I am so excited for my old youth pastor, his wife and family!!! They are almost finished with the adoption process for a child from South Africa!! Below is the letter they posted this morning and the prayer requests if you feel led to pray for them!! :) So excited!! :)
Here is the latest...
Many of you know that this journey to open up South Africa to Americans to adopt has taken 2 and 1/2 years ... the journey is almost over!!!
Last Friday, Debbie and I went to the South Africa consulate in Los Angeles to have them authenticate our dossier. This dossier was requested mid-July and needed before our lawyer could continue the adoption process. Normally, this dossier would be gathered during the 2 year process to gain approval... we did it in 3 weeks!! The stress of that adventure was huge and we finally finished and got it approved at the county level, state level, US state dept level and finally South Africa gave it their seal of approval. We fedexed the package to South Africa "priority" ... PRAY THAT THEY RECEIVE THE PACKAGE ASAP... because as soon as it reaches South Africa and is registered - we will be referred to a child! Yes, that means we have already been told they have matched us to a child, but we can't know anything about that child until they receive that dossier! PRAY FOR WISDOM FOR DEBBIE AND I AS WE HEAR THE DETAILS ABOUT THE CHILD AND THAT GOD WOULD FINISH BLOWING OPEN THE DOORS FOR THE ADOPTION TO BE A REALITY!
So - we could very well be on a plane to South Africa in the next few weeks... but here are two logistical details to be dealt with.
1. Our pre-approval for the adoption from the US Immigration expires Oct 2, and we are applying for an extention to remove the stress of the lack of time before that date to finish the adoption. This should not be an issue - we have filed the necessary paperwork and are waiting for a report from the Justice Dept so an update can be issued to our home study which would then allow the extention to be granted. PRAY THAT THIS REPORT COMES QUICKLY AND THAT WE CAN GET THAT EXTENTION ASAP SO WE CAN GET ON A PLANE TO GO PICK UP THAT CHILD IN SOUTH AFRICA.
2. PRAY FOR GOD TO PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL MONEY to pay for all the fees. We have spent about $9,000 so far, have $7,000 saved - but probably need another $15,000-$20,000 to complete the process. - no one knows because no one has done this before!)
God has taught us what it means to "wait on Him"... the waiting has been long and hard at times, but now that the finish line appears to be so close, PLEASE PRAY FOR STRENGTH TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. Nothing is a "done deal" and so God must still do all the work as He has been doing this entire time. I can definately look back and see God's hand in making this all happen in His perfect timing!! Please pray these prayers in agreement with us!!!
*Just in! Dossier was received and we are waiting for clearance! Detailed meetings are happening with our lawyer and other officials to prepare for us to come. :)
Thank you so much for your support!
Dave & Debbie
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