All our paperwork was submitted to the US embassy 10 days ago to ask for permission to travel. We were informed that the embassy is requesting more documentation for our case (this is very common). The document they are requesting is called a "life history" and it is basically a document that would testify as to the character of the person who found Malakai. I find it a little ridiculous to be requesting this document since Malakai was found by a police officer that was held in such high regard that he didn't even have to show up for court to testify about our case. Also, what if they find out he is not such a stellar person? What happens then? It is basically another hurdle since our agency will now have to find a representative to travel to his region, find this police officer, and gather the appropriate papers and then resubmit our case to the embassy. With all that being said, that was the good news of the day. Our coordinator called on Friday and said she did not have a copy of our updated homestudy. After extensive digging through a very large adoption file, I found the paper and got it to her. She then called back and said that the fingerprint expiration dates from the first I 171-H do not match from the updated I 171-H! She called the USCIS immediately and they said the only way to fix the problem was to write them a letter and request that it be changed (which could take weeks). She said that this was unacceptable since it was their mistake (a typo basically) and that she would make some phone calls on Tuesday. I'm really praying that the paperwork mess can be resolved and corrected soon and that it would not delay our travel if we get confirmation from the embassy. Also praying that our agency would have enough staff and resources to get to Sidama and gather the documents they need and get them resubmitted to embassy quickly. It is discouraging to feel like you are making great progress and then to have these obstacles pop up all at once. Please pray for quick resolution and that Kai would be home with us soon! I'll keep you all updated.
Christy
