents, court dates, waiting, travel, celebration, waiting, passports, medical exams, waiting, interviews, disappointments, and WAITING.  As our journey nears its end, I am thankful for every joyful, heartbreaking, faith-building moment.  I have grown as a mother, a wife, and as God's child. I know God has been able to use us to help others grow as well.  Although I never fully understood what an undertaking it would be when we began, I am so grateful for the journey.  I also look forward to the adventure when Jimmy comes home.

Update:  Jimmy went for his medical exam on Wednesday.  There were some difficulties like forgetting the tb test results in Cap, C4C forgetting the passports, and missing the first appointment; but God worked it all out.  He and Rishard were able to fly to PaP with the CHCH nanny, Marjorie, and back all in the same day. 
               I spoke with USCIS yesterday. They said that our file is still in review and that because we had to get the death certificate extract it was taking longer to verify that.  The lady I spoke with asked me to call back next Friday and she hoped to have good news.  The offices will be closed Monday-Wednesday for Karnaval (Mardi Gras).  So we shall see.
                Jimmy is on a youth retreat this week.  Every year at Karnaval time, the area churches send their teenagers to a youth retreat so they will not be part of all the non-Christian activities going on.  I am thankful Jimmy has the opportunity to go and hope it is a distraction from his waiting. 

We want to extend our most heartfelt thanks to those who helped us financially this week.  We are still overwhelmed by the generosity of others.  We are able to pay for all the expenses and do not foresee the need for another fundraiser.  Hallelujah!!! 

I will end with a couple of pics of our boy and ask that you continue to pray for our family.

Jimmy, October 2010 when we first met him.

Jimmy, January 2013

Waiting For Your Approval

After looking at the blog, I realized I have not kept you very informed lately.  I will try to catch you up.  We obtained the abstract for Jimmy's birth mother's death certificate within two days, such a blessing.  All of our documents were then submitted to USCIS for our I-600 approval on Tuesday, January 15.  I called a couple of days ago and was told our file is in review.  So as usual we will wait.

Jimmy will need a medical exam to get his visa.  His was able to get his TB test done in Cap Haitien this week.  He tested negative, thankfully.  He will now travel to Port au Prince on Monday to see the Embassy approved doctor to have the rest of his exam and tests.  He will also receive all his vaccinations.  This is all required for US entry.  Please say a prayer for him.  It will be a long day, and he will be exhausted physically and mentally.  I hate not being there with him.  I know he is 15 but his mom would like to hold his hand and comfort him a little. 

Once we receive word that we have I-600 approval there are two more steps.  We will be given a visa appointment date.  Chances for Children will represent us at the appointment.  He will receive his visa then but we must obtain an exit letter from IBESR (Haitian adoption dept.).  The letter is required to leave the country.  It will take up to five days after the visa appointment to get the letter.  Once we have the letter, Jimmy can come home.

One last thing, we I hate talking about but I guess it is part of it.  Several people have also asked so I will inform you of where we stand on funds.  We thought we had everything covered and would not need any more.  However, the cost of his medical exam and the cost of travel has put us in need of more money.  We are praying for God's guidance and provision in this area.

Prayer Requests: 
~Patience 
~Jimmy's medical exam
~Funding

Again, we appreciate your support and prayers.  We can't wait for Jimmy to meet all of you who have prayed for him over the past two years.