We've received several similar questions about our upcoming trip to Haiti, so I thought I would do a quick Q & A on here to try and clarify some of them. Feel free to leave a comment if I fail to address something important!
Why are you traveling to Haiti now?
We are traveling to Haiti to submit our I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative) personally to the US offices there and to meet our boys prior to the adoption finalization. The latter is important because we are seeking to adopt them under an IR-3 visa, which will grant them immediate United States citizenship when they step foot on US soil. In order to do so, we must prove that both parents personally met the children before their adoption was complete.
Will you be bringing the boys back with you? If not, when?
No, we will not be brining the boys back with us. Unfortunately, our adoption is still in the beginning stages of a minimum 10-month process. There are no guarantees on time frames when adopting from Haiti, but we hope and pray that our boys will come home soon after the new year.
How long will your trip be? Will your other children be traveling with you?
Since there is only one airline/flight once a week between Chile and Haiti, we will be in Haiti for one week. Our other children will not be traveling with us (tickets cost over $1000 per person!) Due to the flight schedule (leaving at 2:30 am on August 19 and arriving at 3:30 am on August 27) we will be separated from Eva, Isabel and Owen for nine nights. Please pray for us and them during this time apart!
What will you do in Haiti?
Besides submitting the paperwork mentioned above, we will mostly be spending one-on-one time getting to know our babies. We have reservations at a hotel/lodge and the boys will be in our care during the week we are in Haiti. This is our time to get to know one another and our chance to leave with them an impression of our faces and voices and most of all, our love for them. It will be very hard to say goodbye!
4 comments:
Wow! This is an amazing journey to follow! As you post your facts and emotions I'm in awe of all that I can already see the Lord has in store for your growing family. I will definitely pray for all members, both officially and not, to be blessed and safe during your trip to Haiti.
There are so many needy children out there that deserve to be in loving, Christian homes -- it makes me sad & angry at the same time that adoption has to be such a long, expensive process. My prayers are with you & so is my respect.
Oh Stephanie!!! (((((HUGS)))))))
What a journey for you and Pedro's heart!! Such an emotional thing to do and live through. I will say a special prayer for you each day of this journey Steph.
This is just a few weeks away now!!! Sure is coming up fast. I pray for a blessed time with your boys in Haiti, that paperwork is in order, and that your other kiddos do just fine while they wait for you to return!
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