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viviti

Consider this:

*There are 5.5 million orphans in Africa.

*There are 3.5 million orphans in Asia.

*There are 1.5 million orphans in Eastern Europe.

*There are nearly 400,000 orphans in Latin America.

*There are over 135,000 children in the US foster care system.

 

Updates

  *December 20, 2005 ~ After the completion of our home study by the Miriam Project, the Schuiteman family has been officially approved to adopt one  or two  children, ages birth to 4 years.

 

*January 11, 2006 ~ Our attorney has advised us that the Ukraine will not be a good choice for us as they have made adoptions difficult for Americans in the past few months.  

 

*January 13, 2006 ~ Dale and Camie have officially registered for passports.

 

*January 27, 2006 ~ Our final fingerprinting has been completed at Homeland Security. When they return our paperwork, we MUST declare a country to continue adoption proceedings.

 

*February 4, 2006 ~ We have matched a $2,500 grant from God's Grace Adoption Ministry, Modesto, California, bringing our total to nearly $15,000! 

 

*March 15, 2006 ~ The Beverly Aronson Richey Foundation graciously will give us $3,500 for one child, and $7,500 for bringing home two children!

 

*May 27, 2006 ~ "Here we go!" Our dossier is complete. This very minute our paperwork is being translated and authenticated in Vietnam. Ouch! Cam and Dale have recieved round #2 vaccinations.

 

*July 17, 2006 ~ Our attorney has a representative in Vietnam this week.  He will be searching for our new son, possibly in a Saigon or Hanoi orphanage.  Please pray that the Lord would direct his path.  We could recieve an official referral in 2-3 weeks.

 

*December 14, 2006 ~

Still the waiting continues! We were matched with a little boy in September; however, due to problems with his medical paperwork, we were not able to accept him. We have "supposedly" been matched with another little boy who will be 3 on January 10, 2007. We are awaiting final confirmation before we show his photo and allow our hearts to bond!

We were told to be ready to travel in November. It seems the country is not big enough for President Bush and the Schuitemans! All adoptions were halted due to the President's visit. If we chose to travel in December, we could not be guaranteed an exit by Christmas. So, we opted to travel in January. The tentative departure date is the first week of January. One of our attorneys will return from Vietnam on 12/16 and promises to bring definate dates and more photos. Look for a new posting SOON - complete with a departure date and photos.  PTL that He is ALWAYS one step ahead of us!!

*January 6, 2007 ~ After several months of waiting, we have finally recieved our referrals!  Yes, that's plural.   The Lord has blessed our family with enough funds to bring home a second child.  Lila turned four on November 1, and Levi will be 3 on January 10.  The family is excited and very anxious to bring them home!  Our attorney in Washington D.C. says we should not expect a travel date for at least another 2 weeks.  However, he is still hoping Dale and Camie can travel the last week in January.

*January 11, 2007 ~ Our attorney, Michele, is currenly meeting with her contacts in Vietnam.  Thankfully, she was able to deliver "care packages" to Levi and Lila.  We sent them each a stuffed animal and photo of their new family.  Michele was able to send us several updated photos!   Michele said that Lila has a sweet disposition and is very smart.  Lila was "very interested" in the photo.  Levi had his annual checkup this week at the doctor's.  He fell asleep 15 minutes into the car ride.  Michele said he is a cutie!  All the Schuits are eager to meet their new sister and brother.

 

*February 6, 2007 ~ Finally, after a long wait, we have an official travel date and tickets!  Camie and Dale are leaving March 1 and will arrive home on March 23.  We are praising the Lord for reasonable ticket prices.

 

* March 4, 2007 ~ We have safely arrived in Vietnam after 20 months of waiting.  To all our friends who are on this journey, it will be here before you know it! 

   This city is so busy.  There are motorbikes everywhere.  It's a scarey venture to even cross the street.  We haven't tried it yet.  Luckily, the 4-story mall is on the same side of the street as our hotel.  Yippee!  There are NO direction signs, stop signs, or stop lights.  That's the reason for the car horn.  Beep once or twice, close your eyes, and GO GO GO!  The people are unbelievably friendly and very helpful.  Many speak very clear English.  They are very concerned about health and cleanliness.  Many wear protective face masks while outside.  The children even have little flannel masks with cute animals on them.  The girls wear elbow-length gloves and socks to protect their skin from the sun. 
   We have never been so exhausted as when we finally arrived at the hotel.  It was good to have some down time to recover.  The hotel is lovely!  It will be a luxurious stay for us!  Dale is happy to have found diet coke at the mall, and Cam even likes the mega-powerful coffee.  The word strong isn't "strong" enough to describe it.
   We received the message today that our lost luggage is in Tokyo and will arrive at our hotel tomorrow.  Praise the Lord!  We will keep you posted on that little detail. 
   Thanks to everyone for your prayers.  This will certainly be the trip-of-a-lifetime for us.
 
*March 6, 2007 ~ Great news!  Our luggage has arrived!  We ate at the Texas Barbeque last night.  We walked there and had to cross streets numerous times.  (That's a real accomplishment considering the millions of motorbikes.)  The owner is from Texas.  The waitresses wore cowboy hats, and Dad, you would have loved the bbq sauce!  They have clown sundaes for dessert (just like Ivanhoes in Upland).  We can't wait to take Levi & Lila there for a treat when we get them.
   We still have no idea when we will go to the orphanage.  This is normal business procedure in Vietnam.  The adoption facilitators know we are here and will contact us at the RIGHT time.  Until then, we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
   Tomorrow we will be taking a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City and taking a motorbike ride.  Hang on for dear life!
   To all our adoptive friends, we suggest bringing limited snacks.  Any comfort food you want is readily available just down the street and at very inexpensive prices.   You will all LOVE it here! 
 
*March 9, 2007 ~We took a day long tour of HCMC on motorbikes.  We had a FUN time seeing the many facets of the city.  Sometimes other bikes are so close that they brush you knee!  It can be scarey.  Now we understand why most people wear masks while riding.  The fumes are quite strong. Last evening we walked to an outdoor market where you can buy anything imaginable.  The vendors are so anxious to sell you something that they follow you around like fleas.  Please continue to pray about getting into the orphanage.  We are being told there are numerous delays.  We feel this issue is out of our hands and totally up to the Lord. 
 
* March 13, 2007 ~ It's hard to believe we have been in Vietnam for 11 days!  We have not been to the orphanage yet.  We have not even been given a possible date.  Please continue to pray that this would happen SOON.  We would prefer to be waiting "with" our new children so we could be getting to know them.  Everyday we discover a new place in the city.  It is bustling and packed with people.  The apartments and homes are very tiny, therefore, the people spend a lot of time gathered on the sidewalks in front of shops or in little cafes.  Surprisingly, most people do not walk places but ride motorbikes.  We have enjoyed walking as it enables us to see more of the city.  We usually do not go outside in the mid-afternoon.  It is SO hot and humid, quite frankly, our bodies have had a hard time adjusting.  It is 95 degrees (or higher) every day!  We will post a new update the minute we hear good news.  We miss everyone and thank you for praying!
 
*March 16, 2007 ~ THE BAD NEWS - Let's get it over with first!  Now we are being told we cannot see the children until March 22-24.  The Giving & Receiving Ceremony will be March 29 or 30.  We're over the shock and are trusting fully that the Lord knows what He is doing!
 
THE GOOD NEWS - We have finally met some other adoptive families.  Seeing the smiles on their beautiful children's faces has given us renewed hope.  The end result will be worth the wait!
 
Dale is pleased to report that he has located a Kentucky Fried Chicken about 5 blocks from the hotel.  It's "finger lickin good."  Camie is happy to have discovered a way to make ice tea from the hotel hot pot and is able to keep it in the mini frig.  Oh, the comforts of home!  We miss you all.  Keep praying.
 
*April 18, 2007 ~  

AND - the entries abruptly stop!

    It was requested by our Vietnamese facilitator that we stop all entries on the website due to the adoption process delays. For fear we would jeopardize the adoptions, we complied. On March 22, 2007, we were sent home to wait for the completion of paperwork, being told we would be called back at the end of April. We are still waiting for the call (as of April 18).

    We were able to have 2 wonderful visits with our precious Levi & Lila! These times will sustain us until we return. The Lord answered our prayer - we sensed an immediate bond with the kids, thus leaving part of our hearts in Vietnam!

    While this was not our plan, we are fully confident that this was the Lord's plan. "There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless, the Lord's counsel - that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

    For an update on the next departure date, please contact the Schuitemans directly. Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

 

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