DID YOU KNOW? #3

There are over two million orphaned children in the Philippines alone. Once a child turns 16 years old, he/she is no longer available for adoption. These children live the rest of their lives with no family to love and care for them. Some children end up living on the streets, deprived of the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medical care. 

 

http://inhishandsorphans.org/Default.aspx?pageId=655081

DID YOU KNOW? #2

33% of Americans consider adoption.
79% of those are concerned about the costs, the biggest deterrent.
Less than 2% adopt.

From:  www.abbafund.org

DID YOU KNOW? #1

Once orphans turn 5, they only have a 5% chance of ever being adopted. 

http://inhishandsorphans.org/Default.aspx?pageId=655081

March 21, 2014

A Quick Album for Isaac

We received a packet on Thursday, February 20 that had time-sensitive paperwork in it.  We had to sign a form and write a "placement proposal acceptance letter" and express mail it back to the office in Delaware so they could send it the quickest way possible back to the Philippines . . .all by February28!

The process for the Philippines requires that we accept their placement proposal within 15 days of the date of the ICAB's letter (Inter-Country Adoption Board).  Thus the reason for the hurry with this set of documents!

AND, they asked for us to send some pictures of our family, our home, and other people who would be significant in his life to help introduce him to his new life.  I used the afternoon to throw together a quick 9x9 "album" of our family - it is made out of only 3 page protectors to keep it as flat as possible.  Whew!

We hope to hear about skyping him soon!

****karen

Doubly Good News

We have been waiting for two main areas of approval before we can move forward in the adoption process.  We fully expected to hear from both areas by the end of March, or maybe even the end of April at the latest.

Well . . .

Three days ago, on Friday, February 14, we received our approval notice in the mail from USCIS (Immigration)!

Even better, today, February 17, we got a call from our adoption caseworker that we received approval from the Inter-Country Adoption Board of the Philippines!!

We are praising God and are so excited!!  Both of these approvals came through within three days of each other, and took a little less than two months!  Amazing.


Now that we've been approved by the Philippines, we can share pictures more freely.  Of course, if you remember our story, he only stayed with us for two days, so we only have a few to share . . .for now.

ISAAC RITCHIE

Hoping to bring him home:

Late Spring or Early Summer 2014

Happy Valentine's Day from the Good Ol' U.S.A

We just received our USCIS (immigration) approval today (February 14, 2014)!  That was much quicker than the average turnaround time, so it was a huge surprise waiting for us in the mail! 

Now, we are waiting for approval from the Philippines.  We expect this to take another month or two.

While we wait, we are planning our fundraising event.  It will be Friday, March 21 at the church.  More details will be posted soon.

****karen