Visa & Permit Paperwork

I finally got all my paperwork for my visa & work permit together! I had to get my bachelors degree, TEFL certification, background check, medical check, and passport copies. Sounds easy right? Nope! I had to get all the copies notarized. Sounds easy, but when no one can tell you what you need to do it becomes complicated. So I first went to the bank to get them notarized. Well a notary just authenticates your signature. I didn't have anything to sign, they are all copies of documents in my possession. So the bank said they didn't know what I was supposed to do. Next I went to a friend of mine who is a notary (I should have went to her first but I was at the bank and thought I would give it a try). She put her seal on all the documents and signed them. That's what they said I needed.  

Next step was to get them certified by the county clerk. Easy, other than having to drive downtown (which I hate btw). I get to the county clerk office and they say she was supposed to notarized my signature. So again I ask, what am I supposed to sign??? Then they tell me I need a letter of acknowledgement that I sign along with the notary (why did no one mention this in the first place?). So I had to go back to my friend and she helped me make these letters and then we signed them and I headed back to the county clerk office. Thank the Lord they could certify all the documents, I only had to write in the expiration date. I paid $30 and they certified the notary of the documents. So now I have the certified and notarized documents. Am I done? No. 

Next I had to go to the capital, Frankfort, to the Secretary of State to get the documents authenticated. So I made the 40 minute drive to Frankfort and parked at the capital building to go to the S.O.S. to get the apostille (authentication) of the documents. Thankfully this went really smoothly and everyone I encountered was super nice! I paid another $30 for the state to add their document and seal to each set of my documents.

And after 5 hours of driving and talking to different people and parts of the governments I finally have all the paperwork done for my visa! All my documents are notarized, certified, and authenticated! Now I just have to get there! Countdown is at 7 days!!! *silently screaming on the inside*

Asia Bound

Well it's official, I purchased my plane ticket today! I am headed out on July 14th from Cincinnati and will arrive at my destination on the 15th. I am scheduled for exactly 24 hours of travel! Definitely not looking forward to that, but super excited about beginning this awesome adventure!  God is doing amazing things. I can't wait to see all that he continues to do these next two weeks and after that.

Now is the time to beginning getting everything together for travel. I have to get my documents notarized(county-level), then certified(city-level),  and then authenticated(state-level). Lots of work to get a work permit, but I am praying that it will go smoothly once I get there! I don't want anything to happen like last time! I also just sent my flight details and passport info to get my entry visa! It's so exciting and fast! These two weeks are going to fly by :(. 

I am also having to pack all these books! I am so thankful for all the donations of books! The children are going to be so blessed with the opportunity to read some awesome books. I did find out that each box I take is going to cost $200. So I am praying God will provide the funds necessary to send these books. He has already provided half of the funding so I know he will provide the rest :).  

I just want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. This would never be possible without your prayers and support. Thank you!!! If you have any prayer requests please let me know!

TeachBeyond Orientation

I am so glad i had the opportunity to attend the TeachBeyond Orientation at Wheaton College. I was so nervous at first, but once I got there it was amazing. Everyone was so nice and by the end of the week we were so sad to say goodbye. 

It was so amazing to meet other people doing the same thing I am doing. I have a lot of people who are supporting me at home, but I am the only one going abroad. So it was so awesome to meet other people doing the exact same thing as me. They may be going to other countries but there was a bond between us that can never be broken. We are TeachBeyond Family. 

Also at orientation I learned so much about TeachBeyond. It has been around for 60+ years but only called TeachBeyond for the last 6 years. Before it was TeachBeyond it was called Janz Team. Also they have schools in over 40 countries now! How awesome is that!!! They have missionaries all over the globe sharing the gospel! It just so amazing! I also learned more about the mission and vision. I knew it was about transformational education, but what does that really mean. George Durance said it so eloquently that I will never do it justice. But we are all about transformational education where the people are changed by Jesus and as they are changed they begin a change in their world. 

I could go on and on about all the things I learned this week, but to be honest I might bore you. :) I also met some amazing people that are going all around the globe. We have already made plans to see each other and go on adventures during school holidays! It is so cool how in one week I met so many people that have become family! God is doing amazing things and I can't wait to hear about the things He is doing around the globe!