I received my official notice from USCIS stating, in writing, that I would not be required to submit the adoption clearance letter. Seeing it in writing was nice. Even better was the language used...
'we have determined that the clearance letter from .....is currently not a legal requirement for Form I-600 approval. .....is not currently a requirement under Ghanaian law.'
I wasn't just given a 'pass' or slipped through the system. The prayers and advocacy done for the U.S. to recognize this requirement as unlawful paid off! God made the innocence and justice of this cause radiate like the dawn and shine like the noonday sun even amidst so much evil and corruption!
We've been enjoying the high and relief of this decision over the past week. Next steps are to wait for USCIS to process all the paperwork and forward to the consular section of the embassy so that we can request a Visa interview....probably a couple more weeks.
We have another answered prayer to celebrate as well. Patience finally received the call from her school that it is time to start!!! She went to Accra for a day of orientation last Friday; it is such a joy to be here during this time to celebrate with her and cheer her on as she steps out to living on her own in Accra and starting the next chapter of her life. She starts classes next Monday, so we will soak up our time with her this week and then send her off when many blessings, tears and joy.
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| I had just arrived back to the hotel from my embassy meeting and shared the amazing news that we finally got the approval to move ahead with Elolo's U.S. visa. My mom cried, Patience jumped up and down and grabbed Elolo, Elolo just laughed! But over the past week, he has made comments about 'when we go to the U.S.'.....usually in relation to his desire for a puppy.....hhmmm, not sure that is going to happen any time soon. |
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| This kid loves to climb trees. |
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| Frank and Elolo are good buddies; here they partnered to wash the dishes after dinner. |
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| The night before Patience's orientation we took her and some of the kids out to celebrate her next adventure. The 'nice' restaurants in town are all at the hotels. This is at the newest hotel and was very nice! |
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| Before our dinner, we enjoyed these fun rocking chairs. |
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| They overlooked the town. |
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| On Elolo's last day of school before break, they had a celebration at school. I decided to surprise him when he got home with several of his favorites. Patience and Patricia also got a surprise! This little chop bar serves up some tasty rice and salad. This day I took it home, but there are plastic tables and chairs behind this shack where we've enjoyed our food. |
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| All three of these are treats around here since they cost a little more than the average. Salad and rice (ok, .the rice is no special treat....we eat rice every other day), apples and soy milk. |
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| A visit from more of the kids. |
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| My Noble. This man boy. He left Sunday for the new school term. After August, he only has one more year left of high school. Then he wants to pursue medicine. But we already call him Dr. Noble. He is such a hard worker (he worked most days of his break), a jack of all trades (he fixed our stopped up sink and saved one of the small girls who got locked in the bathroom! =)) and so, so funny. |
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Noble also has some serious muscles and can cook! Those muscles were needed to make rice balls for dinner last week.
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