*sigh*

Yes, I'm quite aware that it has been six months without an update. That means what it looks like it means: six months without anything to update with. Well, that's not completely true, as David was called for an interview in March. The visa office waived the usual 60 days notice of the interview date; they called him on the phone ten days before the scheduled interview, saying that they were afraid he wouldn't get a letter on time. We were so excited for that, hoping it would mean they were really wanting to get our application through finally, but all hopes of a speedy approval have been dashed since then.

The interview did not go well; the immigration officer was very intimidating and rough with David, hardly giving him a chance to answer her questions or defend himself against several unfounded accusations. She was actually yelling so loud that people outside in the yard heard. Needless to say, David was somewhat traumatized by that experience. He was told, just before he was dismissed, that someone would be contacting him once they'd done some more "investigating." (We're finding that this word seems to be quite popular with the immigration officers in Accra.) However, for the last two months since the interview, neither of us has heard anything.

Last week, I was able to get news through the Member of Parliament here. Unfortunately, it was pretty much what we already knew; the application is with an immigration officer for review in regard to the applicant's background and "it's difficult to say" how long until approval, "but we hope the investigation will be done soon." Oh, that word "soon!" So laden with meaning. In the meantime, I've requested the notes on our file and are expecting those in the next two weeks or so. Hopefully that will give us some kind of idea of what is being investigated, or if they are waiting on any documents that they've forgotten to ask for.

Other than that, we're both going insane with all of this sitting around and waiting indefinitely. Next week will mark 14 months since David and I have seen each other. That's an awfully long time. Fortunately, despite everything we've both been through in the last year and more, it's gone fast enough that I have a hard time believing it's really been that long. I'm not very good at passively waiting, so have been spending my time for the last several weeks writing letters to every politician and office that I can think of who might be able to help in any way. I just hope that our file is being picked up often enough to send updates to various people that somebody is going to get tired of seeing it and will just approve it to get rid of it. That's my aim anyway!

So here's hoping that something happens soon so we can get on with our lives already. The next step *should* be for David to go and get his visa... if we can get Immigration to cooperate for once!

Nothing

Well, I keep thinking that I should update this, but I keep waiting, hoping that something will happen with which to update. Since the good news that David's application is in Accra, we've not really heard anything. I was writing letters to the visa office, but after five or six, received a polite, but rather curt, reply that the application is in line to be reviewed, but will be processed as received, so could I please leave them alone. Not wanting to upset anybody and possibly slow the process down more than it already is, I've ceased the communication. But, with not hearing anything from anybody for the last two months, we're both getting a little antsy. Each morning brings the possibility of news, but each evening comes without anything. Very discouraging... especially now that there is absolutely nothing we can do.

We continue to have the smallest hope of being together for Christmas, but that would mean David would pretty much have to get his visa in the next week, and then there's a very good possibility that we would not be able to afford a plane ticket for during the holiday season. Your prayers are most appreciated, not only for us to be reunited soon, but also just for patience and peace of mind.

A little tidbit

On September 30, David received an email from the visa office in Accra, Ghana, confirming that they have received his application and begun processing it. There wasn't much other information in the email, just details of what he can expect as the process goes on. But I still thought it was rather nice of them to have given us some kind of communication that they have received the application and begun the process.

We still have no idea of what kind of time line we're looking at in order for David to get his visa. The email from the visa office states that Family Class sponsored applications like his take an average of 18 months for processing. We're just praying that that is very generously overstated! Hopefully he'll hear within the next couple weeks if he needs to go for a personal interview or needs to supply additional paperwork. Both seem unlikely, knowing what I know was in the application, but one can never read the minds of those in government positions! But if one or both extra steps are required, it will only prolong the process as the visa office is required to schedule any such appointments 60 days in advance. So for now, we're both just waiting to hear something. I guess this whole thing has taught us patience if nothing else!

As of October 5, it is six months since I left Ghana, six months since David and I have been able to talk to each other face to face. One other thing I've learned... never take for granted the privilege of being able to look into your spouse's eyes as you speak!

Halfway there!

Yesterday, I received an exciting letter from Immigration Canada. My application to sponsor David was reviewed and a decision made about it on September 17. I have met the requirements and been pronounced eligible as a sponsor. Exciting news since my part of the application was the only thing we were really worried about. Even more exciting since we weren't expecting to hear anything about this until the middle or end of October.

David's application has been sent back to Ghana, to the Canadian High Commission in Accra, which is in charge of permanent residence applications for several countries in West Africa. They will be reviewing it and contacting him for any further documents or interviews as needed. Being the one who put everything together, I don't foresee any need for information to be added to what was sent, so I'm hoping that within a couple months, David will be called to come get his entrance visa.

Our prayer for the last several months has been that God would reunite us before the end of the year... even though that seems pretty doubtful when looking at the timelines given by Immigration Canada. But we know that God is more than able to do this and are believing that He knows what's best for us. I really can't see the benefits of this husband and wife being seperated for any longer than we already have been (next week will be six months!), but am praying for strength should God have more for us to learn. After the encouraging speed with which my application was processed, there is a good deal more hope in both of us that we really could get to spend Christmas together. I hope you will join us in praying for God's mercy and comfort in this trial, as well as asking Him, if He sees fit, to reunite us again with all speed.

I'll be sure to update as soon as any information is known on David's application.

Quick update

Not that there's much to say. We haven't heard anything from Immigration Canada yet, but the website says that they're working on applications received the week before ours, so hopefully in a few weeks, we'll hear something.

David and I are both fine, but extremely lonely. We've learned a lot about ourselves, about each other, and about making a marriage work in these past five months. As grateful as I am to learn those things, it's still VERY hard to be seperated from him for so long. All you wives out there, never take for granted the pleasure of welcoming your husband home at the end of the day with a kiss, hug, and warm dinner. I feel as if I've been deprived of all of my duties as a wife. Perhaps some wives feel like they'd enjoy that, but I absolutely loved, and thrived in, the months that I was able to be a wife. Yes, I'm very eagerly looking forward to having someone to take care of again.

As always, your prayers are appreciated. I know we're going to get through this thing okay, but having your prayers, thoughts, and concerns will only make it easier.

I'm so horrible...

For someone who is a journalist at heart, I sure do suck at updating this thing. Anyways, here's what's going on...

I received David's half of the paperwork in mid-July, and then yesterday, August 14, sent everything off, neatly packaged in an ExpressMail envelope addressed to Mississauga, Ontario. We've done our part so now all we can do is wait until we hear from Immigration Canada. This is what we're expecting...

Immigration is about a month to a month and a half behind, so at the end of September, someone (hopefully someone kind-hearted, sympathetic and able to pull the right strings) will start looking over my sponsorship application. I should hear back from them in 30 to 40 days, so around the end of October. Then, once they've contacted me and confirmed that I still want them to continue processing David's application (trust me, my answer shall be a resounding "YES!"), they'll send his documents to the visa office in Accra, Ghana. Unfortunately, it appears that that visa office is known as one of the slowest case processing centres in the world. Anyway, if all goes well, he should be called in to submit his passport for a visa in 6-18 months (yes, that's the timeline the website gives, but we're sure hoping that things move a little faster than that). If things don't go all well, he may be asked to submit further documentation, or be called in for an interview (or multiple interviews, possibly), or be asked to have vaccinations done and submit proof of that. Looking at things from here, there's a chance that he may not have all his vaccinations done, but I, personally (not saying that I actually know anything!), don't see any reason for an interview or more paperwork.

We were originally hoping he'd be here by the end of the year, but realistically, we're looking at something closer to February or March, quite possibly even later. Since I've gotten several questions about what's going on and how things work, I thought I'd just post this instead of explaining things over and over again. If you're interested in more information or have questions on stuff I didn't think about including, just let me know... I love talking about David and anything that has to do with him!

Making headway

Just a quick update: We're still wading through the stacks of paperwork that are needed for the immigration process, but there is an end in sight! I've got my forms pretty much all filled out and most of my documentation rounded up... just half a couple questions for my dearest hubby to answer. He's got most of the forms filled out (mind you, he's got two or three times as much to do as I do!), just about all his documents around, and he and Kwabena have had their medical exams. The biggest delay so far is because Kwesi (the oldest of the children) is old enough now to need a passport in order to have his exam. Unfortunately, this is the first time he's needed one so he doesn't have one yet. We'll be waiting anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months for that, then once he has his medical exam done, David should finally be able to send his wad of paperwork to me. I'll add mine to his and ship the whole lot off to the Immigration Canada office for processing. Hopefully someone there will take pity on our poor souls and will hurry our application through so that David can be here by Christmas. If not, I am so getting a flight to Ghana! We're both sick and tired of missing each other!