Our week in Haiti!!!

We just returned from a very busy week visiting Isaac and completing several more steps in our adoption process.  We arrived to the Guest House on Saturday, 8/11. Isaac was standing in the foyer as soon as we opened the door. We just hugged him and couldn't even speak due to the overwhelming emotions!  Shortly after we were escorted to our room, Isaac thought it would be a good time to take a nap. 

  Sunday, we rode to church in a Tap Tap which is a very common form of transportation in Haiti. Isaac was scared and cried part of this trip.

  Monday, we left Isaac at the Creche so that we could go to the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince to file more adoption paperwork. We completed this step and were assigned a Birth Parent Interview for September 17th. This is when the birth parents will be questioned by the Embassy to make sure that they understand and want to give up their child. 

  Tuesday, we had an appointment in Lower Court. We met the birth parents and were able to ask them questions. The parents are now separated and Isaac is the only child that they have together. His father is a farmer which is a very difficult profession in Haiti because much of the ground is rock. The mother is currently unemployed just like 70-75% of the people in Haiti. They wanted to make sure that we were a Christian family who would take care of their boy. At this point the tears were flowing as I assured them that this was the case. 

  Wednesday, August 15th was Isaac's 3rd birthday! We were able to relax that day and just spend time with Isaac. He loves to play cars, blocks and throw balls.  We also took him swimming which he LOVED!!!


  Thursday, we went to Higher Court. There are no appointments for this court......it's first come, first serve. We arrived early and were told that the judge had a meeting and had not yet arrived. We waited almost 4 hours and he was so busy that he just reviewed our Dossier, signed the papers and never laid eyes on us....that's Haiti for you!!! :-)

  Friday was the day we left. We spent the morning playing with Isaac and walking around the grounds. He loved to wear his backpack!

Isaac is a very happy boy and has the cutest giggle!!!

Then it was time for us to leave. We had a very productive week and a wonderful time bonding with Isaac. Please continue to pray that our adoption process will be swift.

Updated Adoption Cost Breakdown
Agency/Orphanage Fees (www.newlifelink.org): $11,000 (paid)
Home Study (application, 2 visits, and background cks): $1,646 (paid)
In-country fees (Consulate of Haiti legalization): $100 (paid)
INS fees: $890 (paid)
Notarization/Authentication: $10 (paid)
Translation Fees: $250 (paid)
Psychological Evaluation: $150 (paid)
Marriage/Birth Certificates: $26 (paid)
Passport photos: $22 (paid)
FedEx Dossier to Haiti: $121 (paid)
Visa/Passport for child: $400
Travel First Trip: $2,000 (actual cost $2,465)
Travel Second Trip (including airline ticket for Isaac): $2,500
Total Estimated Adoption Cost: $19,123 (paid to date $16,678.13)

 

 

We thank God for faithfully providing for our family as we complete this adoption journey.

Stacey and Keith



 

Time to travel!

We have had a very busy few weeks preparing for our first trip to meet Isaac. On July 13, our paperwork came out of IBESR (Haitian Social Services) where it was stuck for 6.5 months.  Our flight leaves early Saturday, August 11th. We just can't wait to see Isaac for the first time! I tear up every time I think about it, so I'm sure there won't be a dry eye that day! 

Next week will be very productive. We have an appointment on Monday, August 13th to file paperwork with the Embassy so that Isaac will be a US citizen when he comes home. On Tuesday, August 14th we have a court appointment and hope to have another court appointment during the week.  August 15th is Isaac's birthday!!!  We are so excited to be able to celebrate with him as he turns 3 years old. Our return flight is on Friday, August 17th. 

We would appreciate your prayers as we travel, complete necessary adoption paperwork/appointments and spend time bonding with Isaac. We will share tons on pictures when we return.

Mèsi,
Stacey