What a long day! You haven't heard me talk much about Carmen. She is by far one of my favorite people in Colombia! She is Isabel's assistant (niece), and typically helps families get through all the Sentencia paperwork. I adore this faith-filled, soft-spoken, wear her "heart on her shoulder" kind of a woman! So, today it was her and I on a grand mission.
She (and the taxi driver) picked me up at 8:30, we drove downtown Bogota to one of the worst parts of town. That was the notary where the girls were relinquished, and that is where we needed to get their new birth certificates. We entered into this run down notary (much different from previous adoptions) and it was jammed packed full. We looked at each other and thought it may be days before we receive their birth certificates...well, after standing for 2 hours...again, correcting a few mistakes...leaving for an hour...waiting for another 2 hours...we left with the girls new birth certificates (1st miracle of the day)...with little time to spare we called Valeria at the hotel, had her get the girls ready and out the door, so we could take them to get their passport photos and passports...the clock was ticking. We arrived 2 minutes before they closed. We ran in, rushed the girls to the photo center, and were the last ones that they let into the passport application center. Because the workers were anxious to leave, they did not check through our Sentencia paperwork (which we found 2 more errors after we left the courts yesterday)...this was good, because within 5 minutes our girls were issued their Colombian Passports...we were the last ones to leave the building (miracle #2)...Isabel quick called the Embassy Doctor to see if he could squeeze us in...and received a yes...off to the Doctor...he too, looked passed a few errors, checked the girls all over, gave Caroline an immunization for Measels, etc...and told me how "gorda" Marta was...and then issued what we needed to take to the US Embassy (miracle #3)...during that period Carmen was off to Pisingos to get the docuements sent off to ICBF...our paperwork chase ending at 7pm...the girls and I hungry and tired...
Big things happened for us today...and if ICBF continues to cooperate (new step in the process)...we will be able to go to the US Embassy tomorrow, pick up the girls Visas on Thursday...and be home by Saturday (if flights aren't full)...this is best case...it all hinges on whether or not ICBF issues the document we need for the embassy...we'll know tomorrow!
Carmen...she is sooo special...we had a lot of down time today as we waited...I learned so much about this dear woman who loves God so much...her life...living in South of Bogota which is known to be full of poverty and despair...I thanked her at the end of the day for all that she did for us...and she said, "I didn't do anything...that was all God!"
Kristi -
ReplyDeleteWe woke up today to a beautiful, sunny snow day today (about 8 inches of new snow). I actually thought of you. I just had a feeling something wonderful happened to you yesterday :) Praise God for all of these little miracles!! We continue to be amazed how many wonderful, God-loving people you have met in such an impoverished area ao willing to help you - amazing! God comes to us through His people. God has been right there with you and your family every step :)
We pray that you can make the Sat. flights. We pray you have a safe trip!!! We can't wait to see your whole family back together again!
Love and hugs - The Holwerdas
Yeah! A great day! We love Carmen too! I recall her being such a calm, intelligent, warm person. Her and Isabel make a great team. What a frantic day - whew! Maybe you can rest a bit today before the next whirlwind of the process. I am sure you will have fun welcoming a brand new member into our community today :) Is the staff planning a Sentencia party for the girls :) Start preparing those girls for SNOW. I wish I could see their faces when they first experience it! You have plenty to come home to! Praying for smooth sailing in the next few days!
ReplyDeleteKristi,
ReplyDeleteTell Carmen hello from the Kuypers. She might remember our Stellita who talked and talked and talked to her but because of her speech problems it was so very hard for Carmen to understand. Carmen rode with us to Ibague from Bogota and was an awesome host. She is truly a gift from God for adopting families. If there is one thing you come to realize when you are adopting is that God is in control and sometimes, well, a lot of times, God's ways our not our ways, but they are the right way. We are so glad things are moving and soon you will all be home.