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Well, the last I wrote had to do with visas for the students from the Dominican Republic. We're still in limbo on that one. Information has been sent, names and numbers faxed, and we're still awaiting word about a meeting with a "diputado" (legislator) who might be able to help us. At the very least, the students there reapplied for their visas, and this time received permission to come for 3 months, but not until April. Our last two students arrive today, from Panama and Nicaragua. Classes will officially begin tomorrow, although informal training, organization, and activities to get to know people has been going on for more than a week.



We did find a 25-passenger bus for Institute use, and it's already passed the test by going to Panama and back! We took our students there for the International School of Youth Ministry, and subsequently the International Youth Conference, both in conjunction with Christ In Youth. It was a tremendous time of service, learning, and bonding for the group. It's good to be back in San Jose, though, as Panama was quite hot.


We ourselves, the King family, have a bit of a speed bump to deal with at the present time. On Friday last I went for our next appointment at the immigration office. I'm not sure I wrote about the last appointment, when they scheduled me for a follow-up visit -- on a Sunday! That kind of gives you an idea of what the system is like here, when they stamp your paper with a date that isn't even a working day for them! If that didn't alert me, the word "rechazado" (rejected) written in ink should have tipped me off. But I asked them as I left, more than once, "When should I come?" They told me I could come on Friday or Monday, my choice. "And this word here, "rechazado," should I be worried about that?" No, by no means should you be alarmed. Just come for your next appointment." At my next appointment, last Friday, I received six official notices of our application for residency in Costa Rica rejected. And they were right, I didn't have any reason to be alarmed or worried, as it wouldn't have helped anyway! Our next step is to consult with an immigration lawyer (I thought we did that when we started, hmmm.) and file an appeal. After that, who knows? Shouldn't I just say, "Everything is going to be alright?"