Guatemala- Permanent Resident
Update: Number 2
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! -Psa 27:14
In November we were notified of the final steps to be taken to complete Robins, permanent residency process. Overjoyed we made the 3.5 hour drive to Guatemala City, only to find after various stampings, photos, and signings, we would need to return Thanksgiving day (not a holiday in Central America).
Returning on the specified day (add the travel, hotel, and meals), waited at the door early, third to enter the building, we received yet another stamp, and then the news. We must now return to our home city of Xela to register Robin and obtain an DPI card (national identification). Starting to see the bottom of our pocketbook as the travel expenses mounted.
December
came and went with several trips to our local registration office, each
time receiving a later date to "check back again". In the first
days of January we received the DPI card, PTL!
The last part of this process is to return to Guatemala City to drop Robin's passport (and all our paperwork), for the coveted multi-entry visa of a permanent resident, takes about 8 days, they say (and we will believe).
We will be making this trip again this coming Friday, 3 February 2012. Please join with in agreement for favor at the immigration office and travel mercies as we drive down and back the same day.
Update: Number 1
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God....(Philippians 4:6 (NKJ)
How wonderful it is to testify that God is faithful to His Word. Not 24 hours after we let this need be known it was provided for completely. God is good!
Robins paperwork is in-process, and we ask that you remain in prayer with us, believing in faith, for favor in the speedy issuance of her residency.
All visitors to Guatemala are granted a tourist visa when they arrive, allowing up to 90 days before the visitor is required to leave the country. Missionaries such as Robin and I, must bear the travel cost (airfare) of leaving the country for a minimum of 3 days before returning to obtain another tourist visa.
An alternant option, was to obtain a two (2) year temporary residency visa. We chose this one, two years ago, to be good stewards over the support that comes to us.
As missionaries we needed to first obtain this 2 year visa as a preliminary step to obtaining a "Permanent Residency Visa". Only while the 2 year visa is still in effect, may we apply for a permanent visa.
Here is where the urgency recently came to light. Central American convention for writing dates is only slightly different than the U.S. convention.
I must admit that I misread the expire date of 05/02/11 and my thinking was to plan for May 2,2011 to have documents and prayed in funds for Robin's residency visa. The actual expire date by Guatemalan date convention is February 5, 2011.
The cost of the "Permanent Residency Visa" is $900.00 USD (each). This cost, though significant, is far less expensive than just one time departing and returning for a 90 day visa. We could sure use your prayer and support.