What a day!!!!!

It has been a very exhausting day for us both physically and emotionally. Dominic was such a trooper considering his age and the heat. Here is a very informal explanation of my conversation with the High Commissioner that I sent my MP with a bit of editting.

I submitted my application to the High Commissions of Canada this morning with all the supporting documents they could possibly need. All documents have been notarized and stamped by the Dept. of Justice in Rwanda. I spoke to the High Commissioner, Mutheu Kuvivani…it’s a woman (the same High Commissioner that stated that Rwandan adoptions were not accepted according to the Canadian Immigration Law). I was not well received. At first she asked me why I was there and that my application should have been sent to Mississauga and then it would be forwarded to Nairobi. I questioned her a couple of times (in a gracious manner of course) asking for clarification of the process and is this not the office that the Canadian consulates send their applications, etc. Then she stated that it was ok to submit it here at this office since it was an adoption. In other words she was not correct in saying that.

She then proceeded to explain that it would take 3-6 months to look at my application. I explained to her that I already started part 1 and was accepted as a sponsor but could not submit any other documents until now because I had to be present to pick up the “To whom it may concern” letter. I further explained to her that unlike other countries, Rwanda requires one of the adoptive parents to pick up this document or else I could have had my representative complete this process and I would have waited in Canada until the VISA was approved. After much conversation and many questions, she then said it would take at least 4 weeks. I told her that I had my husband and 3 children at home and that my plane leaves next week. So I asked for a visitors VISA and we would complete the process in Canada. She said that was not possible and that I would have to take the child I was holding in my arms back to the orphanage. I was very tearful at that time (not so much b/c of fear but I couldn’t imagine doing such a thing) and said that I would never place him back in an orphanage and how could she ask me to do such a thing. I just assumed and said “you are probably a mother, could you give back your baby to the hospital and leave it there after giving birth even though you have know them for such a short time”. She then said it may take at least 2 weeks depending on the investigation required in Rwanda but no guarantees. I asked her why so much investigation was needed in Rwanda if all the documents were notarized by the Justice Department (that is a federal notarization which should be recognized internationally). She said it was still required. I also questioned why the US and other countries can process in such a short time when their laws are very similar. She just said I don’t know and we do things differently

I then asked for a medical form. The High Commissioner said that she had thousands of medical forms to be printed out, that it wasn’t that easy and that I needed to wait my turn. I pleaded with her explaining that I came so far from another country to complete this process. She agreed and made me wait another hour (total of 3 hours) with my 18 month old son. I was seen by a physician that afternoon. He was such a kind and gracious man. Couldn’t believe that they were giving me a hard time and said he would send along a letter of recommendation to process this quickly. However, I don’t know if it will have any bearing. The Canadian Designated doctor examined Dominic and vas very pleased with his overall health. The doctor then sent Dominic for an HIV blood test and assured me that the High Commissioner will have all the results along with a full report of the examination tomorrow morning. Keeping in mind that Dominic has already tested HIV and Hepatitis B&C negative in Rwanda. Poor little guy had to be poked twice. But he forgave me for holding him and quickly calmed down after I comforted him.

How it was left….the High Commissioner said she would call me Wednesday or Thursday to tell me if this was possible or not. She repeated that if it was not possible he would have to go back to the orphanage. This woman can be cold. My part is done and now I am at the mercy of the High Commissioner as I wait in Canada but she’s under God’s sovereign power. Every time I’ve opened a passage whether it be in Psalms or 1 Peter the Lord confirms that I am going to face great trials but will be victorious in the end…I’ve got the trials covered now I’m just waiting for the victorious part….hehe.

The verse I am holding on to the most is the one HE first gave me shortly after we started this adoption in Isaiah 41:10:

Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and hold you up with my right victorious hand.

(PS:I don’t have my bible right now so I might be out a word or 2….Leslie has the photographic memory not me)

Thank you all for your encouraging comments (and Lynne I love hearing from you please keep me posted), they are very uplifting.