FEBRUARY 2002 NEWSLETTER 

Kelly and I learned in early September that we could travel to Colombia at the end of the month to meet and bring home our two new daughters, Natali (age 9) and Estefany (age 5). We decided to bring our other two children, Anyi (age 8, adopted from Guatemala), and Michelle (age 9, home grown).

 We arrived in Bogota late in the evening on Sunday, September 30th. This was my first time outside of the United States, so just going through customs and having some of our bags searched was an event in itself. David met us at the airport and he took us to L'Auberge, the boarding house we would be staying in.

 I was nervous. What would I say to these two little girls? To be honest I had not given this event a lot of consideration; all our thoughts, efforts and worries over the last 10 months or so had been about just getting to this point. It was an intense moment!  One of the first things that Natali said, was to ask if we were going to take them to our house so they could live with us. When we said yes, she responded with a big hug and a priceless smile!

 I was certain there would be unanticipated difficulties. I am glad to say I was wrong. Our trip was a wonderful experience. We were well taken care of by the staff at L'Auberge, so we didn't have the burden of worrying about things like laundry or what or where to eat. As for the adoption process, paperwork, and appointment details, we were closely guided through every step. Lucia displayed an expertise and familiarity with everything that kept us at ease, and David...he was simply indispensable in seeing to our needs, providing answers to questions, interpretation assistance, trips around and about town, and an overall calming presence!

Where are you mother?

‘If by his fortieth, a man’s room hasn’t filled with children’ voices, it is filled with nightmares.’(Sh. Scent- Birf)

 In Russia, it is a New Year’s tradition to make a wish that can be fulfilled that year.  Every child has a secret dream:  some –to have a doll, another--a car. But for the children in these pictures, they desire to have a family. Every year they have the secret hopes of a family—and of changing their destinies.  Look into their eyes, there is hidden hope and expectation.  They hope for a family, as their future depends on it!  These children are part of Operation Hope and are coming to the US for a 2 week to 4 week stay.  They are seeking a mother (and father), waiting and believing that one day their dream can be brought into life.

 Are you to be a part of Operation Hope either this Spring in March or this Summer in July?  Contact Tanya@childrenshopeint.org to learn more.  

Their hearts are saying one thing: ‘Mother and Father, take me away.’ 

*China: We are happy to announce we received 22 referrals (1/28) for families that submitted dossiers to the CCAA thru January 10^th, 2001. The children are from the Guangdong & Jiangsu Provinces. Estimated travel dates: about two months. Travel updates: 25 families (Jiangxi and Guangdong groups) are traveling to China on 2/14 & 2/15. Thirty-two families adopted children from China in January.

*RUSSIA: The Russia program continues to be very busy!  We had 14 court dates in January and 1 family went to Russia for their first trip. In February we expect that 11 families will complete their adoptions and 7 families will travel for their first trip. All regions in Russia will be going to the two-trip process.  One region has already changed and we are told that the other 3 regions will slowly be changing over to this new system in the next few months.  All new families entering our program should expect to go two times, but all regions are open and waiting for dossiers. 

*GUATEMALA:  The month of January was busy for the Guatemala Program. Five families traveled to receive their children.  We received 12 referrals in the month of January, so far. We have approximately 70 families with referrals who are waiting to travel. We are so excited that our Hogar Orphanage Program is taking off with several families who are currently putting their dossiers together for the adoption of toddler boys.

*VIETNAM: Things continue to go well in our Vietnam program and families are traveling every month. There are many families from other agencies and other facilitators that are being held up in Vietnam and not receiving their visas. Our families are processing just FINE. No families have been denied their visas and we had 4 families receive visas the month of January. We also received 6 referrals the month of January, all girls! Families are still waiting 11-12 months for referrals of girls and 2-3 months for boys.

INDIA:  While the India AP program still has not restarted, we have been delighted to receive three referrals from Pune: two are babies and one is a six-year-old girl. We are excited about this new program. The children are beautiful, healthy, and well cared for in the nursery there. Two babies arrived home from AP in December. A total of 23 children came home from India in 2001, 20 from AP and three from Delhi. We are hopeful and optimistic that 2002 will result in many more children from India finding families.

*Colombia: Our second family traveled in December and returned home with their 5 year old daughter and her 8-month-old sister.  Colombia is a wonderful place to adopt siblings, because there are many available and because there is no additional agency or attorney fee for any additional children. Sibling groups of 2, 3, 4 and even 5 children are currently available in Colombia. Young, healthy single children are also available and we encourage families to send their dossiers as soon as possible; the wait will be 12-18 months to assignment once the dossier reaches Colombia.

ON Friday, December 21, 2002, INS announced a fee increase effective February 19, 2002.

For more information, see the announcement at: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicafairs/newsrel/fee_de01.htm.

You may also want to review the revised fee list at: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/feechart.htm.

For adoptive families the changes are:

*I-600A: Increases from $405 to $460

*Fingerprinting: Increases from $25 per person to $50 per person.

*N-643 (citizenship):  Increases from $125 to $145

*I-824 (transfer I-600A approval from one country to another): Increases from $120 to $140.

Please make a note of these changes, and if you are planning on filing INS papers, it's a great idea to do it before February 19th!

Lunar New Year Celebrations--For those of you who have adopted from China and Vietnam, one of the biggest celebrations of the year is coming up:  Chinese New Year and Tet on February 12. This is a wonderful time of celebration in China and Vietnam. You may want to join with other families in celebrating as well! If you are in the Nashville area

*The FCC will hold a gathering on February 10 (Call the office for more details).

*The Vietnamese families will celebrate at the Miss Saigon Restaurant on Saturday, February 16 from 4:30-6:30pm.  The restaurant is located at 5849 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, Tennessee (615) 354-1351.  There will be a Dragon Parade and Crafts for the Kids at 4:30pm with Buffet Dinner to Follow.  The cost is $10.00 per family.  Please RSVP to Vica at Children’s Hope International (309-8109) by February 8.

Wishing you a wonderful new year!

The U.S. State Department has just released the:

Thanks for reading our newsletter!  If you are receiving this and do not wish to have a copy emailed, please let me know. 

Hope you have a wonderful Month of Love!  Happy Valentines!

Brenda

Southeastern U.S.
Brenda Barker, Director
7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
Brentwood, TN  37027
615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483

Brenda@ChildrensHope.com
Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, MS, FL, TX and LA

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