Well, here it is, less than a week from Christmas, and we are still wondering . . . will there be presents at our house on the 25th? It is a very good thing that our family knows that presents are not the reason for celebrating Christmas. It also helps, that the kids are quite used to waiting for things, and they are content to receive their gifts a bit late, if necessary!
Here is the most recent info on the status of our Christmas shipment:
In the past, the agency which handles the paperwork for us has been willing to accept copies of our documents by email, and start processing everything. Then they would call Allen, and say, "Come on Thursday with the original documents, and we will be ready to release the shipment." However, the man we have worked with in the past has been promoted, and so we are working with someone new. Although we believed that our paperwork was being processed using the emailed documents, in fact, when Russell arrived on Tuesday and gave the agent the original documents, he said, "Okay, come back on Thursday or Friday, and we will have the shipment ready for release." Unfortunately, though, Russell had just driven 5 hours to get there, and he didn't really relish the thought of turning around and driving 5 hours home again. Diesel is really expensive right now, too.
We consulted with Allen, and the decision was made for Russell to stay in Puerto Cortes for the few (hopefully few) days until the paperwork will be completed. So, Russell is currently ensconced in an inexpensive hotel, watching ESPN and taking it easy. I don't think he minds this too much. ;-D Seriously, though, he is doing a great job; he even had to go to the bank and open a savings account for himself, so that he wouldn't be holding the cash (to pay for the customs) all week.
Each day, Russell is checking in with the agency, reminding them that he is there waiting, in case they might just have an opportunity to process our paperwork faster. So far, they haven't seemed inclined to hurry.
We are awaiting two shipments. One is a huge container from Maryland, and the other is a collection of cardboard boxes, from Florida. When the container is released, we have to wait for the trucking company to schedule a delivery to Gracias. I think it is unlikely that this will now occur before Christmas. However, once the boxes from Florida are released, Russell will be loading them into our vehicle and driving them back home. Our family Christmas gifts are in those boxes, so there is still a good chance that they will arrive before the end of the week.
Prayers appreciated!
4 comments:
Oh, good! Perhaps you will have your presents by then.
I know kids get to an age where they can understand waiting a few days, but Christmas is so much fun w/ a few things to open, IYKWIM...
How are things going with Russell in Puerto Cortes? He is daily in my prayers. I am asking for the redtape to be minimal and for Russell to have favor with the authorities. I think of you all often as I go through my day and as I try to prepare spiritually for Jesus' birth. I hope you have a very Merry Feliz Navidad!
Love Beth Webb
You are a very patient family, indeed. Hope they make it!
The update on Russell is: we're still waiting, and hoping that tomorrow will be the day the shipments are released. If not, with the weekend and the holiday, things will get difficult.
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