On Tuesday we started our day at the Authentication Office where we met up with our great Dallas friend, Mark Jacobs. Although we had completed this process of getting all the documents federally authenticated I was still nervous. Any hiccup in the process could have made it impossible to get the paperwork in before the deadline, which was at the end of Tuesday's work day. We were all cutting it close! But all was good and we even met a new adoption couple, the Melton's, at the Authentication Office.
We then arrived at the Embassy when it opened at 9:00am. The goal for the day was to sit patiently until we had our dossier in hand, and so that's what we did. And the waiting paid off. Around 2:00pm Carol handed us our stamped dossier with the non-objection letter! Our unpredictable, crazy journey was completed and it it was more than worth it all!
All of the families we were waiting with agreed that we were impressed with the heart of the Embassy Staff. Despite the overwhelming nature of the situation, they were nothing but kind and understanding. Most of all we were all encouraged to see how much each Embassy worker seemed to care about the orphans in Rwanda. Their dedication and hard work was really inspiring.
We told ourselves going into this adventure which began on Friday morning that we wouldn't have any expectations of the outcome. We were just going to do what we could and we were going to let God do the rest. If he shut a door, then we were going to accept it.
Today we stand in awe of God's plan that was revealed every step of the way. God opened doors, provided opportunities, and protected us (and the paperwork). And as if that wasn't enough, he even provided amazing community of friends along the way. It's neat to spend two days with friends who can legitimately relate to the circumstances you're in. We were all there fighting for a child in Rwanda who we hadn't even met!
The adoption labor pains this past week have been tough! Even Isaac has had to come along and equally endure the hard labor pain. But, of course, it was so worth it all. In fact, we're glad he took us through this path. Our faith was strengthened, our perspective changed, and we were given hope.
We now look towards the next steps in this great adventure. We are investigating our options for moving forward and sending our docs on to Rwanda. We have some great leads and are anxiously awaiting news from them. In the meantime we will be finalizing the preparation of our Dossier (creating a binder and copying everything multiple times). We will also continue to pray for the Ministry and the workers as they process the adoptions ahead of us.
With regards to timing, we truly have no idea. We have heard several promising rumors but will have to wait and see how things go over the next few weeks and months. What we can say for certain is that the developments of the past several days have changed everything.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
In front of the Embassy of Rwanda
The exterior of the Embassy of Rwanda in DC
Where we spent many hours on Monday and Tuesday
Happy hour on Monday night with our friends James and Claire who live in DC
Our new sweet friend, Vianney, who works at the Embassy
Cici and Glennon, two of our new amazing adoption friends
The incredible Embassy staff members that we interacted with the most
After Carol handed Isaac the completed Dossier
