The Beginning of the End!

Early August 2012

It's amazing how God puts things in perspective for you and creates beauty out of chaos.  We got the email that we had been waiting on during the past 21 months.  The US Embassy had approved our I-604 and Berline now had to complete the Consular Doctor's appointment and the Visa appointment.  Our Visa interview was scheduled for Monday, August 27 at 10:30 AM.  I called Jabet Renard, our beloved Haitian friend, and confirmed that he would be able to take her for the interview.  He said, "Okay, my friend! No problem!" which he says to every question I ask him.  I emailed him a copy of the documents sent by the US Embassy and we waited. 

Everything went smoothly.  Berline went to the Consular Doctor and there were no issues then Jabet took her for the Visa interview which was completed without any problems.  Her Visa would be ready in less than 48 hours.  Christy and I were amped to be at the end of the process.  There was still one little issue that had to be resolved prior to traveling home.  We had to have IBESR authorization to travel.  Our primary hurdle in getting authorization was ensuring that our Haitian Attorney would be in Haiti to complete the process.  Mme Cyprien has a tendency to go on extended breaks to France, the US, and Africa.  Timing was everything.  I emailed her and she said it would be completed without any problems.  Which means that it may or may not be done when you get to Haiti. 

When do we go to Haiti became the pressing question.  Christy and I began discussing our options then out of nowhere God created beauty out of chaos for us.  The Boys and Girls Club proposed using a Taco Bell disaster relief grant to take a team of kids to Haiti to support building projects in Coq Chante.  The plan was to partner with Whitestone Church and leave for Haiti on September 8.  Christy and I were both excited to find out that we would have an opportunity to spend a week in the orphanage prior to bringing Berline home.  We believed that it would help her transition to the United States and into our family.  Crazy as it seems we were willing to wait an additional two weeks to go pick her up after waiting 21 months to get to this point.  Looking back on it now I am glad that we did.  That was possibly the best 7 days I have ever spent in Haiti!