The Sudbrock Scoop

Reason to Celebrate

Thank you all for your prayers on our behalf. I got up this morning and double checked to make sure I had everything in order before heading out to the foreign affairs office. Vivian helped us translate the last necessary letter yesterday and I put it in the folder. It is a good thing that Paul helped me double check everything because I had packed all of our paperwork and my own passport, but had forgotten to pack those for the rest of the family. With all 6 passports in hand, I packed the file on my bike, we prayed together and off I rode to the downtown office. Though they hadn't sent me a letter telling me I could come in, the lady in the office was expecting me. As I approached the counter, she said, "Ah, there you are, " and turned to take a large file off of the shelf behind her. I handed her our passports and the visa extension slips that we had as well as the letter Vivian translated. She looked everything over and said it looked great. She told me that we would be receiving our permanent visa permits and that it would cost a little more than the usual extensions that we have paid for in the past. She still didn't tell me how much. Then she typed and figured a little on the computer printed out a receipt and handed it to me, 460 € ( $636 ). I swallowed twice and smiled and thanked her. After a quick trip to the cashier, I returned to the office where she had our visa stickers in our passports and ready to go. Paul and I received permanent residence visas with work permits and the kids each received visas good until they are 16 when they can reapply for their own resident visas. Yippee! After 12 years of waiting and praying, we finally have our paperwork. Thank you for you prayers and thank the Lord for his mighty works! We have reason to celebrate. I think we will have a picnic dinner outside and sing extra loud at Bible study tonight.

Chelli