We're still here!

We're still here and we're still in love.

There have been many mixed reactions from people about George not getting the visa. Some people think that because it's not easy, we should just quit; some people think the visa thing was some sort of a fleece or test as to whether or not we should be together; some people think we should blow off everyone and run away together, among other things...

So this is what I think. Just because things aren't easy doesn't mean they're not meant to be- if that were the case where would any of us be? Besides that, that thought process is definitely NOT modeled in scripture and I am SO NOT a quitter. Also, the visa was not a fleece or a test in any way. We know we are meant to be together, we're pretty sure that means getting married sooner, rather than later and we hoped that my family and friends would get to meet George here before we were married- the only thing that has changed is the last. And as completely appealing as running away sounds, it's pretty juvenile....can we say "Disney"?

So then, what's next? I still haven't got a clue (well, maybe a clue, but only a tiny one). I've been thinking a lot about the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and it's been encouraging... and frustrating. When Lazarus' sisters sent word to Jesus about his illness Jesus said he wouldn't die, but he did-!- to human eyes anyway. And then look what happened, Jesus brought him back! I'm not implying that the visa is our Lazarus and that God's going to turn it around, what I am saying is that things happen that we don't get and God uses bad things and turns them around to the good of those who love Him and to His glory. I look at the story of Lazarus and even knowing the outcome can still think of half a dozen ways that God could have been obviously glorified without Lazarus' friends and family going through all that heartache. It's a good thing I'm not in charge though, huh?

So we keep praying. Praying for direction, praying for finances, praying for greater faith, praying for miracles, praying for peace and wisdom, and just praying. This is all a tremendous walk of faith, one that sometimes lends way to tears and anxiety, but mostly, a walk of faith.

'I waited patiently for the Lord.....'

Visa news...

"This changes nothing, I am still George and you are still Bethany, my wife [to be]."

George sweetly reminded me of that fact today after he was denied a visa.

We have had time to cry, we have had time to be really mad at my government and we have had a little bit of time to chill out. At the end of the day, God is still God and He is still in control, even though it looks like this totally sucks.

We're not sure what steps to take from here and are thinking about several possibilities. Please continue to pray for us as we walk through this disappointment and move forward...

Gye Nyame

This is my favorite West African Adinkra symbol "Gye Nyame" which means "Except for God", a symbol of the supremacy of God. You can find it plastered all across Ghana as a constant reminder of the need for God and His supremacy in ALL things. It's particularly fitting right now, because that's where we are. We have exhausted all of our resources and are beyond being able to do things ourselves or with the help of any man.....Except for God.

More bumps in the road!

Things as of this moment aren't exactly going smoothly, we really need your prayers.

George tried to get the paper from the UNHCR and he did, only it's not really from the UNHCR. Even though he went to the UNHCR building everyday, rode in their vehicles, answered to their bosses and was "hired" by a UNHCR person, technically, his internship was with WISE (Women Initiative for Self Empowerment). The two organizations were working with one another and for some reason his internship fell under WISE. The problem here is that the whole point of the letter is to confirm the truth of what I said about George, and now it won't. Ahhhh! Also, the man George worked for is now in Iraq and can't be reached, so we can't get him to write a personal letter either.

As for the transcript, the school is saying that will take a month, which judging by their track record, it really means 6-8 weeks. We aren't sure what to do at this point, but we're praying and trying to be resourceful.

Didn't see that one coming!

Today was the day....and we don't have an answer.

I'll try not to be too cynical here, but there really aren't words to express my disgust with this whole process or the people we have been dealing with. On the flip side, there also aren't words to express how amazing George is, he's handling all of this so well while maintaining excellent grades and a good attitude. Yay George!

George went to the consulate compound in Accra today and had a very long interview. However, his passport size photos weren't quite what they wanted so he had to fix that first. He was taken to a specific passport picture place by a consulate security guard and payed through the nose to get pictures that looked VERY similar to what he already had (this is not the first time this has happened and is quite suspicious to me!).

Once that was finished he actually had his interview. To quote George, the woman who interviewed him was "younger than you [Bethany]", she was "disturbing me [George]" and "made me [George] very hot [irritated]". George had to convince her to read my letter-which she didn't, and basically argued with her the whole time about who he was and who I am. In the end, she didn't say yes and she didn't say no. She wants a school transcript and a letter from the UNHCR about his past internship with them. So he will return next week on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Hopefully she'll actually see him.

George has already spoken to the UNHCR and they will get him his letter quickly. The University of Cape Coast however, is quite another issue! They have been nothing but difficult and S-L-O-W!! So my prayer is that they would be nice for once and have a sense of urgency (I know, obviously the prayers of a Westerner, but the consulate's not going to wait!) So please be in prayer with me. Lord willing, next week we will have some real news!

One week...

George's interview with the consulate is a week from today at 1:30pm Ghana time. It hardly seems real that in just one week there will be an end to all of this waiting and anxiety. So PLEASE PRAY!!

Pray that the interview will not be rescheduled.

Pray that the heart of the interviewer would be turned towards George to grant him a visa.

Pray that George would be at peace and have confidence and know exactly how to answer the questions.

Pray for peace for me waiting over here for the news.

Pray that God would be glorified in our lives and in the lives of the people George interacts with.