It's been awhile since we updated everyone on how our Adoption in China Process is going. That's basically because not much has changed except that more time has gone by and now our USCIS paperwork is expiring for the second time. Each time we apply to the USCIS to bring a foreign born child into the US as a citizen the approved application lasts for 18 months. Well, our second 18 month period ends next month. So, it's time to apply again.

Since our first two applications were adjudicated (I love that term!) by the USCIS office in Accra, Ghana, all of our subsequent applications must also be sent there, even though we are living in Rwanda. Both the USCIS Nairobi and Accra offices have been VERY helpful this time around. They're answering emails within hours and answering all of my questions. This is such a blessing for which we are very thankful!

We've spent the last two months updating police reports, supporting documents and our home study to get ready to reapply. Today I finished getting everything together. Tomorrow we will FedEx the application and supporting documents to the other side of Africa.

Everytime I put this paperwork together I'm reminded of the AMAZING MIRACLE that the Lord did for us three years ago in Accra, Ghana. Click here to read the story. Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers and coming to our aide!

Pray that this is the last time that we have to do this paperwork! Lord, please speed things up in China so we can bring our daughter home!

Just to let you share in the joy of our paperwork, here is a list of all of the documents that we had to put together for this third application.

• Crowson’s Request for One-Time, No-Charge Extension to the current approved Form I-600A.
• Crowson Home Study & Supporting Documents – Updated July, 2009.
• USCIS Documents:
  • Updated I-600A.
  • Copy of USCIS NAIROBI’s email explaining that this I-600A needs to be adjudicated by the USCIS ACCRA office.
  • Photocopy of expiring CIS Approval Notice (Expires 08/20/2009).
  • Photocopy of expired CIS Approval Notice (Expired 11/30/2007).
  • Photocopy of two previous I-600 Petition Fees Paid Receipts.
• Murphy and Christine’s Marriage License and Identity papers
  • Crowson’s Marriage License
  • Murphy’s Birth Certificate
  • Christine’s Birth Certificate
  • Murphy’s U.S. Passport
  • Christine’s U.S. Passport
• Murphy’s Police Clearances (Updated)
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance and Child Abuse Registry Check from Texas, our previous U.S. Residence.
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Rwanda (where we are currently living) translated in English stapled to the translator’s certification.
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Rwanda (in French).
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Togo translated in English stapled to the translator’s certification.
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Togo, where we lived prior to Rwanda (in French).
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Benin translated into English with translator’s certification stamp.
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Benin, where we lived prior to Togo (in French).
  • Murphy’s Police Clearance from Arkansas (we have not returned to Arkansas since this report).
• Christine’s Police Clearances (Updated)
  • Christine’s Police Clearance and Child Abuse Registry Check from Texas, our previous U.S. Residence.
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Rwanda (where we are currently living) translated in English stapled to the translator’s certification.
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Rwanda (in French).
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Togo translated in English stapled to the translator’s certification.
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Togo, where we lived prior to Rwanda (in French).
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Benin translated into English with translator’s certification stamp.
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Benin, where we lived prior to Togo (in French).
  • Christine’s Police Clearance from Arkansas (we have not returned to Arkansas since this report).