Immigration Update

Road to Tamale

We made it to the immigration office in Tamale.  We filled out a renewal form for each of us,  gave them yet another passport photo (had to send 4 with the initial visa application) then we had to meet with the main officer.  It turns out, Lawrence was the "number 2 man" and the "number 1 man" was out of the country for a few weeks.  We had hoped to get an extension for the full 4 more months we will be here, but Lawrence didn't have the authority to do that.  Interestingly, though, he also didn't have the authority to grant us the customary 2 months either.  So now we have his personal cell phone number that we must call in 2 weeks to find out the verdict.  Then we will have to take our passports back to Tamale to get our stamps.  


We are somewhat suspicious that they are trying to hassle us into paying more money.  I tried to "innocently" ask one of the clerks what the cost per month of extension, but he said "Let me go ask, the cost has gone up recently."  (Yeah, right about the time the American walked through the door.)  We didn't realize why the number 2 man in charge did not have the authority to grant to us what their immigration law allows.  


There has been an immigration officer who has been "nosing" around here at BMC over the last few weeks.  They seem to want all the volunteers to begin applying for WORK visas instead of VISITOR visas.  Not only is that a more complicated process, but more COSTLY too.  I think we all can read between the lines . . . .

Meanwhile, in 2 days our passports will reflect that we are technically illegal aliens since we don't have an updated stamp.  Lawrence assures us that if we have ANY trouble, call his personal number and he will take care of it since he has authority over ALL the northern region of Ghana.   (So why didn't he just give us a stamp?  Go figure.)

This makes me think of how we are "aliens" in this world as Christians.  Aren't we glad this world is NOT our home?  Every day that goes by makes me long for our heavenly home even more.  


Please pray that all will go smoothly with the passports.  We aren't really worried about it, but if they choose to make our lives difficult, they can do so and we don't want the distraction.


Following . . . .