Hola,

We feel our time for getting our precious new daughter is drawing near. About 4 1/2 weeks ago, we learned of a 7 1/2 yr. old girl that is in the area of Medellin. We have been approved by the orphanage, Casa de Maria, and are waiting for our approval from ICBF (the nation's foster care system). Currently she is in a foster home and after ICBF's approval, she will be moved to Casa de Maria. They are working on updating her medical and social reports and then they will be sent to our adoption agency where they will be translated and sent to us. We are looking to leave for Colombia anywhere from three to six weeks!!!!

The Lord is so good in the way He prompts us... last week while having a shower for our dear friend, Debbie (who is on her way to Liberia at this moment to pick up her son), she had mentioned that I should check into the Visa requirements for Colombia. The next afternoon I was on the phone with Olga from our adoption agency and she suggested the same thing since different consulates require different things. Boy am I glad I did!!! Their list of requirements is in Spanish and told me that they do not have a list in English. I've faxed it to Olga to translate. We also found out we need to get more "passport" pictures for the Visas and that we have to apply in person at the Consulate in D.C. and then go back again to pick them up. Luckily D.C. isn't that far; we'll bring Bethany with us and go to the Smithsonian... you know us homeschoolers... always taking advantage of turning a trip into something educational!

Well, we have many, many things to take care of before we leave. I am working frantically at trying to get things done. I'll keep this updated as to where we are during this exciting journey that God has placed before us. I hope I don't bore any of you, but we really want to have this as a journal that we can keep for future years.

Chao (Bye for now)
Kathy