Thanks for staying with me as I conclude our story, which believe it or not is slightly abbreviated. If there was no editing it would have easily turned into 10+ posts. If you are just joining the journey catch up on what you missed in part 3.
The day before our flight was scheduled to leave my husband spent the entire day at the passport office trying to get an officer to sign off on the reprint. He was told to come back at 5:30 and in the back of his mind he thought no way would it actually happen and started doubting that we would actually make our flight.
The kids and I hung out at the hotel all day and I didn’t have any update from my husband. So I just kept the prayers coming, because I had no idea what the scenario would be. I most certainly put into practice in a new way, pray without ceasing from 1 Thessalonians.
Our last day in Ghana.
Finally, as I was getting the boys ready for bed my husband returned as a bearer of great news! He was given the new passport!! It may have been the 59th minute but we had it!! In addition he strolled my suitcase through the door!! I about leapt out of my skin! I went to bed that night feeling refreshed, clean and hopeful we would get the visa in time.
The next day my husband headed to the embassy. Thankfully our flight wasn’t departing until later that night, so we had all day to try and get the visa. While my husband was at the embassy I started packing just in case we would be going to the airport that evening. Of course I also continued to pray like crazy!!
We were so grateful that the U.S. Embassy was more than accommodating. They assured my husband we would have the visa in time for our flight that evening and they didn’t let us down! Two hours before we had to be at the airport we finally received the visa and now had everything in place to make the flight back to the United States!! I can’t explain the weight lifted from my shoulders when I heard the news and I knew God’s hand was on us.
I had been prepping the boys throughout the day about the flight, the weather and everything our travels would entail. So Kolbe got dressed in all the warm winter clothes I had packed for him, including a winter hat. He insisted on wearing it all to the airport even in the Ghana heat, while stuck in traffic with no a/c. Needless to say sweat started pouring down his face.
I will never forget their expressions as we walked outside to stand before the large plane we were about to board. They were so, so excited to be on a real airplane that they only slept the first 8 hours of our total time of 16 hours in flight. I on the other hand would have taken the extra hours to sleep, especially after hardly sleeping at all while we were in Ghana.
The boys did amazing on the flights, absolutely AMAZING!!! In my book it’s a miracle how well the travel went. I had packed a lot to keep them busy, well fed and to hold off tears. They just loved all of the buttons and the little TV screens they had in front of them. Simply mesmerized by being on an airplane.
Our last flight was only an hour. The flight attendant asked if this was the boys first flight, no actually this is their third within 24 hours! She gave them each a pin and some candy and did they ever deserve it. They most definitely earned their wings that day!
I just love a happy ending. And it’s really just the beginning!
Prayers answered! So true, the story just began.
The first time I went to Ghana I also traveled in January from Ghana to upstate NY. I was just a teenager, so I guess I was foolish, but I traveled in flip flops, so, yea I was walking in snow in flip flops when I arrived.
Traveling on a plane for such a long flight can be so tough with young ones. They really have no concept of the time and when they can anticipate to be able to move. What a blessing they did well, but it totally makes sense that they were so excited with everything in their life as brand new.
I would love to read an epilogue about how they did when they very first arrived in America and Wisconsin! I’m sure everything was just overwhelmingly new.
Great idea, thanks for the suggestion! They were and still are definitely amazed and overwhelmed by everything new.
What an exciting journey! I’m curious about how you communicated with the boys when you met. Did they already speak some English? How did they react to seeing you and your husband and leaving Ghana?