Todd made it to "the river"

Todd emailed me this morning. He made it just fine to the river. His cell phone doesn't work there. But he does have access to a computer to email me so that works out fine. He said he got caught in a monsoon-type rain while on the boat-ride to the orphanage. Apparently, he and everyone else on the boat, were completely soaked. I had to laugh when I heard that.

Todd says that the Hotel Backpackers is a very nice place to stay. He said that it is rustic, but very clean and it is peaceful there. He said he would recommend it to anyone who really wants to see Guatemala because it is beautiful!!

Yesterday, he visited the childrens village ("the casa") and said that it is very nice. It too, is rustic, but clean and organized. He said they have voluteers there that do a great job.

He said Matthew is well. He said that Matthew can take a shower by himself! I am impressed what a mature little man I have. God knows, I wouldn't allow Patrick or Jillian to shower alone because the entire bathroom would be a waterpark.

Today, Todd will go to Livington. I guess a volunteer from the casa will take him, Matthew and a friend (Angelo) to this town which is 1 hour boat ride away. Not sure what they will do, but I told Todd to get lots of pictures.

I have to admit, I am a little jealous that Todd is on this awesome adventure and I have to go to work tomorrow and get yelled at by customers. HEE HEE HAHA

Todd made it to Guatemala.

Well, I heard from Todd about 8am this morning that he made it to Guatemala City. He was on his way to pick up Matthew, who has been staying at the baby house in the city since his interview. Then they were going to the Rio Dulce and will stay there for the week. I know his trip was exhausting and I haven't heard from him again today. "The river" is a 6 or 7 hour drive from the city. This on top of the fact that he flew "red eye" out of Chicago last night...he hasn't had much sleep. Now I wait.....

On a side note, I called PGN Friday with Ana(she calls in spanish for us) and was told that we did in fact have a previo. The file is at the attorney window waiting for pick-up so that we can fix it and turn it back in.

Packed and Ready!!

I'm all packed up and ready for my trip to the Children's Village. I'll stay with Matthew at the Hotel Backpackers in Fronteras, Guatemala. I will take a lot of pictures and video to share with everyone once I return.

A side note, we were assured that the previo was fixed a while back and we should expect to be out of PGN any time now.

Paz,
Todd

A friendly word of insight: Never Give Up

The following is a quote I took from an email that our friend Ana sent to us. We were having a discussion about God's timeline and plan. Her words were consoling.

"This just came to mind -- maybe it's me being the hopeful romantic -- maybe in some way, Matthew is going to have to know that he was really fought for, really wanted and that he is "worth it". And maybe all of this heart ache and separation is really because down the line, Matthew is really going to need to be encouraged and have the reality that he has two parents that have loved him, fought for him and NEVER GAVE UP ON HIM".

Thank you Ana!! Your words are my new battle cry.......Fight for him and never give up!

Previo

It's official......we have a previo.

The way I understand it, it is on the Guatemalan side. If I understand this right, they need the lawyer to produce a document that tells about where Matthew is staying.

As of now, we are told that the document has not yet been taken to the PGN. Once it is submitted, we will have to wait for the PGN to issue the approval.

Some light on the subject

Although we have not been completely informed........yet.........we do know that the adoption file was released with a previo the day of the interview (6/16). I am assuming that the correction was already made and the file resubmitted. I will have more answers later today and will update everyone as soon as I know something.

The roller coaster ride continues

OK, here's the situation..................

I called PGN (with help from my friend Ana) and was told that the file has a "previo". Like I said before, a previo is a request for more information.

Regina, from the adoption agency, called the PGN and she was told that we were approved.

It is my understanding that Patty, a representitive from the orphanage, has gone to the PGN today to solve this mystery. In the mean time, we're a nervious wreck! As soon as I know something I'll update the blog.

PGN Call Today

We are going to make another call to the PGN today.

I will update this post, as soon as I have some news, later today.

Todd

****UPDATE****

We were issued a previo.

This means that something in the adoption file was done incorrectly or was left out. The PGN told us that they will release our file next week so the attorney can fix the problem. Long story short, there goes our hopes of bringing him home in July.

****ANOTHER UPDATE****

We may be finished after all.

Our agency called the PGN and were told that our case is complete. I will spend the rest of the day trying to learn if we are finished or if we are waiting to have something fixed.

Waiting on "Out"

Ever since we learned of our exit interview last Monday, we've been on pins and needles waiting on the final signature. As it looks right now, it takes about 10 days for the final signature to happen due to the high number of cases waiting to be signed. For us, next Thursday will be day 10.

We've been asked, "what happens after the final signature"? Well..........

1. He will be issued a new birth certificate with his new last name. This will take about a week.

2. He will need a passport which will take one day.

3. We will be submitted to the US Embassy to wait for a visa appointment. The embassy just released a statement that said they are processing cases in a weeks time.

4. We go to get him!!!!!

If we get that final signature next week, it is safe to say that he will be home in late July. However, the way this has gone so far, I'm afraid to count on anything anymore.

Another way to donate to the orphanage

Tax-Deductible Contributions for US Residents

Secretary / Treasurer for Friends of Guatemala Children
Sara Dorman
1430 South 1st Street
Louisville, KY 40208


Phone: 502-931-7155
sara@sharingthedream.org


Please send check to:
FRIENDS OF GUATAMALA CHILDREN / IRS ID 52 1302396
P.O.BOX 211076
Louisville, KY
40221-1076

It's True!!!!!!

The exit interview did happen yesterday afternoon!!!

We now wait for the judge to sign off on the adoption!!!

Exit Interview????

We called the PGN with help from our friend Ana. We were told that our exit interview was yesterday and we are trying to confirm this with our agency. If this information is correct then we are finally in the home stretch. I'll update everyone as soon as I know more.

****Thank you, Ana****

A Call to "The River"

I just got off the phone with Paloma. She told me that Matthew has been doing very well. He is excelling in his new class and his teacher comments on his excellent work ethic. I am told that he really loves school and is eager to learn something new every day.

I was also told that he shows off the photo album that we sent for him. He shows everyone his family and always makes special mention of "his dog".

Paloma told him that I am coming to visit at the end of the month. I guess he wakes up every morning and asks, "is he coming today?"

On a side note.......I've raised a little over $1000 to donate to the orphanage. If you can donate anything, please do.

Thank you to all who have helped out!!!!!!

PGN Call & New Pictures

We (with help from our friend Ana) called the PGN and talked to Jennifer. Jennifer is the person who schedules the exit interviews and she said she expects to schedule his interview next week.

We also got a email from Paloma. She attached two pictures of Matthew.........

Phone Call & PGN Update

****UPDATE*****

THANK YOU TO "D" AND ALL THE STAFF AT HEBRON HIGH SCHOOL FOR DONATING ALMOST $300 TO THE ORPHANAGE. IT WILL BE AN HONOR FOR ME TO DELIVER THIS MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORPHANS.

*****************

We were informed that we are still with the second reviewer. This is OK because we did not receive a "previo". Hopefully we'll be out of PGN soon.


I called the Children's Village last night and had a chance to speak with Matthew, Paloma and Kelly. Matthew was just getting out of school and wanted to play with his friends so he just said hello and good-bye.


Talking with Paloma and Kelly, I learned this........

- Matthew is being moved to a higher level class because he has excelled in school.
- He is learning English with a one-on-one instructor.
- He is at the Children's Village with two other kids from the baby house where he once stayed.
- He only likes to be called Matthew during English class....Marlon in Spanish situations.
- He has been using eye drops because he has pink eye.
- His school day is from 7am - 4pm with a break for lunch and recess at 11am.


He really has adjusted well to his move and has become quite popular. The way it sounds, the older kids have taken him under their wing like a little brother and the younger kids look to him as a role model. He has been very protective of one of the children that came with him from the baby house.


Lastly.....please keep in mind that I'll be going to visit the Children's Village the last week in June. I have raised about $600 so far to donate to the home but am still short of my goal of $1,000. Please keep the orphans in mind and consider helping out.



Thanks,
Todd