Thede Connection- HAITI/Zambia: Another immigration office trip

On Friday we received a surprising rejection of Cory's application for a two year work permit because he did not include a copy of his Michigan State University diploma.

Our Friday trip didn't happen as our teacher changed plans.

Once he was awake Eli spent a few hours looking for Cory's diploma but it was not located.

A replacement diploma will take 4-6 weeks to obtain, too long for Cory's appeal as he was only given one week, and if you don't appeal you forfeit the right to an appeal.

The application request was for 'work qualifications' so we assumed that his official transcript would be enough, on which it states that he completed the requirements for his degree.

Guys showing the length of the python below.

We were wrong, therefore on the advice of Bishop Judan we travel to Lusaka on Monday so we could arrive at Immigration early on Tuesday.

The Bishop met us at the church office; we made sure we had all of the paperwork and then went to Immigration.

A couple hours later, having waited at 8 different spots, going up and down stairs, returning to a couple spots..we were told we needed to return on Wednesday as permission was needed from a supervisor who was not present and a clerk was also needed.

So we dropped the Bishop off at the office and headed to a tourist spot, Kalimba Reptile Park for a late lunch.

We learned about indigenous snakes, tortoises, and Nile crocodiles.

They started farming in 1985, the first place in the world to integrate crocodile farming with aquaculture.

We enjoyed a crocodile burger as well as some of the beef also raised at the park.

Then we headed to the hotel for some rest before returning to Immigration the next day.

First at the office both Cory's appeal and Kris' application were submitted.

Kris' application and payment had gotten stuck due to internet issues but on Tuesday that was cleared up so her's could be submitted.

At Immigration, Cory and the Bishop made sure that everything was correct and in place for our applications, appeal, and for us to leave Zambia next week.

The committee should be meeting today, Thursday Feb. 23 to decide and we hope to hear by Friday.

Depending on the results we may need to visit Immigration again on Monday before leaving, hopefully to pick up both Kris' and Cory's two year work permits or at least Kris'.

If I get my permit and Cory doesn't, then we can put both Cory and Fritz under mine. Then once we replace Cory's MSU diploma we can reapply for his work permit.

Cory, unable to find and buy just pineapple tops to plant in the garden, bought lots of slightly damaged pineapples for a discounted price (about 60 cents each) and then blessed our neighbors after removing the tops.