Yay!

So Wednesday we had our filing appointment at the embassy.  We took in a large stack of paperwork for them to go through.  It contained things like the court order, investigation, birth certificate, immigration paperwork... all sorts of not exciting stuff.  Everything looked good so we left to eat lunch and returned two and a half hours later for the interview.  We had a moment of stress when we had finished our end of the interview and her relatives hadn't shown up for their turn.  Luckily, the man interviewing us was very friendly and let us go make some phone calls.  Come to find out, they were almost there and Justine's caretaker had been in the hospital so it was a challenge for Mark to find her.  Poor lady- she is so weak and frail.  Mark told her "We need you ONE more time.  This is it and you will be done." Their interviews must have went well because when they were done, we were called back in so the guy could tell us to return Friday for the visa.  He also said not to make travel plans yet just in case, but it's too late for that!

Fast forward to today...

We have the visa!  We will be home in just THREE short-ish days.  Jumping for joy today and praying our friends will be able to leave with their three little girls VERY soon.  It's looking like next weekend for them.

Today we also went to the craft market to buy some goodies to bring home.  We found Justine an original, black and white painting of two lions.  It is too big to fit in our suitcase so they had to remove the canvas from its wooden frame so it could be rolled up.  I'm very excited to display it in her bedroom which is mostly black, white, and purple.  We also grabbed a couple small drums, more paper beaded necklaces and an African print dress for Justine.  The moment the women in the shop knew we were going to buy her a dress, she was swarmed with women and dresses of all patterns, styles, and colors.  It was very overwhelming!  She just kept saying YES!  No... no... Yes!  Yes!  No..... on and on.  Finally, when I was pleased with her choice of a pretty blue print dress, she changed her mind and chose a not so pretty black and greenish- mustardy looking one.  I guess if she will wear it and like it, that is what matters.  She will have to wear it with a sweater at home anyway!