Day 5 - Progress!

Another good day in Kinshasa. We were promised the birth certificate at 9 am today at the Tribunal (court). We arrived at 9, and it was apparently done, but needed copies, certification, notary, etc. so we sat in the car for about 2 1/2 hours. But, finally, we got the documents, and rushed down to the passport place. On the way, Francis called the guy in charge of issuing passports for Congo, and he was waiting for us. When we arrived, the place was vacating, apparently there was a funeral for some official. So, basically it was just Michael & Francis, and the guy in charge of issuing passports and his assistant. God's timing in getting us there, to an otherwise empty building, so they could focus just on this situation was impeccable. We were able to pay an expediting fee, and with that, they have promised us a passport tomorrow. The assistant actually went through all the steps with us, to the bank to pay, in the car with us (6 in a Honda CR-V) to the fingerprint place, etc. He is a diplomat, so he gets to visit New York annually to go to the UN, and he speaks some english, so he was quite pleasant to talk to. With the passport, hopefully around noon tomorrow, we can go to the doctor, and finish the medical, then all should be done in time for the interview Monday afternoon. It sounds like they have begun some of the investigation into our case already, so hopefully next week will be expedited as well. Enoch continues to be very funny. He has a bit of a cold, so we gave him some Robatussin this am, and it knocked him out pretty good today. However, there was plenty of time to take so many more self portraits, and view all the (1,000+) photos on the iphone. (he and I were in the car for about 4-5 hours today). He is working very hard on his english, and doing well, He advised us today that he knows how to cook and sew - both very well. We got a working power converter today, so there was much joy when the DS was able to be recharged (Enoch to get the DS, Michael to get his iPad back). He has found his appetite. Francis said he is used to eating Kwanga which is very heavy in your stomach but has no nutritional value. Our regular food feels much ligher in your stomach, so it seems you need to eat more. We will have to work on all this. Kinshasa is an interesting place, they are working on the road by our compound, and earlier this week had the power cut for 48 hours. Today they took out a big piece of water pipe late in the day, so we have no running water! Who knows when that will be back. They are getting ready to take out the bridge near here to expand it - that will be a real carmageddon. I am leaving here on Saturday, flight out at 2pm Congo time (6am PST). Through Ethiopia, Rome, DC, Minneapolis and into John Wayne. It will be sad to leave here, although it will be good to be home. Enoch overheard us talking about it, and is asking what is going on. We have explained as best we can in our mixed up languages, will have Francis clarify tomorrow so he is not concerned. The Colonels whose home we are staying in return from South Africa next week, and they have been kind enough to let Michael & Enoch stay on in their guest room until they depart. Michael & Enoch are booked for a flight out on Sunday 10/9, same routing, that gets them into John Wayne Monday evening 10/10. All in all, things have gone well. I don't know that anything goes easily here, but it has been great to see God work in his timing as things lay out in order ahead of us. Please continue to pray for the passport to arrive as promised, and that the Consultate will not have any issues in the documents or their investigation. Our contact there continues to go way above and beyond to help us, which has been really wonderful. We look forward to seeing you soon, Love, Joanna & Michael Nate & Davina - good call on Yard House with Patrick & Allie, that sounds so good right now! Sounds like you are doing very well, I look forward to seeing you in a few days then we can get ready for the big welcome when Dad comes home with Enoch - hooray! We love you & miss you very much!!