Update: Meeting Between AG and Attorneys Today

Their were about 20+ attorneys. Many sat around a long conference table, while many others sat in chairs surrounding the table. The conversations went back and forth for about an hour.

Attorneys each had an opportunity to express their concerns.
Ok, here are some of the key points:

1. It is illegal for the CNA to be do investigations on grandfathered cases. *This is still being determined but it was discussed and taken to heart by Attorney General Baudilio and Sub-Attorney General Flory.

2. They realize that some cases involved corruption. The attys argued that all cases should not be delayed due to other attys who are KNOWN TO BE CORRUPT. Baudilio and Flory agreed that these attys who are corrupt are known, so what they are saying they will do is the following:

a. Criminal charges will be filed against those attys that they know are corrupt.
b. Investigation will be separate from the in-process files getting completed.

This way those corrupt attys, no longer make it difficult for those legitimately cases to get approved.

3. Baudilio and Flory, said that cases will be approved in a timely manner from now on.

4. Investigations will be done on cases that exited the PGN very quickly.

This all sounds very promising. Maybe the corruption will be curtailed... for the sake of the children, let's all pray it will be so. The Lord is working even in this difficult time and with these leaders He has placed in Guatemala. It is interesting to see His plan unfold.

On a side note, President Colom is currently in the U.S. visiting with President Bush concerning immigration issues.

Another Delay :(

Attorney General transition (Per Guatadopt)

The new Attorney General Baudilio Portillo Merlos took over yesterday. The new Sub Attorney General (replacing Barrios) is Attorney Flory de De Leon and she has already moved into the office. It appears she may be holding off making any critical decisions until the Constitutional Court rules. The new AG has requested an audit, as well.

What does this mean? Short term, cases that were simply waiting for Barrios' signature are going to be delayed because of the way the review process works and the audit. With a change of power comes delays in about any business or government entity. Expect an impact on all cases currently in PGN. Long term, we cannot predict what this will mean. As always, we hope that this appointment by Colom will mean a more efficient PGN.

Update: There will be a meeting between the attorneys of Guatemalan adoptions, the new Attorney General and Sub-Attorney General (the one who does the final sign off on adoptions) on Monday, April 28th, to discuss the state of adoptions. We look forward to hearing about the outcome of this meeting. Please continue to pray for the welfare of children from Guatemala.

Moving Right Along

Got a hold of the new gal at PGN, Christina. She told me that we were on the 2nd Reviewer's desk as of April 3. I'm thankful to see that our file has moved on and prayerful that it will not be found with any errors to proceed on. Last week, on Tuesday, when I phoned, she stated that we were on the First Reviewer's desk since 3/17. At least we're getting some consistency in reporting :)

We sure do miss these little pumpkins and are looking forward to having them in our home in the Lord's timing.

Information from our Facilitator

I emailed with our facilitator yesterday concerning some questions I had.

1. Does our coordinator check weekly concerning PGN entries or do they call her office to notify her of an out or KO? She or the attorney have to be physically present to get any updates on the files; and they don’t give any ‘in between’ status; they are either ‘previa’s’ or “signed off”……but no information in between. SO they go several times a week.

2. Since one of our little girl's Birth certificate will come from the MIXCO municipality I inquired if our attorney also was having trouble with them? Everyone does; Mixco is notorious for taking a long time to issue updated birth certificates. Apparently, this is the ‘standard’ for Mixco and so far, no one seems interested in making the authorities there behave themselves.They think they are a ‘mini PGN’ and as such, they review and reject documents at will; eventually, you either wear them down or……something is offered in exchange for what is needed.

Our prayer request is that our file would be released favorably and that once that occurs, the birth certificates would not be delayed in being issued. Thanks to all who continue to pray on our girls' behalf.