July 17

Well, we have some movement! Thanks for praying. On Tuesday I heard from the man who approves our I-600 for the US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS). He said he would be approving our application and we would receive the approval letter in 7-10 business days. Instead, we received it yesterday (after two days). That was a blessing.

We do understand the process better. Here's what's next:

1. The USCIS notifies the National Visa Center that Rex is now cleared for receiving a visa. The US Embassy in the Philippines will then get an announcement about it and assign Rex a case number. This can sometimes take 4-6 weeks. Don't ask me why it takes that long. Just give me the phone number for the Embassy and I'll let them know.

2. After Rex is assigned a case number, he will be scheduled for a medical exam. We don't know how long it will take to get a medical appointment. If he passes, he moves on to getting a visa. If he doesn't pass, like if he has a fever or a complication, he has to get better and then have another medical exam.

3. After Rex passes the medical exam (sounds like he's becoming a doctor), he goes to a visa appointment at the Embassy, which is 3-5 days later. His visa is issued within 2 days after the appointment.

4. After receiving his visa, then waalaa, Rex is now free to travel with us. We can bring him home.

So, it's still hard to tell how long this can all take. Even though this whole process has already been almost two years, each time we've filed something with the US or state government, it's taken shorter than expected. The USCIS approval letter is a good example. So, they say 4-6 weeks to notify the Embassy but that could be shorter. Getting the medical exam and the results of it are unknown too.

Somewhere in this time frame we have to make travel plans and it is uncertain what the dates will actually be.

We would appreciate you praying for several things:

1. Quick processing and notification of the US Embassy in the Philippines of Rex' visa approval
2. Medical exam is available on a timely basis
3. Rex stays healthy and passes his medical exam
4. Wisdom for making travel plans

Thank you so very much,

Chris & Colette