So, last week we got our court date. - By the way this court date is 4 years and 5 days since we started our adoption... That story however could be a whole new post. - This means we fly to Ethiopia (in 27 days!) and appear in court there. We stand before the judge and answer a few questions. At this point we become Bedi's parents legally. There is always a chance that we might not pass on the first try. When we go for court a representative from the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) needs to be there and present the judge with a letter to support our adoption. It is common for this letter to not be ready at the time of the court date. This usually results in a conditional pass, you pass when the letter is presented to the court.
After the successful court date, we get to visit our boy. This will be a one time visit for probably a few hours. If we don't pass court we don't get to see our boy :(
During the rest of our trip we plan to do some travelling and site seeing in Ethiopia. We are really looking forward to that.
Then we will come home and wait for the rest of the process. We had talked about staying and waiting for his visa in Ethiopia. This plan has changed. The time line is so uncertain so we have decided that we will be coming home and waiting here.
After our court date, Bedi will be issued a new birth certificate and a new passport. This should take about 2 or 3 weeks.
When those documents are secured, we can then apply for a visa. He will need a visa to travel to Canada. There is one Canadian consulate in Nairobi (Kenya) that services many African countries including Ethiopia. This part can take any where between 2 days and 20 weeks.
While we are very excited to have a court date, we still have a few more hurdles to jump. We are definitely getting closer - the end is in site.
We want to thank you all for the love, support and prayers!! We would have never made it this far without all of you!!!!
7 comments:
So exciting to be so close(yet seemingly so far away). Happy packing you two!
Esther
Under 20 days to travel now!! How very exciting! Who would have thought 4 years ago when we were in PRIDE together you would experience so many hurdles. They will be so worth it when you get your son home!
Praying u pass court on the first try and that u get to have your child in your arms ASAP!!!!!!!
Debbie
So happy to hear you are leaving on a jet plane soon! I am cheering you on for your court day!
We are going PRV and I am curious if you are as well?
Happy Packing:0)
Kelly
Thanks everyone!!! Its hard to believe that we are 'almost there'!! @Krista - who would have thought 4 years ago that we would be only now getting our babe!!!
@Esther - can't wait for D and B to be together again
@Debbie - thanks :) so great to meet you!
@Kelly - we are going CIT
Hi Brenda and Mike,
Alan and I are really excited for you guys. It has been such a long time coming. We pray that everything goes well for your trip and seeing the country of your sons birth. We will be thinking of you as your get to hold him for the first time. He is a lucky boy. God bless all three of you. Janice and Alan Rich
Hey Brenda and Mike...read your blog...happy that you are at this leg of the journey...will be sending love and prayers and some darn good MOJO!!
Travel safe and put your worry in the BIG GUYS hands!
Janice Martin
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