Staying Positive - a Few Questions for PR Processing for Kingston, Jamaica

This site became my salvation tonight. I've been searching and reading all evening and though a 'newbie' I have a few questions I couldn't find specific comments on. I sense I may spend a bit of time here while I continue to wait for my husband...so if you have any experience you can share, I'd really appreciate it.

Hubby and I filed beginning of December 2008 for PR visa --- got approval to sponsor within a month and our package was sent to Jamaica beginning of January. They didn't open the file until end of February 09. A month later they called for his originals of birth and marriage certifcates. Since then...no communication and the e-CAS says "In Progress"...

What I'm hoping to learn...

- When the CIC lists processing times (30% in 7 months, 50% in 8 months etc) does anyone know if that counts from the beginning of filing in Canada or when they actually opened our file in Kingston (nearly 3 months later)?

- Has anyone sponsored a spouse out of Jamaica recently and had their status change beyond 'In Process' before their spouse received PR and came to Canada?

- Hubby got a letter (I know there's an acronym and term for this but I can't remember) at beginning of March 09 acknowledging package was at the CHC in Kingston and that the PR visa takes an average of 6 months --- which is more reliable --- this letter or the processing times on CIC?

- Do they call for passport from Kingston, or mail a letter? (they called him for the documents) Will he have to bring his passport and then return back for it at a later date?

Any insights from anyone dealing with Kingston would be much appreciated. Great forum. Good souls on here sharing experience and positive energy...came at a time when I needed to 'dig deep' and find more strength to keep positive...I miss my husband like nothing I've imagined...I know he'll be here soon, but the waiting is tough. You all know that though.

Cheers.