4.13.2006

April Photos and Update from GLA -- First One!





Good Afternoon Philip & Angia,

Congratulations!!! I have been informed of your decision to accept Ronaldo's proposal!! This is very good news! I am already excited for YOU as well as for Ronaldo, he is a very special boy.
My name is Molly, I have been working with God's Littlest Angels in Haiti for the past 3 years. Through time I have held different responsibilities, but currently my main focus is on running the GLA toddler house, where your son lives. It is a true blessing to have him with us until he is able to go home to you.

I will be emailing once each month with new photos a brief update on his activities and progress. Hopefully more than brief! But at times things get too busy and I cannot go into detail. I hope you'll understand.

Ronaldo is healthy and doing well. He has had a good start to the month, with some fun activities. One being the first ever GLA hot dog roast! Ronaldo was one of the sellected few who were given permission to join the campfire gang, and roast hot dogs, play, and sing. It was a very nice evening, and the kids still talk about it. Another event which took place just last weekend, was a piñata fét. An adopting mother brought a piñata for the kids, and Ronaldo stepped up to bat with enthusiasm. Not breaking the paper mache open, but putting a good dent in it!

Ronaldo's current measurements are as follows:

Height: 112 cm /43 1/2 inches
Weight: 44 lbs

Hope you enjoy the photos! I'll be in touch! Please let me know if you have any questions!

Blessings,
Molly

4.07.2006

We received our referral!




Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 11:18 AM

Proposal for: Philip and Angia Macomber


Dear Philip and Angia,

We would like to propose a little boy to you named Ronaldo JOSPEH. Ronaldo is 6 ½ years old. He came to the orphanage on 27 February 2006.

Ronaldo JOSEPH was born in Cite Soliel, the poorest slum in Haiti. Ronaldo was a term baby and was born at home. He was breast fed as an infant. He has been a very healthy child and has never been hospitalized.

Since Ronaldo has come to the orphanage, he has fit in well. He is always on the go outside. He loves to run, jump and climb. He loves to play soccer and is quite good at it in comparison with all of the other kids we have. He likes to be outside hiking, walking the dog, running, or just outside sitting on a rock and watching things.


Ronaldo is very understanding….when you explain something to him, he listens well and then, when you are finished, if he does not understand he will ask, “Do you mean this?” He is genuinely wanting to understand anything you tell him.

Ronaldo also loves to talk. He will talk about anything really. He talks about what’s happening daily, or about his time before he came to us. He also talks about what is going to happen, what is for supper, or who said what…doesn’t matter, he just likes to talk!

Ronaldo is looked up to by the other boys of the orphanage. He is somewhat of a leader with them, though not bossy or pushy.

He loves to investigate new places, new toys, and gadgets around the house and asks, “What does this do?”

Ronaldo knows his numbers on sight. He is learning his alphabet and how to sound out simple words. He can hold a pencil well, copy letters and numbers and stay in the lines when coloring a picture.

Ronaldo responds well to affection. He is not too old to sit in your lap and listen to a story. He likes to be kissed and to be hugged. He loves to get a ride on your shoulders or be piggy-backed around the house. He sleeps well and eats well. He loves anything, but rice is his favorite. He bathes himself and dresses himself. He brushes his teeth, puts lotion on his skin, and combs his hair by himself.

His psychological exam says he is normal for his age and she says that the tests show him to be functioning at a 6-year-old level. The Haitian pediatrician has examined him and finds him in good health without any communicable diseases. His lab work is normal and we have started some vaccinations on him. He weighs 45 lbs. and stands 43 ¾ inches tall.

He is a really nice little boy. I think he will make you a great son.

Sincerely,

Dixie Bickel
Director
God’s Littlest Angels

----------------------------------------------

From: Angia Macomber
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 1:13 PM
To: God's Littlest Angels
Subject: Re: Our son R.J.

Dixie,

This is truly a boy made to fit into our family! He is perfect! We don't need any more time to pray about this, because we've already been praying for months, and today our prayers have been answered. This is our son.

He sounds **so** much like Charlie in **so many** ways! Two peas in a pod they will be. We can't wait to tell Charlie all about his "big brudder!" :D

Thanks so much for your significant role in helping God build our family!
Angie and Phil
(and proud brother Charlie)

2.25.2006

Dossier arrived in Haiti

Hello Angie and Phil,

My name is LaDawn, and I am working with Dixie Bickel at God's Littlest Angels in Haiti. One of my main responsibilities is working with the adoption paperwork. I am pleased to inform you that your dossier arrived here this morning. I will get it ready, and then hopefully Monday I can send it down for legalization. Dixie will be in contact with you for your proposal. If you have any questions as your adoption is in progress, feel free to ask either Dixie or myself.

Wishing you a great weekend,
LaDawn

2.22.2006

Dossier sent to Haiti



We mailed off our paperwork to Haiti today via FedEx. The package contained the original 125-page dossier and 5 complete photocopied sets. The package weighed 7 lbs. and cost $72 to ship.

Here's what goes into an adoption dossier for Haiti:

  • 8 passport photos of each parent

  • Photos of our family, house, etc.

  • Recent bank statement

  • Most recent federal tax return

  • Birth certificate for each parent

  • Marriage license

  • Indiana criminal background check for each parent

  • Homestudy by a licensed adoption agency

  • Psychological evaluation for both parents

  • Letter to the Director of the Haitian National Office of Social Welfare requesting permission to adopt

  • Power of Attorney signed by both parents

  • Notarized statement regarding length of parents' marriage

  • Two letters of reference

  • Employment verification for each parent

  • Letter from bank verifying accounts are in good standing

  • Letter from medical doctor verfiying each parent's fitness to adopt

  • Lab tests (HIV, Syphilis, and Complete Blood Count) for each parent

  • Approval for International Adoption from the office of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, based on homestudy and FBI fingerprint clearance

  • Certificates of authentication of notarization from the Indiana Secretary of State (for 10 documents)

  • French translations of all documents except bank statement, federal tax return, and lab tests

  • Legalizations from the Haitian Consulate in Chicago (for 6 documents)

It took us just 4 months to collect all these items! Whew!

10.27.2005

GLA accepts our adoption application!

From: Jean Bell
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 9:37 AM
To: Macomber, Angia
Subject: GLA adoption application

Dear Philip and Angia,

I have reviewed your application and I am pleased to tell you that yes, it appears that we can work together.

I will need for you to complete your paperwork, and send your dossier to Haiti once it is finished. Once we have received it, we will be in contact with you.

Please don't hesitate to email me if you have additional questions.

Blessings,
Jean

10.19.2005

Adoption Application sent to GLA

Jean,
My husband and I put in the mail to you yesterday our application for adoption through GLA. We eagerly look forward to hearing from you very soon! We hope to be able to collect all of our documents quickly and get our dossier to you by the end of the year (12/31/05).

Thank you so much,
Angie (and Phil) Macomber