Cross Cultural Orientation: Reflecting

I apologize if this is super long! I'm not even sure if I did this right... but, this is my first video blog! I hope you like it!
Love,
Alex

Hello Again!

I thought an update was overdue.  Well this is where I am so far in the Bulgaria process:

I discovered that I needed a Birth Certificate to apply for a visa, but the inconvenient truth is, I don't have one. It went missing in the midst of one of many moves, so I had to apply for a new one.  Unfortunately, I was born on an Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, so in order to replace it, I had to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which is $50 and a 4-8 week process :( Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! I did the money order thing since they only take certain forms of payment and I wrote out a request with all the information I was told to give, copied my license, and I got the request signed and notarized and mailed it in, and guess what I found out? I don't need it anymore hahaha. But hey, at least now I'll have a birth certificate right?

Next step, FBI Background check! I think this is to help prove to the Bulgarian consulate people that I do not have a history of criminal behavior, therefore, I will probably not be bad for Bulgaria. Well this process is all paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, too! Money orders only, fingerprinting at the Police Dept., forms and prepaid envelopes and priority mail shipping. But it is done and sent in! It should get back to me in 4 to 8 weeks (hopefully only 4) and then I have to mail it to another place to get apostilled which could be another several weeks! 

Talk about overwhelming huh? 

Thank goodness Jessica Morris is in the states! She is a Bulgarian Missionary working with Vera and I to get us there. She brought us letters from the Bulgarian Church of the Nazarene saying that they want us to come as well as Official government documents saying that the Nazarene Church is in good standing with the Bulgarian government. This along with some more documents from Zhana (she is the wonderful woman in Bulgaria who is leading us in the work we will be doing), is necessary to get a visa! When Vera and I have all these forms and documents compiled along with $150 and 2 passport photos, then we will be able to take the trip up to Washington D.C. to go to the Bulgarian consulate in person to turn these in to get our visas! Jessica gave us so much advice and information about this process- we were so grateful. We were told to dress professionally and to be mindful of the time that we go. Apparently they are only open on certain days of the week from 9:30am to 12:30pm, so we must be very mindful about respecting these hours. 

I'm so desperate to just be there already. But I have much more preparing to do. There is more to preparation than just doing the paperwork and raising the money. I know that I must allow God to prepare me spiritually and emotionally for the work He has in mind for me. I must learn to see people as He does and to Love them as He always has. Pray for me and for Vera as well, that we may be receptive to His teaching. Thank you dearest friends for being a part of this story. May we be mutually encouraging, praying for strength for one another always.

Love,

Alexandria A.