2. A friend who sent their first papers over to EE just after us told me they got a submission date for their dossier (April 19). While I'm _thrilled_ for them, it does make me a little nervous that we haven't heard anything yet. Please, if you're so inclined, say a prayer or send some happy thoughts that there's no problems with our paperwork and that we'll hear back soon.
3. Yesterday another friend posted about a boy who desperately needs a family. He turns 16 in less than 3 months, when he'll become unadoptable. At that point he'll either be sent to a mental institution or be put out on the street. All because he's missing some fingers. As I read his description it reminded me so much of my younger brother, and my heart has been breaking for the last day at the thought of this boy not ever having a family. Please, please, pray for him and share his story. Maybe someone you know needs him in their life. You can learn more about him here.
Remember, no news is good news. If you sent it in and haven't heard anything don't worry, you'll hear soon enough.
ReplyDeleteHow heartbreaking about the waiting child. I'll be praying for him!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tiffany -- I think you're probably right, that no news is good news, but sometimes it's hard to not be paranoid!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for praying for Sam, Heather! I'll post an update when he has a committed family!
When in May is his birthday? How long does it take to get to the point where they would put a "hold" on him and keep him there past his 16th birthday? Would it be too late for a family just starting the process? He and all the waiting kids, especially the older ones, are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know for sure when in May his birthday is. If you contact the family who visited his orphanage, they might be able to tell you, but I don't know. Their e-mail is headedto19@gmail.com . From all I've heard about his orphanage I don't think the director will kick him out when he turns 16. I don't know exactly when the government will make her do it, but I know she'll try to do all she can for him. If she knows a family is coming, I'm certain she'll find a way to keep him there until they can get there.
ReplyDeleteAs far as if a family just starting out could get him in time, I don't know. The thing that really has to happen before is 16th birthday is to get i600a approval from the US government, so they'll be willing to issue him a visa after the rest of the process is done. That approval must be dated before his 16th birthday, and he must be apply for his visa (at the end of the adoption process) less than 180 days after the approval is granted. The biggest concern with someone just starting the process is that usually when you apply for i600a approval you submit a completed home study with the application. A home study often takes 2 months to complete. But you might be able to get it done faster, and you might be able to get the USCIS approval process expedited, and you might be able to start it without the completed home study. If you're serious about it, I would suggest contacting USCIS and asking about the specific situation and what you could do. And if you have more questions, please feel free to ask! I'd be happy to talk by e-mail as well, at evansadoption@gmail.com
And as one last side note, if you're interested in an older child but don't think you could make it by May, there's another young man in the same orphanage turning 16 this summer who also desperately needs a family. Check him out here: http://reecesrainbow.org/33492/duncan