Trip to Belize

We had to make an emergency trip to Belize this past Sunday, 12th. We have been working on getting our residency papers turned in and starting the process for about two weeks now. This is a long process and requires many different kinds of forms. We thought we had all of it ready and were told we had all of it ready...but the day of we found out that we did not have it ready. We were late in leaving the country because every 90 days the visa for Guatemala expires and you have to leave. We talked to them and to stay and pay the fine was cheaper than paying to travel to another country. So we decided to stay and pay the fine. Once you are in the process for residency you do not have to leave. So we find out Friday that we are missing three papers that are all in the States!! These papers were not listed on the requirements; therefore, we did not have them. So because our visa had expired we had to leave the country. This is a SHORT version of what happened...having to return to the capital the same Friday after leaving the capital to get the papers to be able to leave for Belize and then later that NIGHT, after we were home, finding out that the immigration office made a mistake and had Brandi's passport at their office in the capital, 4 hours from us and we had to have it to leave the country on Sunday...but God was very merciful and gave us strength to make it to the next day. We had to take a 1 1/2 or 2 hour boat ride along the shore of the ocean to get to Belize with all the kids with us. And then we had to stay 2 nights and come back the third day to Guatemala to get another 90 day visa. They gave us a lot of mumbo chumpo at the border entering Belize and tried to get us to get our entry and exit stamps and go back that same day and not have to stay the night! Tempting!! Very tempting but we found out later that it is a requirement from Guatemala to leave for three days to get the visa so praise the Lord we stayed! We were able to relax somewhat. Belize seems to be more run down than Guatemala where we were, but it was cleaner and they speak English!! And they had real MILK!!!! I got to drink real milk like in the States!! Trip well worth it!! We made it home safely, praise the Lord, and have time to get the papers from the States to get our residency. The trip ended up cost like $460!!! The very reason we want our residency so we don't have to go spend a lot of money that we do NOT have to leave and come back! That trip alone cost more than one of the kids' residency and only $40 cheaper than Brandi's or my residency. So a little stressful but got through it all and are still kicking! We are just trusting the Lord for the money to finish out the month and keep going. He is so very faithful and knows what we need way before we figure it out and already has prepared it all in advance! Looking back only strengthens our faith and trust that He will continue to provide and accomplish His purposes here in Guatemala because looking ahead only makes us stress and worry! Haha We got today, praise the Lord! So thought I'd fill you in on this weeks adventure. There you go.

Daniel