...and the days go on

Received an update from the coordinator over there today and I didn't find it very encouraging. Seems he turned in the same paperwork at the interview that he has for all the other Visa's but the consular wants more. I have asked for him to clarify exactly what paperwork she wants because his first email seemed like it was just consent/decree from the courts but again, he should have known that so if he turned that in then I'm not sure what they want now. I have also emailed the consular 3 times over the past week with no response. The coordinator also said he has "combed" the court and cannot find these documents and so he has requested them from Social Welfare. Hopefully even if they get them they will suffice. If not, I don't know where we stand. I feel like it could be weeks now. It's been one week and really nothing. I am in contact with lots of adoptive moms that have been through the Ghana process. One of them said she had to get a lawyer letter and take it in order to get the courts to "find" her documents. This is where Glenn and I are waiting for God to say, "go". We need prayers for confirmation on whether to keep riding it out for a bit or to just go. We could end up there for weeks and even returning without Amaya if the consular gets all documents but continues to not issue the Visa. A similar thing happened a year ago and families were stuck waiting for weeks-months for approval for no apparent reason.  Please remember to pray for us. I had really thought we would be traveling this week but now I feel like it will take a miracle for that to happen (I do believe in them!). Everytime you're stopped at a light and it turns green--hopefully that will trigger you to remember Amaya in your prayers.

waiting, again

So the update is that the Embassy wants these documents, the coordinator has applied for them with the court and is awaiting their call to come pick them up. He will then take them to the Embassy (no appt needed apparently) and turn in everything and find out when they will issue the Visa. Supposedly this is all they are waiting for.

No visa yet

Sorry for the delay. I'm at work and it's been crazy busy.
We received this info from the coordinator: the embassy wants the original consent and declaration from the court. I have started working on getting the docs from the court.

Really that's all we know at this point. I have tried to email the agency but they don't have much answers.  If it's the court decree, etc that he's talking about we already know they are required and he should have had them with him today. So, I have no idea why he didn't (other families have told me they easily 'get lost'). Besides the passports and medical, I'm not sure what else could be wanted/needed but hopefully we'll get more word on that tomorrow.
So, whether or not he can just hand these in at anytime, how long it takes the courts to get/process these documents, or even if we need yet another visa appointment is beyond my knowledge at this point.
So sad for Amaya. Please pray for a super quick resolution.

Amaya

As we move to less than a week before we know when her visa will be issued, I thought we should officially announce her American name. It will be Amaya Emmanuella Boarman.
In Ghana, the day of the week you are born on is of great significance and you receive a name associated with that day. Many Ghanaians don't know the date/month they were born on, but know the day! Emmanuella's is Saturday and her Saturday name is, Ama. Because we wanted to find something that is close to her actual name, we thought by adding only two letters to Ama, Amaya would be perfect. Pronounced Ah-my-yah.
Many people want to know why we are changing her name. We see naming as part of a welcome-the new/American name represents the fact that she is now part of a new family. When a parent names a child, they're welcoming her; identifying her with them, forever. A name is important to one's identity and in the world of the Bible, God changed people's names; Saul to Paul, Abram to Abraham.
With that being said, I think if Emmanuella wasn't 5 syllables and 10 letters long we might have kept it. Shortening it to something like Emma wasn't an option for us as this is the 2nd most popular name in all America. And, you have to remember that we are a family of 5 trying to all agree! :)

Items needed

We'd love to take donated stuff to Ghana when we go in a few weeks. Here is a list of things we need:
-L-XL suitcase
-gently used or new clothing--sz 12-16 women's, girls 10-14
-sandals and flip flops--sz 5.5, 6, 9.5, 10
-shoulder handbags
-BACKPACKS (the kids at the orphanage need school items but would love bags/backpacks particularly)
-any school items--preferably light items (since we only get 50lbs) and nothing that would melt (crayons....colored pencils are better)

THANKS!