December update

I have spent the morning reading post in the AWAA Rwanda chat group. It has been so encouraging to here the stories of others who are in Rwanda right now starting their forever family. Wanted to give a little update as to were we are in the process, and also answer some questions we have been asked recently.

Fist the update, we have received our Home study application, and the beginning of our Dossier paperwork. We have done almost all the 18 requirements for the Home Study application. All we have left to do is one more 12pg autobiography, and fingerprinting. We also need to send this application in with $800, which is a little challenging to save extra money during all the holiday shopping, but we have $600 of it and I have finished knitting two purses that I am hoping to get up on e-bay and sell soon to help come up with the extra money. I have started the Dossier paperwork a little, we need new copies of our birth cirtificate and marriage certificate so I have requested those from the appropriate state departments, and payed for them. I also received my passport in the mail yesterday, and was very excited about that!!

Now for the questions, and the big question is how long!! How long will the process take?? Well currently AWAA is saying that once we have finished all our paperwork and sent our Dossier to Rwanda we will be given a DTR (dossier to Rwanda) date and then we wait 7-8 months for a referral from Rwanda of our children. Then we travel to Rwanda shortly after that. How long will the paperwork take, well I don't know I'm hoping only a couple more months. At first I couldn't believe how long it took, but the more people I talk to who are also adopting I'm finding out that many people are waiting 12-24months after all the paperwork is done to receive a referral and travel. Why this is I'm not sure, but I'm glad it is only 7-8 months. So that is the basic overview of the whole process.

We are so thankful for all your prayers and support.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas

The Bruno's