Update 5/8/2011

Well...this update promises to be a long one and quite frankly, I nearly confuse myself when I think about the whole thing.  So, I don't promise to make a ton of sense, but I will try.

 If you don't have time for the whole update, here is the ten second version:  Lesly will go for another visa interview this summer and hopefully arrive in the US in the beginning to middle of August.  Please see "Needed Items" at the bottom of this post.

 If you are brave enough for the whole update, here you go:
1.  Currently, Lesly is still studying for the TOEFL exam. He had planned to take it in April, but it didn't work out due to scheduling issues.  Therefore, he is scheduled to take it on May 28th.  He goes to the school and takes practice tests during the week.

2.  The deadline for application to LDS Business College is July 1.  However, if Lesly does not make the needed scores on the TOEFL, deadlines for applying to other schools, such as UVU (Enlish Language) or Salt Lake Community College will come up too quickly to act on (applying to school as an International Student is *very* involved and requires a lot of things that applying normally do not require such as bank statements, notarized statements, etc.).

3.  Therefore, we went ahead and applied to Salt Lake Community College for Lesly.  SLCC allows International Students to declare a major, which shows on the I-20 that Lesly will take to his next visa interview.  However, when he gets to the US, his English language skills will be tested and if he needs English language classes, he will take those before beginning his core classes for his major at LDS BC.

4.  If Lesly does score the needed scores on the TOEFL to apply for LDS Business College, we will apply to LDSBC.  He will receive his scores around June13.   But, if he doesn't, he is already accepted to SLCC.

5.  I will take the rest of the needed items up to SLCC sometime in the month of May (they require originals of some of the documents) and they will issue him an I-20. 

6. If his TOEFL scores are high enough, we will apply to LDS Business College, in a RUSH (deadline July 1).

7.  I won't make a visa appointment for him until after he receivees his TOEFL scores, because if he scores high enough, we will want him to take the I-20 issued from LDSBC to his visa interview.

8.  Either way, the visa appointment will be made, prayers will be said and if he is granted a visa, he will arrive in the US around beginning to middle of August.

Needed Items:
Due to donations to Day for Danger (Thank you!), there is enough money in the Day for Danger account to cover Lesly's first semester and books.

My husband and I are prepared with our personal finances to get Lesly set up with clothing, a cell phone (a basic, human right, you know!), toiletries, and school supplies.  We also know there will be a lot of things come up that we are not expecting!

If Lesly is granted a visa, the following things will be needed from kind hearted folks like all of you who read this blog and follow the facebook page.  I am always so appreciative of how all of you support Lesly in ways that are tailor made for you.  If you are able to help with any of these items (or part of any of these items), please email me at brookefrost@gmail.com.  These items are listed in order needed:


1.  A sponsor for SEVIS registration.  This is a US government agency that tracks foreign students in our country.  It is a division of ICE.  Lesly was registered with SEVIS, but the registration is only valid for 1 year and his expired on April 27th. Edited to add: This registration costs $200 and basically is a fee paid to the US government in order that they can track what school you are registered at, etc.  SEVIS (and SEVP) also manage the comings/goings of international students in and out of the country.

2.  Airline ticket to get to the US (or a donation of frequent flyer miles - unfortunately, it takes a TON of miles for a ticket from Haiti.  Email me for more specifics)

3.  Sponsors for monthy bus passes.  These run about $56.25 for a student and are valid for buses and Trax.  Edited to add: Thank you to the Heiny family who have committed to one month bus pass!

4.  A sponsor for his health insurance.  At SLCC, this is required for registration for classes, which I think is a great idea.  Insurance for one semester is $400.

If you have made it this far, thank you.  This is all so confusing and time consuming and hard to put down into words but I want to keep all of you informed and to let you all know how much I appreciate your continued interest in Lesly and your continued support of me and my family in this endeavor/adventure.