What began as a mission of love by Michael and Sharee Langenstein of Murphysboro has turned into a mission of despair bound tightly in international red tape in Russia. Moreover, this time the red tape is generated from Chicago, not Moscow.

After completing all the numerous and necessary steps in the United States, the Langensteins flew to Moscow Jan. 31 to be united with their newly adopted daughter, Masha. The 4-year-old Russian girl has severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine) that impedes her ability to breathe and is need of surgery.

The Langensteins, both attorneys, had visited with Masha at an orphanage in December and thought they had cleared all obstacles to ensure a speedy trip to Russia to complete the adoption. However, a heated exchange between Sharee and an employee at the United States Citizens and Immigration Service in Chicago set in motion a chain of events that has left the Langensteins in Russia for more than a week, filled with uncertainty and concerned about Masha's future.

During a phone conversation and several e-mail exchanges from the couple's hotel in Novosibirsk, Sharee confirmed there was an exchange with someone named Diane Francis, but it did not warrant the adoption being put on hold and possibly rescinded.

"I got into an argument with Diane Francis, the Chicago USCIS orphan officer, about the way she has handled our case," Sharee said. "I did not yell or curse at this woman, but I did raise my voice and go into 'lawyer mode' telling her that she was not properly doing her job. The next day, a few hours before we left for Russia, I wrote Ms. Francis a very sincere letter of apology and faxed it to her."

The Langensteins are the parents of three children, 8-year-old Sarah, 4-year-old Kayleigh and 17-month-old Delaney. They understand the guidelines concerning an international adoption. They adopted Sarah in China in 2003 when she was 5 years old. According to Sharee, Sarah survived polio while in China and is partially paralyzed on the right side of her body.

"The way we look at our family, Kayleigh and Delaney were born to us, but all three of the children are are our own," Sharee said.

The day the Langensteins left for Russia, they were told Francis had put a hold on the adoption, noting in her report that Sharee "did not handle stress well."

The Langensteins were told that Francis, who is not a child welfare worker, wanted a new home study for the couple updated to discuss the issue of "stress management." The updated home study was submitted on the day the couple left for Russia. After arriving in Russia, Sharee was informed she would be required to take a psychological examination to determine if she could handle the stress of a fourth child in the family.

"I submitted to an extended evaluation with a Russian psychiatrist and passed with flying colors," she said.

The psychological evaluation was submitted to the USCIS office in Chicago on Feb. 3 while the Langensteins agonizingly waited in a Novosibirsk hotel for any glimmer of hope.

"We still have not heard anything from her office as to whether the hold will be released," Sharee said via e-mail Wednesday. "We are in limbo here in Novosibirsk, waiting for word. Meanwhile, our daughter lingers in an orphanage instead of coming to the United States for the medical treatment she needs."

Sharee said the home study agency, placing agency, and the international adoption coordinator at Illinois DCFS all continue to stand behind the couple's adoption of Masha, as do the Russian parties involved, including the baby home director (a doctor) and a Russian social worker.

The couple has sought the assistance of several elected officials, including Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Barack Obama and Rep. Jerry Costello, but is concerned about pushing too hard with USCIS.

"We have been warned by various people that if we push USCIS too far, we might never be able to bring Masha home," Sharee said. "We are afraid and desperate, but don't know what else to do. Because of Masha's medical condition, we fear for her well-being if we come home without her."

David Gillies, a spokesman with Costello, confirmed that he has been in touch with the Langensteins, but said the private nature of the adoption prevented him from discussing any details.

"I can tell you that Congressman Costello is involved in this case," Gillies said.

Durbin spokeswoman Christina Angorola also confirmed Wednesday that Durbin is working with the Langensteins. She declined to comment on the case, citing privacy issues.

The Langensteins did receive a glimmer of hope Wednesday through an e-mail that said the case has been forwarded to the USCIS in Chicago for another review. Sharee said she and her husband remain steadfast in their faith that Masha will return with them to Murphysboro.

"We believe firmly that God led us to build our family this way," Sharee said. "Because we have learned that nothing in life is more rewarding than parenting a child that the world has written off as un-adoptable, as expendable, as worthless. Also, because Matthew 25:40 says: 'As ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' For all of those reasons and more that are rather difficult to articulate … we are adopting Masha because we know she is ours."

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