As the clock ticks down on our deadline, we have both good and bad news to report.  The good news is we’ve obtained our charity status and sent in our request for Bethania Chapel to become our sponsor.  The bad news is that the turnaround time for the sponsorship application can take up to eight weeks (which we don’t have).  That being the situation, we are prepared to pay the extra fee for the expedited service of two weeks, but even that step of the process is fraught with tangles.  To apply for the expedited service, we must be among the first 30 people to sign in and place the request.  The service goes online at 9:00 each weekday morning, and the 30 slots are filled within a couple of minutes.  We have tried, in vain, for the past several days to get in, but because so many people are trying to sign in to the system at once, the servers freeze up, and we can’t actually get into the system.  After a few minutes, we finally get in, only to see the notice that the 30 slots have been filled.  It is beyond frustrating!

So, that is where we stand currently.  The charity status is good.  The sponsorship application has been submitted.  If we can sign up for the priority service of two weeks and our sponsorship is approved, we then have to apply for a new visa under the new sponsorship.  It’s all just a matter of timing right now.  We have less than a month to resolve this situation, so your prayers are greatly appreciated!