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Tamyra Crossley's
Romanian Report
April 2003
Hello Everyone:
I am sorry I am just now getting to update everyone.
We have been absolutely inundated with paperwork and trying to play catch-up!
The Romanian Bureaucrats have once again, changed the requirements for visa
renewal and you would not believe how this has complicated our life.
We have literally spent days and days trying to meet their requirements.
On top of the regular long list of requirements, they now require a physical
exam for each member of the family, proof of insurance, a detailed paper listing
both Brian and my job descriptions and all the excursions and training, etc
we have done with the children since the last visa renewal. Oh and an additional
paper from the mayor’s office stating that I do not get paid for my job.
(On the one hand I have to justify my staying, by proving I have a job, and
am doing something productive, then, in the same application, have another
paper proving I have no salary, even though I have a job!) Go figure,
I give up trying to figure it out. To make matters worse, we finally
got all the papers together and they said we need yet another paper.
When I asked what paper and where I need to go to get it, their response was
we don’t know, we’ll call you. We are now, because of all their requirements,
behind on our visas and will have to pay a fine. To say this process
has been frustrating is a major understatement! All of our Romanian
friends have assured us that they make their life difficult too, so it’s not
just us! That’s some consolation, I guess :).
I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the states.
It was so good to see friends again and spend some time with our family.
Our flight home was a mixture of aching for the family you are leaving behind
and anxiousness at the family you are soon to see. After a very
long flight, we were very happy to finally get home. We arrived late
at the airport, had a 2 ½ drive to Bran and arrived home about 2:30 AM to
lots of snow. We were disappointed that the van we rented couldn’t make
it up the hill and had to walk the last trek of the trip, hauling our luggage
with us. As we rounded the last corner, we were happy to see the house
lights on and surprised to see that all the children were up, awaiting our
arrival. Our arms were not long enough to embrace all the hugs and I
couldn’t guess how many kisses I received. What a thrilling welcome!
The children had blown up balloons and had a banner hanging that read "welcome
home" in English. We didn’t attempt to go to bed until about 4:00 AM
and several just stayed up all night, since it was almost morning.
Overall, the children did much better than we anticipated during our absence,
but we have had some adjustments and set-backs with a few of them.
We have begun to have church services in our home (we are
looking for a location to rent) and have had two coming (besides our immediate
family) on a regular basis. The children are learning and growing and
have really enjoyed this and we are looking forward to the blessings the Lord
has in store.
We have been informed that the Landlord is returning from
Canada and
will need their home (the one we are currently renting). They have not
given us a specific date and we are hoping to have at least several months
before we have to leave. In the interest of expedience we are looking into
the possibility of purchasing an existing home (that is in good enough condition
to live in) and then remolding and adding on, to suit our needs. We
do know that obtaining all the permits, legal papers and following through
on a new construction project, is going to be an extremely complicated process
here in Romania.
It is very unlikely, that even with the best case scenario it would be ready
to move into by the time we have to move and that delay would mean another
temporary move for the children and more high rent (not to mention months
of looking). The children desperately need a permanent home and the
stability that goes with that. We are hoping that the funds we currently
have could purchase something and that in time, we would have the funds
needed to remodel. Please pray that the Lord would show us what he would
have us to do.
The weather has finally started to warm up and the children
have been thrilled to run and play outdoors again. Nico just had
her cast removed (she broke her leg while we were in the states) and is thrilled
to be more mobile again. I couldn’t see that the cast slowed her down much
(she could get around better on one foot, than most can on two). I daily
would have my heart skip a beat as she would descend the stairs three at a
time (hoping on one foot!) I would exclaim, Nico please........ don’t
do that, you are giving me a heart attack! She would look at me like
she just didn’t understand why this bothered me so much. Her nickname
is monkey and the name certainly fits! If we could just channel all
that energy, she could do something great :).
I would like to say a special thank you to Jane Byers and
all the churches involved for the crate you sent at Christmas. The goods
have finally been able to be disbursed and will benefit so many lives.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and sacrifice.
Love to all,
Tamyra
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