Monday, January 25, 2010

Day 10 Update - Bitten by the Gotcha Bug!

On Friday I said that I have been looking over my shoulder waiting for the big "Gotcha" to slip up on us. Well, it has happened. The SDA has imposed a new rule on all adoptive families, including the ones already here...and we are caught up in it.

The SDA stopped our proceedings today and imposed a mandatory Interpol clearance on everyone. Tanya broke the bad news to us this morning. The SDA has up to 40 days to get such a clearance and there is no telling if families already here will be expedited. An Italian family has already gone home. All facilitators and are in an uproar and fighting for their clients. We may have to come home soon, too.

Tanya sent her friend Oksana to help us sign a notarized letter of authorization to let the SDA start this process on us. It was marked URGENT and she wants to fight to push it through. The document is on the overnight train and she will hand deliver it to the SDA (Tanya is in Kiev). From there the SDA gives it to another Ukrainian agency which actually orders the investigation. This hand-over could take 5 days alone. It is our hope that Tanya can push this all through and shorten the wait considerably. How short or how long, we don't know at this point. Tanya wants us both to hold out a couple of more days to see if the uproar from herself, fellow facilitators and the involvement of a particular country (not the US) might have the SDA rescind this new and sudden order. Also, we hope that we can "expedite" this!

So, Heidi may fly home this weekend, we don't know yet. I may stay and fight, But I don't know about that either. We are weighing our options right now. WE DESPERATELY NEED YOUR PRAYERS!

16 comments:

Jim said...

ARGH. Unbelievable. Welcome to "Unforeseen Obstacle #1". We'll be praying for this to get resolved quickly, and that there will be no more obstacles in your way to bringing Rimma home. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Prayers are beings said!
Kelly - Ohio

The McEacherns said...

I read about this new Interpol clearance for a dossier requirement, but I had no idea they'd impose it on families who'd already had their SDA appointments. Ugh. We'll be praying!

Anonymous said...

You've got to be kidding! Someone there has too much time on their hands! I've been praying all day on and off for everyone there right now, and I will continue to do so!

Unknown said...

Prayers are going out right now. I had hoped the artic temperatures would be the worst of it. Keep thinking positively!
Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Ugh- I am so sorry to hear about this obstacle!! We will pray for you all:(

Jeri said...

Someone there has been sewing together too many documents and I guess their fingers are sore....this interpol thing will give them time to recover. Ugggh...ridiculous! Maybe you could explain the process of "grandfathering" to them? I guess not all places hold the needs of the child above all others. Not to say that that's the way all the time here either. Praying that God heals hearts and minds and whispers speedy encouragement in their ears.
ps. while I think it's ancient and archaic to sew documents together...they are actually pretty cool too.

Kari said...

I heard about the new requirement yesterday but was hoping it wasn't true. I don't see how it is legal for them to impose this on families whose dossier they have already accepted as fulfilling their requirements. I'm praying, but, it's Ukraine.

Suzette said...

Our appointment was SUPPOSED to be Feb.8th. I wonder what will come of that? Keep us all posted on what happens. We will be praying for you and the other families there now.

Debora Hoffmann said...

We are praying! Yikes and ugh! I'm so sorry to hear this. And wow--that's c-c-cold!

Amy said...

My heart goes out to you guys... that just sucks! But, then again - you already know that the trips are never a piece of cake!
Hang in there! You'll be in my prayers tonight!
Stay warm!

Amy

jandt said...

I'm sure you've already used this but according to what the SDA sent the US Embassy in Kyiv this was only to apply to new applicants. But hey that was what they sent out a week ago no need to be consistant or fair. Keep pushing on like you always have. Hugs and Prayers.

Jim & Teresa

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Praying for you guys. I've been wondering how this wold all play out, but didn't expect it to affect families already there.

Kevin and Pam said...

Sorry to hear about this! I am sure few words can give comfort except we will pray for you. You were practically on your way home...but this is how God shows it is His work and this is when He shows you how to depend on His strength. You may get to experience a real miracle that only God can do! We got to experience miracles like this when we were there too. The real miracle happens when you actually make it home with your child!

Alycia said...

We arrived home last Friday with our new son, having made it through the passport shortage. We are aghast at this new hurdle. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Alycia and John Davies

Anonymous said...

You can't publish what's on my mind right now and I'm not going to pray at all because, "...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5) So what does that mean when your're not feeling so righteous?!?!? Best keep my mouth and prayers to myself right now. Somewhere, some person has to think of that, submit it and implement it-that person blows! That person is demonstrating all the qualities to be the next U.S. Speaker Of The House Of Representatives. To quote the deep, well thought out responses of one of the 4 teen-age girls in this house, "Whatever..."!

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Longmont, Colorado, United States
Heidi loves to play sand volleyball, sail and garden. Felix loves to fly at the local aeroclub, sail and fish.