WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008
I know, I know, "Where've you been!!!???" You're all asking!! I do have a good explanation- let me begin!
When last posted I was on my way to the airport to pick up our guest- that was Friday the 5th. Wow! that seems like forever ago! Well, our airport here is about 50 square feet. There is no way to miss someone who is supposed to arrive. And sure enough, SHE DID NOT ARRIVE! After MUCH calling to airlines, worrying, calling to our home office in Orlando, and praying, we found out that Allison had been deported at the capital city. Somehow, the person in charge of her logistics had forgotten or had gotten misinformation about getting a visa or Letter of Invitation for her. So, I spent the next full dayand night! on the phone trying to get her out of Frankfurt airport into a place that she could rest and be cared for. Our crisis team ended up getting her to a friend's (our friend) place in Amsterdam where she spent the next 4 days. Rearranging flights, (all 6 of them!), working on getting an LOI, making sure she was not in meltdown mode, etc.... was my and 2 other peoples' jobs for the next 4 days. Ugh!!!
On Monday, right in the middle of all that, Macaroni and I had to fly out to the capital to attend a meeting and to work on getting his new passport. That went okay, until I got to the window and they told me we needed to have an original birth certificate for him. Oh brother! More phone calls... The Water Guy's Parents had to send one priority mail, and HOPEFULLY we will get that by the 29th. That's when the Water Guy will fly out to Bangkok for a water resources management conference. So..... IF we have the birth certificate by then, he can swing up to the consulate, present the paper, and pick up the passport. IF NOT, it will mean an extra trip to the big city for someone.
Let's see... we returned on the 12th, this time WITH Allison. Hooray, she finally made it into our country and albeit exhausted, after travelling from the States, to Frankfurt, to our country, back to Frankfurt, then to Amsterdam, then to Turkey, then to our country again! she is ready to see what living here could be like. She was able to meet lots of local friends, go to a house fellowship, see the leprosy hospital- and indeed, this was the first time The Water Guy was actually allowed into the hospital as well, and meet with a pastor who runs a rehab center! We packed a lot in for her, but she said it was all very worth it!
Allison took off on the 16th from our city, and is now in a city up north visiting there. I'm sure they will keep her busy too.
Then, we had a little excitement concerning The Water Guy!! What a story to add to our repetiore! The 2 of us went out for dinner, as we hadn't really had any time together since the 8th. Occasionally The Water Guy orders a beer to go with our grilled meat. As we left the cafe', he made a lefthand turn, but apparently too close in front of a police car. Trust me, there was loads of room! They love to pull you over here for anything, and often times nothing. "Facilitation fees" are still very normal here, and they try to get them anytime they can! Well, as The Water Guy was trying to negotiate this, they smelled the beer. What we didn't know, (and most of our colleagues didn't either) is that our country has a zero tolerance policy of this. Folks, it doesn't get much more ironic than this!!! EVERY country in Central Asia has a reputation for about 80% alcoholism rates, so it is pretty funny that the one person here who can have one beer and enjoy it responsibly gets nailed. We see scores of guys come out of cafes DAILY after drinking 5 beers and get into cars! We are still wondering what happens to them. Anyway, on with the story... They hauled him in to the center, where they wanted to do a blood test. But legally, they must provide a translator to do that process. AHHH... too bad, they couldn't find one- tough draw for them! Great for us :) They finally admitted defeat and sent him home- vowing never to do that again. Instead, we will enjoy our occasional glass of wine at home, but it's just not as romantic with all the kids and the "homey" ambience.
So, that's been our excitement over the last couple of weeks. Most of it (except for hosting a potential teammate) I'd never want to go through again!!! But God is good, and His watch-care is perfect, even in the tough stuff.
Hope you all are enjoying the winter weather- we hear it's quite cold and white in a lot of places!
Your SteppeSister
When last posted I was on my way to the airport to pick up our guest- that was Friday the 5th. Wow! that seems like forever ago! Well, our airport here is about 50 square feet. There is no way to miss someone who is supposed to arrive. And sure enough, SHE DID NOT ARRIVE! After MUCH calling to airlines, worrying, calling to our home office in Orlando, and praying, we found out that Allison had been deported at the capital city. Somehow, the person in charge of her logistics had forgotten or had gotten misinformation about getting a visa or Letter of Invitation for her. So, I spent the next full dayand night! on the phone trying to get her out of Frankfurt airport into a place that she could rest and be cared for. Our crisis team ended up getting her to a friend's (our friend) place in Amsterdam where she spent the next 4 days. Rearranging flights, (all 6 of them!), working on getting an LOI, making sure she was not in meltdown mode, etc.... was my and 2 other peoples' jobs for the next 4 days. Ugh!!!
On Monday, right in the middle of all that, Macaroni and I had to fly out to the capital to attend a meeting and to work on getting his new passport. That went okay, until I got to the window and they told me we needed to have an original birth certificate for him. Oh brother! More phone calls... The Water Guy's Parents had to send one priority mail, and HOPEFULLY we will get that by the 29th. That's when the Water Guy will fly out to Bangkok for a water resources management conference. So..... IF we have the birth certificate by then, he can swing up to the consulate, present the paper, and pick up the passport. IF NOT, it will mean an extra trip to the big city for someone.
Let's see... we returned on the 12th, this time WITH Allison. Hooray, she finally made it into our country and albeit exhausted, after travelling from the States, to Frankfurt, to our country, back to Frankfurt, then to Amsterdam, then to Turkey, then to our country again! she is ready to see what living here could be like. She was able to meet lots of local friends, go to a house fellowship, see the leprosy hospital- and indeed, this was the first time The Water Guy was actually allowed into the hospital as well, and meet with a pastor who runs a rehab center! We packed a lot in for her, but she said it was all very worth it!
Allison took off on the 16th from our city, and is now in a city up north visiting there. I'm sure they will keep her busy too.
Then, we had a little excitement concerning The Water Guy!! What a story to add to our repetiore! The 2 of us went out for dinner, as we hadn't really had any time together since the 8th. Occasionally The Water Guy orders a beer to go with our grilled meat. As we left the cafe', he made a lefthand turn, but apparently too close in front of a police car. Trust me, there was loads of room! They love to pull you over here for anything, and often times nothing. "Facilitation fees" are still very normal here, and they try to get them anytime they can! Well, as The Water Guy was trying to negotiate this, they smelled the beer. What we didn't know, (and most of our colleagues didn't either) is that our country has a zero tolerance policy of this. Folks, it doesn't get much more ironic than this!!! EVERY country in Central Asia has a reputation for about 80% alcoholism rates, so it is pretty funny that the one person here who can have one beer and enjoy it responsibly gets nailed. We see scores of guys come out of cafes DAILY after drinking 5 beers and get into cars! We are still wondering what happens to them. Anyway, on with the story... They hauled him in to the center, where they wanted to do a blood test. But legally, they must provide a translator to do that process. AHHH... too bad, they couldn't find one- tough draw for them! Great for us :) They finally admitted defeat and sent him home- vowing never to do that again. Instead, we will enjoy our occasional glass of wine at home, but it's just not as romantic with all the kids and the "homey" ambience.
So, that's been our excitement over the last couple of weeks. Most of it (except for hosting a potential teammate) I'd never want to go through again!!! But God is good, and His watch-care is perfect, even in the tough stuff.
Hope you all are enjoying the winter weather- we hear it's quite cold and white in a lot of places!
Your SteppeSister
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