We take personal responsibility because ultimately it falls to us. That said, what is “no problem” in Nigeria can sure be a problem!
If you read our last post, you know we are back in the US to process our visas. When we arrived last year it was with a STR – subject to regularization – visa for our two year term. That meant we would have more forms to file upon our arrival in Nigeria, which we did. It cost a bunch of money and we received a temporary CEPAC (Nigeria loves the acronym as much as do our favorite tech geeks) – Combined Expatriate Residence Permit & Alien Card). It’s like a green card. We have troubled Phyllis and Rev. Joel numerous times, asking why we received a temporary in February and still haven’t received the CEPAC. They assured us we are “no problem.” We talked to the local representative in Lokoja and he, too, said we need it, but “no problem,” we are OK.
That is, I guess, as long as you don’t leave. When we landed in Nigeria, the Immigration Service told us that our temporary card is only good for 90 days. Of course, it doesn’t say that. Phyllis has been able to leave and enter because her CEPAC is complete, so I guess she didn’t think to tell us and we sure didn’t think to check with the Immigration officials again before we came home. So, we are really praying that everything can be quickly lined up to process a tourist visa in the next few days and then we can start the process all over again when we get to Nigeria.
What a big waste of money! I can hear all our fellow WFMCers doing the math on how many houses could be built for Burundi widows. But, remember, the question is not “is it worth it,” but “is He worthy??” Luckily we were given Sweet Salty & Nut from Trader Joes, Tabasco and plenty of coffee, and we did a Costco run, so we can hunker down in our hotel room – which the airline gave us a big discount card for – for the next couple of days without much expense.
Speaking of money, I KNOW the notoriously corrupt Nigerian Immigration folks LOVED fining Delta airlines $2000 for each of us for letting us travel without our documents in order. This explains why we were not asked to pay a bribe and why we were put on the first plan out. Delta had scrutinized things very well at the gate, even calling in the manager and making us just about last to board on the way there, but wrongly determined we were OK. They actually were not focusing on the temporary card, but on the fact that the boys didn’t have official visas – just “minor accompanying adult” stamps. That part the NIS had no problem with.
Our attitude is good (but we do need some sleep!), and we are thankful this happened to us and not somebody else, and now vs. another time when we weren’t feeling so refreshed and encouraged. We are still quite confident that we are called to Nigeria and are believing for a good resolution.
Just a sidebar – as we were waiting in the NIS office, we saw on the TV that violence had erupted along the Kabba-Lokoja road in Kogi state. It’s the first time any news has come out of our area. God is in control.
