A great day today! Well, maybe not to the Hungarians that live around us. :) But we returned to the Hungarian Immigration Office today to pick up our Residence Permit. We had started the renewal process back in October. In the picture above, that's Curt with our Hungarian friend, Julianna, that helped us submit our papers. She was terrific! Knew exactly how to navigate the Hungarian system and to get all our documents in order. In the background of the picture is the Immigration Building. Quite an experience to observe that whole operation!
We were hoping for at least a 2 year extension to our permit but had ambitiously asked for 5 years. Why not? Maybe they would give it to us. We are happy to report that we did get a TWO YEAR extension which is still very good. Recently, some missionaries had only gotten a year. So, we are legal to stay in Hungary until January 3, 2010.
Some of that time of our extension we will be in the states for several months. We are returning in mid-May for several months to get Olivia in college in the fall and to address several other personal things that have come up in the 4 years we have been overseas. But it will be good to know that we can easily return to Hungary if God leads us back to live here again. We plan to stay in the states at least through the end of this year and some into 2009. Then, we're asking God to direct us where to go next. Stay in the states permanently? Return to Budapest? Live overseas on a part time basis? Your prayers for our decisions are needed! Thank you for praying with us. We will keep you updated on how things progress.
