Home for Christmas!

People started calling the Embassy yesterday morning, but we decided mid-morning to lay off, since the Embassy doesn't have to do what anyone says, and might get passive-aggressive if people bug them too much. So we had to wait until 3pm (Ottawa time). Narasimha bought new shoes and went to stand in line a whole hour early, so he could be the first one there at 3. His plane was supposed to leave at 4, and the airport was about 15-20 mins away, the traffic was terrible, and the city was covered in several inches of snow. Before he stood in line, we already knew his flight was delayed like 30 mins, and he had checked in online before then. So N. called me from the airport - he had gotten there fine, in plenty of time, and actually somehow was able to go through immigration there. There was a problem with his ECFMG thing (mentioned in a previous post) but the nice immigration lady believed Narasimha and actually fixed it and said he shouldn't have that problem again (if that was really that easy, I'm SHOCKED!). So Narasimha made his flight to Detroit, but it was delayed before he was on it, and again for after an hour once everyone boarded, so he missed his flight from Detroit to Minneapolis. He was in Detroit, and he actually saw our good friends from his residency at the airport - kinda random - they now live in Ohio, and they were going to Alabama for Christmas. So Narasimha was given a confirmation number for a later flight to Minneapolis, but was then told the flight was full and he would have to wait. Somehow he got on, and landed in Minneapolis after 10 pm. He got his rental, and drove home. It was super foggy, so he got home right at 3:30 am. It is so good to have him back - we'll call this our "Christmas Miracle."

Stuck

So not even 2 minutes after I published the last post, the lady from Senator Harkin's office called me back. She said that Narasimha's visa had been processed, and was done, but that it had just been done so he was going to miss his flight. I hung up, and just waited because I still hadn't talked to him for several hours (at this point, he didn't even know that I had ever talked to the Senator's people). I waited a while, and still hadn't heard, so I called the hotel to see if they had seen him. The transferred me, and next thing I hear is Narasimha saying "hello." I asked him if he got his visa. He said it wasn't done, so he came back to the hotel and checked back in. I told him that I had just talked to the Senator's office, and that it was supposedly done. We didn't know what time the Embassy closed, but he decided to run (literally) and see if he could get it. By this point he was too late to catch his flight. So he ran to the Embassy and it was closed, but someone was there and talked to him. They went in to look if the visa was finished. They came back out and said it wasn't, and that he could come back tomorrow after 3:00 pm. They also said "How would the Senator's office know it was done?" So he came back and called me, and I called Senator Harkin's office again. I talked to the lady who helped me before, and she said that it had definitely gotten printed, because she talked to the main boss of the whole Embassy, and that person said it was done. So no visa today, and no real proof that it's really ready. The only flight that Narasimha can find for tomorrow leaves Ottawa at like 4:00, and lands in Minneapolis. But Narasimha says the roads are pretty bad up there, so even if he did get the visa right at 3:00, it would still be pushing it to make a 4:00 flight in the traffic of the Friday before Christmas, with the roads in not-great condition. And, if this visa thing doesn't get taken care of by tomorrow, the earliest Narasimha could leave Canada would be next Thursday, because everything is closed for the first half of next week.

Apology and Update

First, I want to apologize for my little "vent" from yesterday's post. A good and wise friend once told me something along these lines: "Venting is making something that's not really about you about only you." Not to say that this whole situation isn't about me or doesn't affect me (us), but the bigger picture tells me that ultimately this situation is because for some reason I don't yet and might never understand, God allowed this to happen in our lives. For whatever reason, God wants Narasimha in Canada right now, and this is how He chose to get him and keep him there.

Verses that have been helpful to me today:
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation (trial) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted (tested) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

A few things I have considered since yesterday:

This "problem" isn't about the following things: Government workers needing to be below a certain IQ level to be able to be hired; My Christmas could be ruined; Life isn't fair - why me (us)?; Any number of things having to do with racism, etc.

God wants to teach me something through this trial as with any situation, good or bad. Something I think He wants to show me is that I should let more of me be operated by Him. Today I am much more calm about this whole thing than I was yesterday, which is good - I have had a change of heart and attitude. But that's not good enough. God doesn't want me to be joyful and Christ-like long after any given situation arises. God wants my first reaction to reflect what it should. Our Pastor at our previous church once said something like this: "As I grow as a Christian, I can see the time shorten between my first reaction to a problem and my ability to see God in the problem."

My attempt at a non-venting update:
-We haven't heard anything from anyone who knows anything for sure.
-Narasimha checked out of his hotel room at noon. He will go to the Embassy at 3:30 to see if by some chance it got done by today. If it isn't done, he will check back into the hotel. If it is done, perfect, his plane will leave a few hours later.
-The people who called Narasimha a few weeks ago, and who he called back about a week ago, was the Department of State. When Narasimha gave the lady the information, she thanked him and said that everything would be ready for his interview.
-The people who run the Embassy are from I think the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services?). Their programs aren't updated with the information Narasimha gave to the Dept. of State, which is apparently the problem.
-Narasimha has physical pieces of paper with him right now in Canada that have the information that the Dept. of State needed, and that now the Embassy needs. This isn't good enough - the Embassy needs it in the computer, and I guess they can't put it there themselves.
-Another issue came up yesterday when Narasimha was at the Embassy, and the man who interviewed him said it wasn't an issue for this stamping process, but that it would be when Narasimha tries to cross the border to get back to the US. This problem is regarding N's status with the ECFMG (Educational Commissioner of Foreign Medical Graduates). The man told Narasimha to call the facility he just graduated from and ask them to update it. Narasimha called his old program people, and they didn't get back to him, so he called ECFMG directly. The man who he talked to from ECFMG was really nice to N, and said that this is "getting out of hand." Apparently N isn't the first person with this problem, and Narasimha's status IS updated in their computer, but somehow must not be getting updated in the INS computers (sound familiar?). So, if/when all the current stuff gets resolved, Narasimha still might not be allowed back in due to this issue at the border.
-Narasimha's hospital has been in contact with our state representative, who called/emailed several people yesterday but didn't hear back as of this morning.
-My sister works for some important government person who gave my sister the name of a woman in Senator Harkin's office. My sister called this woman in Senator Harkin's office this morning, and that woman called me. A few hours ago when I talked to her, I gave her some information that I could find here (N. left me copies of everything) and she was going to call the Embassy in Ottawa directly. I have not yet heard back from her.
-Narasimha has been frustrated obviously from Canada as well - he said people who he talks to are often rude and less than helpful, and they act so casual about everything (like this thing that is going on isn't that big of a deal and it doesn't matter to get it done quickly/efficiently).
-There are a million more little details that I can't remember right now - I will post again if anything changes.

Update on visa processing

So Narasimha arrived in Canada ok - last night at about 10:30. This morning he had his appointment at 8:30, and called me shortly after and said that something had gone wrong, and that they hadn't stamped his passport (or given his visa, or whatever) and that they said he would have to come back NEXT Friday to get it, because that's when it would be done. Apparently N's appointment time came this morning, and he had everything he was supposed to have, and the guy who was doing his "interview" said, well, you didn't call us back when we called, and we need this other information. Side Note: They did call our house, about 1.5 weeks ago, and Narasimha did call them back, about a week ago and told them everything they needed to know (another 1-900 number that I have come to love so much with these people). Narasimha told him this, and the guy said that apparently the system hadn't been updated yet, so they didn't have the info they needed. So the visa wouldn't get done this week, and since next week is Christmas, the offices are closed for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So the earliest he said it would get done would be next Friday. Merry Christmas from Ottawa apparently. So Narasimha left - he can't really say anything to these people because then they can just say, well, you don't like it, then go back to your home country without any visa at all. This has happened to people Narasimha knows. So, Narasimha left, and called the CEO of his hospital, and the CEO called the state senator or someone. Then, a while after I talked to Narasimha, someone from the Embassy in Ottawa called Narasimha's cell phone, which I have, and said that they had called Washington DC about this problem, and that Narasimha could try to pick up the visa on this Friday afternoon, but of course, there were no guarantees. So Narasimha will almost certainly miss his flight home tomorrow evening, and of course, being the weekend before Christmas, there are not many flights left to choose from pretty much until Christmas is over. And, even if he does get his visa Friday, it doesn't look like he'll know that he's getting it until they put it in his hand, which makes planning ahead slightly difficult. On top of all this, he only anticipated being there 2 nights, so he only took a carry-on bag, because he was afraid if he checked his luggage, they would lose it, and he wouldn't get his suit in time for his interview this AM. So he has enough clothes for 2 days. After much of this drama had played out, we were talking to Narasimha's brother on the phone, who happens to be an immigration attorney in the US. He said the reason for the delay is because the government is switching over to a new "easier" system for all this, and they made the switch about a week ago, and by the looks of it, it's not going well (shocking, I know). So, summary: Narasimha is stuck in Canada, and very well could be over Christmas, and no one will tell him what's going on, and the government is (obviously) not ready to fix what they screwed up. I am trying not to get mad, but it's tough. Not for me - I can go to my family's and hang out. Narasimha is going to be in that hotel room for possibly 10+ days, and over Christmas. I expected that this would be annoying - immigration stuff always is - but in this case, the government has definitely exceeded my expectations, and unfortunately not in a good way.

Trip to Canada

A few hours ago, I dropped Narasimha off at the airport for his trip to Canada to get his visa stamped. Until now, this visa thing hasn't been a very easy process. There have been more problems since I wrote a post a few weeks ago about this trip which have just added to the frustrations. But none of that matters now. He will fly to Canada through Chicago, have his meeting on Wednesday morning I think at 8:30, and then hopefully get it accepted and stamped. If not, he will not be allowed back in the US. He has everything he needs (paperwork, etc.) but I don't know that that matters much. I guess if he got rejected I would have to meet him in India, and ultimately, we would have to move there for at least 2 years (same deal as back before we knew it was accepted for us to be able to move to M-town, for those who know about that whole deal). So, this is a pretty big thing for us. I would think that the chances that he would get rejected would be low, but still possible, and unpredictable I suppose. People have asked me if I am nervous about him going. I guess I hadn't really thought much about it until people started asking. But, as I see it, no real use worrying - that sure won't change anything (that doesn't mean I won't maybe at least a little...). So, I will pray. And, if you are the praying sort, I would request prayer from you who may read this as well.

How to pray for us in the next few days:
-Safety travelling - flights on Tuesday and Thursday, and I have heard there is yucky weather in the forecast.
-That the visa would be stamped, and on time.
-If things don't work out the way we think they should, that we can see God through the trials and be able to thank Him for whatever He sends our way.

Thanks for your prayers!

On to Ottawa

Narasimha did get an appointment at the US Embassy (over the computer - he must have listened to the man's advice and checked very frequently) to get his passport stamped in Ottawa about a week before Christmas. He will have to go alone which I don't think he is thrilled about. And we did figure out that this process by the time you consider fees, traveling, accommodations, etc. will cost about $1000. I think I could think of more fun ways to spend that money :( Hopefully this is the last time he will ever have to do this - 4th time's a charm.

Being Foreign in America

As I have mentioned in an earlier post, Narasimha isn't a citizen of this country. He is here currently on a work visa - the same one that required that we move to M-town. He will be on this visa for 3 years before being able to apply for a green card. He used to be on an exchange student visa, which had to be renewed every year. (In the following process, FYI, there is no part that is without monetary cost.) To get the visa renewed/stamped, the foreigner has to go to a US Embassy, of which there are none inside the US. We chose to go to Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, because those were closer than any others for us. This has not been an easy process. First, he has to apply and get a Canadian visa to go into Canada to go to his appointment at the US embassy. Then, he has to get there to go to the appointment. We have always driven. Then he has to do the appointment, and wait for a few days in Canada to see if they will grant the visa. If they don't, and they don't have to have a reason not to, then he doesn't get to come back to America - no questions asked. Even if he has a job, wife, house, etc. here, and even if he did everything exactly and perfectly that they asked him to do. Actually getting to Canada driving requires that you go through Detroit and through the border police. The way to Canada isn't bad - they check your passport, ask a few questions and wave you through. The way back to the US, however, has been pretty much a nightmare every time we have gone through. I can't believe how rude and racist they are. I understand they have a job to do, and trust me, I want them to do it well. I don't want terrorists or the like making it through our borders. But there is no reason for them to be unnecessarily rude and condescending to everyone who goes through and isn't white. Last time I checked, it wasn't considered a crime simply being not-white. I have been literally embarrassed for the way I have seen them treat people on the way through - embarrassed to even be an American and be associated with these unfriendly and cold-hearted cattle-herders. So, since he has a new visa, he has to get it stamped at an Embassy if he leaves the country and before he can come back. Since we are planning a trip overseas soon, he is looking at making the Canadian trek once again to get his visa stamped. He called the Embassy today (there is a website that you can use, but there are never any appointments available, so the Embassies allow you to call directly and for $2/min you can attempt to get an appointment over the phone). He talked to a man who was less than helpful. The man said that no, they don't have any appointments. Narasimha asked why not, and why don't they ever show up on the website, since he has been religiously watching the site, and also, how is he ever actually supposed to get an appointment. The man said that they do come onto the website, but Narasimha should be ready to check the website "between 40-50 times a day to get an appointment." Thanks for your help - now can I please have my $2/min back? Whenever we deal with these people, we always comment on how unfortunate it is that the people who are representing Americans on the front lines (literally - at the borders) are showing us to be a bunch of arrogant pigs who care nothing for anyone but ourselves, and treat everyone we encounter, good, bad, or otherwise, like the dirt on which we trample. After seeing first-hand how "we" treat foreigners as a first impression, I wonder a lot less than I otherwise would why whole countries of people hate us and threaten us and even kill us. I also wonder a lot less (not that I at all think it's ok) why people are here illegally - it would be much easier and cheaper for us to break the rules!