Its Finally My Turn

[All4Kweku 0]

Greetings and Salutations everyone,

Over the last three years I have tread this visa journey, I have made many friends in this forum. Its been so long that most of you don't even know peglibr, kanyiri and some of the other "old timers" I initially suffered with. But this post is to for each and everyone who has watched, lurked and waited for my journey to complete. I have suffered and ached with sympathy (for myself and others). I have also celebrated and triumphed with other people’s successes while patiently (and sometimes impatiently) waiting for my own. Well friends, I finally have my success to share! From the wonderful timeline regarding updates and case progressions posted by zee, my husband and (step) son did indeed have their interviews on July 14th. During that interview, we were told to bring additional documents regarding my son’s case yesterday. Well, all glory to the Most High God Almighty, because that is the only reason we were delivered a victory.

When we arrived, we deposited out appointment letter at window number two and proceeded to wait three hours. Since my husband had been sick the previous appointment (on the 14th) the officer/secretary who collects all the documents, asked after his health when she saw him on Wednesday (she knows us very well, after seeing us come and go the last three years at the old embassy offices, as well as the new). My husband complained that the wait was frustrating. She told him to have a seat and less than five minutes later, their names were called to see a female CO. The original CO who handled our case was interviewing someone else, but he smiled when he saw us. I have to admit that I was somewhat surprised at the good natured manner that we were approached by the different officers and workers, which was a marked contrast to the attitude and behavior of COs/guards at the old Embassy in Osu. After we handed the new documents to the CO handling the case, she proceeded to explain how our documents were insufficient, again and how we need to get yet another letter. My husband was furious. He said, why is it that when we want to know where we need to go to collect these various documents, no one seems to know, but when we finally hunt them down and bring them back, you can always tell us that we don’t have the right document or should have gone to a different place? The woman did get a little attitude then and explained again why we needed to secure another document regarding my son’s ability to travel out of Ghana. She was already getting ready to put the documents we brought back through the slot, and fill the yellow paper (requesting additional evidence, yet again) when she noticed our original CO walking nearby. The woman CO who was speaking with us then said, let me see those papers again, go have a seat. After a few brief minutes, she called us back to the window and said she had good news to share. She said she consulted with some of her colleagues, and she realized that we had a special case and then concluded that all of our documents were sufficient. She then asked for their passports and reached over the yellow paper to retrieve a blue slip. I simply beamed, and Thanked God. I’ve seen enough pink, yellow and blue papers over the last three years escorting my family to interviews to know exactly what every single one of them means. I asked, so how soon can we come? They are scheduled to pick up their visas on Friday, August 1. My mother always says, “God only brings you to it, to bring you through it”. I have been affirmed yet again, that God is my champion. I know Ghana is notorious for taking their time in printing visas, but as far as that blue paper is in my hand, I have no doubts. We practically skipped out of the Embassy, almost forgetting to pick up our cell phones at security and came to Osu to have lunch and celebrate. It was only when we reached home that I fell to my knees, thanked the Most High for answering my prayers and cried tears of relief and gratitude. I have often felt fortunate that I spend extended periods of time in Ghana with my family, but I know nothing compares to the joys of having my family with me in the US. Once they pick up their visas, we will begin to make travel arrangements and we should all fly back to the US together.

I will keep you posted on the happenings. I apologize for not providing more details regarding the interview. Since many of my bumps on this visa journey relate to sensitive issues regarding a child, I don’t feel comfortable sharing them in an open forum. Just know that one of the first thoughts that came to my mind as we left the Embassy on Wednesday was, “I am finally going to have my own WE GOT IT thread to post in VJ Africa forum”. I feel such peace….

Now off to sell everything in this house, sort our tickets, pack and get out of here in the next two weeks!

This brings to mind a question—I forgot to bring my credit cards to Accra so I have no way to purchase our tickets home. For those of you (in the US) who bought your significant other’s tickets, how did you work that out? Are there any travel agents/airlines that will allow you to purchase tickets in the US for travel originating in Ghana? My family (in the US) is willing to buy the tickets, but none of the travel agents I’ve spoken to (in Accra) will allow third-party purchases without the actual credit card because of all the high incidents of fraud. Any suggestions? Just in case I’m not the last to know, I though I’d share—KLM does not require transit visas for visa holders traveling to the US anymore. That’s another plus.

I have been so pleased that things in this forum have returned to the levels of positivity from when I first joined VJ. I went "underground" and have been around lurking for quite some time, but after some discouraging PMs and post comments a while ago, I stopped really sharing in the forum. Thank you all for making this a welcoming place again and I will be sure to be around more often!

Wooo-hoo :dance: :star:

[Ricca711 1]

Congratulations, and welcome back!

[We_Destiny 1]

CONGRATS

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Congratulations on the wonderful news!! It is a great testament and gives hope to many others still waiting for their loved ones to join them. Enjoy this time.

Regarding the ticket, you may need to have the cash wired to you and then purchase the tickets with cash.

[reeses16 8]

Congrats! Call a US based travel agency. I used a US based agency to buy my hubby's one way E-ticket from Ethiopia; he confirmed his flight the day before with his passport & visa. Also try to have your family book your ticket online. You and your hubby may have to confirm your tickets at a local airline office. Good luck!

[stevi1123 0]

What a wonderful and touching story. Thank you for sharing it with us, and congratulations to you and your new family.

[We_Destiny 1]

If you have a copy of the identification card and the credit card front and back of the person that booked the tickets you should be able to confirm your flight with the copies. That is what we were told to do when my SO travelled.

[o0pink0o 3]

Congrats!!

[Ta Ta 1]

Congratulations :dance:

[LovinLiberia 0]

Girl, I cried while reading your story. I am beyond happy for the two of you. I remember joining here when all of you were active and I know you have been in this thing for a long time now. I was always rooting for you and wondering how your case was moving along. Your time has finally come and you can now run around "making a joyful noise". Congratulations! :dance: Hopefully, you will stick around more often and keep us updated on his adjustment (and also your re-adjustment).

[Kanyiri 0]

OMG!!!!! I cried when I was reading this (and I am not a crier)!!!! I'm SOO happy for you!!! You have been so persistent and so consistent with trying to get this visa. You have jumped through every hoop, dotted every i, and crossed every t. And through it all you always seemed to keep a hopeful spirit. I am SOO Happy everything is finally falling into place! It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

I wish you and your family the best in AMERICA!!!! YAY!!!!

[onwa 6]

I am SO HAPPY for you. Congratulations. It has been such a long journey, but you never gave up! Happy and safe travels.

[sara..... 371]

i want to give u a huge heart felt congratulations :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

[LovinLiberia 0]

OMG!!!!! I cried when I was reading this (and I am not a crier)!!!! I'm SOO happy for you!!! You have been so persistent and so consistent with trying to get this visa. You have jumped through every hoop, dotted every i, and crossed every t. And through it all you always seemed to keep a hopeful spirit. I am SOO Happy everything is finally falling into place! It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

I wish you and your family the best in AMERICA!!!! YAY!!!!

[soon~tobe 0]

Congrats!!!

you might want to check with ministrytravel.com

I have used them a couple times, including me being in america and buying a ticket for a 3rd party in Uganda. They always seemed willing to work with me.