After reading our last blog entry, I realized that I left you hanging on the adoption process. We received all our paperwork in October and our plan was to file our I600 in Congo. Then, we decided to go ahead and file here in the US at the end of October. I was still hopeful to file in country because it helps the process move a little faster. After much prayer and details worked out by the Lord, Jason is going to file our I600 in Congo on December 3rd.
Journal of the Journey:
December 1st - I took Jason to the airport for his 25 hour trip to the Congo.
December 2nd - Jason is still traveling! I expected to hear from him during the middle of the night (December 1st) but heard nothing. I knew the plane already took off for Kinshasa from the online itinerary. His plane was to arrive at 9:20 PM (2:20 PM our time). We finally heard from him at 5:30 PM through Skype. We arranged for someone to pick him up from the airport and it was worth the money. He went through security quickly and drove to the hotel with flashing lights and honking horns. He got the royal treatment. Lol :) When we talked to him, he informed us that he met Camden in the hotel lobby. WHAT?!? Our lawyer brought him to meet Jason at 10:30 PM. What a blessing! He immediately took to Jason like he had known him forever. He knew that "his daddy" was there. After the meeting, they took him back to the orphanage for the night. Jason hit the sack for the important Embassy appointment.
December 3rd - Jason went to the Embassy appointment with everything that he needed to file our I600. After about 1 hour, the lady said everything looked great. Praise the Lord! Now, on to the next step in the process, which is the I-604 investigation. They will investigate to make sure that he is an orphan even though we have 25 documents stating that he is. Lol! More documents, more money.
Meanwhile, I was waiting patiently to hear how the appointment went at the Embassy. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally at 11:00 AM (our time), I hear Skype beeping for me to answer. I opened Skype to find Jason sitting on the bed next to Camden. WHAT?!? I was so surprised to see him sitting there because we didn't think this would be a possibility while there. Even better, Camden was spending the night with Jason at the hotel. As we were talking, Camden was hugging Jason and laying his head on Jason's shoulder. Melts my heart! Also remember, Camden speaks only French and Jason speaks only English. Lol!
We decided for me to take the computer to the school for the kids to Skype with Camden because we didn't know if we would get another chance. They called the kids to the office where I had the computer set up. As they came in, they just started grinning because they knew why I was there. "Are we going to see Camden?" What a blessing for the kids to be able to see him face to face! They had the best time making funny faces to each other, watching Camden show off his soccer skills, hearing Camden say "my brudders, my sister," laughing as Camden was rubbing Jason head and beard, and waving at each other. He is going to fit in perfect with our family! You could see his personality come out with each minute that we were together. At the end of the conversation, he said, "love you mama" and was hugging the phone. WOW!!! I pray that he will quickly understand what "love" means in a family and ultimately understands the "love" that the Lord has for him! The kids couldn't stop smiling when we got done.
Jason, Camden, and the translators were able to take all the donations (from friends and family) to the orphanage. All the donations that we gathered we put in his checked suitcase that weighed 49.5 pounds. They loved it and were so thankful for everything. Camden was so proud that his daddy visited the orphanage and was showing him off to his friends there. Precious :)
December 4th - Camden slept for 12 hours straight. Jason not so much. We were able to Skype again before the kids went to school which was a huge blessing and surprise. Camden immediately starting saying "my brudders and sister" with his accent. They picked back up from yesterday making funny faces to each other. Anything the kids would do, he would mimic them. Anything he did, the kids would mimic him. They would just laugh and laugh at each other. Precious to this mama's ears.
Jason and Camden spent the whole day together playing soccer, touring the city, meeting his uncle, eating, wrestling, and just being together. I can't explain how important this trip was for our adoption process but also the time spent with Camden. The Lord has given Jason this precious time with his son to start the bonding process. What a blessing!
We decided to send Christmas gifts for him from each of our family members. Each gift was wrapped with a picture attached of the family member that gave him the gift. We also made him a photo book with French translations of who each person was in the family. He can start memorizing names with faces.
Camden had to return to the orphanage at 7:00 PM. Jason said it was difficult to watch him go back to the orphanage knowing we don't have an exact time to bring him home. Pray for his heart to understand that we are bringing him home as soon as we can.
December 5th - Jason was by himself for the day until his flight at 9:50 PM (2:20 PM our time). He ventured out to a market across the street from his hotel to pass the time. He said it had everything that you would need, like Wal-Mart. Lol! His translators were 19 and 20 and came back to the hotel to hang out with Jason before he left. Jason has such a way of making people feel comfortable and that they matter that people want to be around him. They kept asking, "Pastor Allison, how can you bring us to America?" Their goal is to come to America to make a better life for themselves. I think that they think that "Pastor Allison" has connections to get them here. I said if he had connections, Camden would be home! Lol :)
December 6th - I will pick Jason up from the airport!
PLEASE PRAY THAT CONGO WOULD LIFT THE EXIT LETTER SUSPENSION THAT HAS BE GOING ON SINCE SEPTEMBER 25, 2013. We keep making great progress in our adoption but the exit letter still stands in our way of bringing Camden home. We know the Lord is going to do it and we trust his perfect timing!!! You can join us in praying specifically for the exit letter suspension to be lifted. THANK YOU for joining us in our adoption journey! May the Lord receive praise and glory for the things He has done in the last 2 years! :)
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