Ivan and I once again boarded the bus from Shell to Quito. We were returning to ask about my visa and find out when our new interview date would be (not waiting for the arrival of an e-mail this time). We were able to coordinate a meeting Sunday afternoon with staff from a program called Living and Learning, who work with university students who study abroad in Ecuador and also spend a significant amount of time working within local ministries. There is a student coming who is interested in working with Young Life Ecuador during her stay and so we are exploring different options. The staff members who met us, graciously took us out for coffee to chat. It was a true coffee shop, reminiscent of Starbucks and for a moment I felt like I was back in the states having just a normal get-together with friends over coffee. It is truly the small things in life that bring great joy!
Monday, August 25th, 2014
We woke up early and headed to the office for the visa around 7AM. The office doesn't officially "open" until 8:30AM but the doors are open and people start getting in line early. So, like many others, we headed over early in the morning to stake our place in line. We've become somewhat professionals at this office and bring our books to read, some snacks in the backpack, and every document imaginable. The moment one walks through the door, you can feel the tension and frustration in the room. Everyone has a story to tell of waiting in various lines, of being turned away, of needing to come back in so many days, of being told different things, etc. It is so easy to become wrapped up in the frustration and contribute to the negative environment. At 8:30AM the guards begin passing out tickets to us based on our need or reason for being there. Every time there is someone who waltzes in the building and jumps in front of those of us who have been waiting for over an hour and gets their turn unjustly before others. Every time there is an uproar from those who have been waiting that justice and fairness must be administered. Every time the guards have not been paying that much attention or simply do not care to fix the situation. When our turn comes, we go up to the desk to ask our question, "When is our interview for the visa?" We pull out our document stating which case number we are and the woman behind the desk takes the paper and disappears for a time in the back. When she comes back, she takes us to another room, where a guard takes Ivan's identification card number and we told to go to the second floor for our interview. I think, "Hey, finally we are getting somewhere! We get to go to the second floor!" We are then given separate interviews, while being filmed. I went first, with the interviewer sitting with my application and her notepad to take notes on. "How did you meet Ivan? Why do you want to live in Ecuador? What is your mother-in-law's name? How many siblings does Ivan have? What is your address here in Ecuador? What do your parents think about you living in Ecuador? Does Ivan get along with your parents? Do you get along with Ivan's family? When is his birthday? How did you decide to get married? When was the wedding?" etc. While I knew the answers to the questions (7 years of dating helps you know a lot about the other person), it was still a bit nerve-racking. Afterwards, they pulled Ivan for his interview, where I imagine they asked him similar questions, to determine if our marriage was "real" and that we both willingly entered the marriage. Then they told us to check our e-mail in the next week to hear if the visa would be approved or not. So, once again we boarded a bus from Quito to Shell. Arrived in our house around 11:30PM. The next morning, checking our e-mail, *ZING* There it was! An e-mail from the Extranjeria telling us that my visa has been approved and to come to the office to drop off my passport! Praise God!
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| The e-mail! Apparently my name is ACHEL LYNN HAHN... |
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we continue working through the legal system. Watching God's hand over us and resting in His presence.
"Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence" (Psalms 105)
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| Just a fun picture! |
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