We got the appt! Visas on Thurs.

We woke up at 5:30 this morning to head into Accra for our Visa appointment. When the lady called last night, she said that we would be on the docket, even though we didn’t have a paper with our appointment time on it. I was a little nervous when we got to the embassy and before you could walk in the door, you had to show them your appointment slip. When it was our turn, the man looked for both my kids names and mine and it wasn’t on the list. I was getting very nervous! Traffic wasn’t as bad as we expected, so we got their sooner than Percy, so I was wondering what they would tell me. A few minutes later after the guard went through the rest of the line, he told me to follow him inside. We had to empty all our bags of electronics, food, and drinks. Then we had to go through security and I think my bag had to go through at least three times because they kept finding hidden electronics in pockets (phone, us phone, ipod, camera, flashlight). Once I made it through I felt like the heavens parted! J I knew it was such a big deal to get inside; not such a good thing to feel when it is your own embassy, but we only encountered one American there. They called us up pretty quickly and luckily Percy had come a few minutes later, because we were just given the information yesterday but I wasn’t told to do anything. A few of the forms weren’t filled out, so he quickly did it and was pretty much ready when the lady called us up. They mostly spoke in their village language, so I didn’t understand much. I would insert myself when I felt it was needed and she was happy to see me with the kids. After about 20 long minutes, she said everything was in order and I could go and pay for the visa and they would call me for the interview! I thought that was the interview, but Percy said the next part was easy. About 30 minutes later we were called up for our meeting. The man at the window asked Percy why he was there since I was there, and eventually excused him. I thought, oh no, this is going to be rough. We started small talk and he went onto say that he noticed my husband went to Fuller and that he lived by there and I think took a class. Then I mentioned Chicago and he said he went to Wheaton there! I about died! I told him that I went to North Park and that’s where my husband and I met. Wheaton is North Park’s biggest rival, so that was fun for us. He quickly said everything was in order after he checked it out and that they would do their best to get the visas ready for Thursday at 2:00. We need to be at the airport around 5. Ahhh….I had a huge sigh of relief and thanked the man and we were on our way! Wow! I am so thankful that the interview went so well, our documents were in order, and we are hopefully going to be coming home on Thursday!!! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement! I am so thankful to read them when I get a chance.

I will try and write more later…. I need to go and be with my kids!