Last week, we took Trekker and packed our suitcases for a quick trip to Suriname (for those of you old enough to remember, Suriname was formerly known as Dutch Guiana) to visit Elder and Sister Jansen in Paramarabo. The most important reason for our run to the border, however, was to get a stamp in our passports so we could once again be legal in Guyana. When we first arrived, immigration officers gave us 90 days to get our work permits – it has now been nearly ten months. We have asked three times for permission to travel out-of-country for this purpose . . . and have been turned down three times by leaders who reasoned our travel was “not necessary.” Last week, it suddenly became a crisis to everyone and we were ordered to make a mad dash for the border!!!Even though we had permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Guyana’s version of our Department of Homeland Security), the immigration officer at the ferry landing was hesitant – even snarky – to give me permission to cross while Dad / Ed got through without any problem (guess I must look like a drug smuggler). Finally, as the ferry was about to leave, he reluctantly stamped my passport, so we are legal again!
Unpleasant confrontations with immigration officers is one thing I will definitely not miss when we come home!Trekker had a great time in Suriname although it poured down rain the entire time we were there. Our traveling tiger fell in a mud puddle at one point and was soggy and wet for two days, but still enjoyed the little bit of sightseeing, a delicious lunch at a nice restaurant, shopping at the most beautiful grocery store he has seen since we left the U. S. and Family Home Evening at the home of a Suriname family.
1 comment:
Ohmigosh! The Surinamese family in that picture is the family I found during the last few weeks of my mission! They got baptized!? That is SO COOL! There's no better feeling than seeing this happen.
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