Big Disappointment

My last post talked about my visitors coming. It turned into A visitor coming. Grab a cup of whatever and let me tell you what happened.A week before my mom and Auntie Ruby were to come to visit me in Ghana, Mom called the Ghana Embassy to see where her passport and visa were. She sent it in 5 weeks previous. They told her she did not send the correct envelope for them to return it. That very day she FedExed the correct envelope and they confirmed that they got it. That was a week before her departure. She called the office almost everyday because they were able to track the envelope through the post office to see where it was and the tracking did not start. She said some days she was on the phone on hold for 40 minutes and then was disconnected. She said people told her they would send it. The few days before she was supposed to leave she was so anxious and frustrated.This was one of those experiences where you have no control. There is nothing you can do but pray. I had many people praying on this side of the world and of course on Mom and Auntie Ruby's side too. And then...the time was gone. They saw that the day she was supposed to leave, the tracking number on the envelope still had not moved. That was a Thursday.It.was.heartbreaking. We have been planning for this for about 6 months. She had her suitcases packed and was ready to go. She took off time from work. She told everyone she would be going to Ghana.And then this. How do you cope with such disappointment? And granted, this is not like a life or death issue, but still. It was important to us. We cried on the phone. I was so angry at Ghana. Auntie Ruby, having lived in Ghana for more than 30 years, said immigration issues have always been difficult. You never know how they deal with paperwork or administration things. It was really like a punch in the gut. A couple teammates of mine who were really praying felt so assured that Mom would get her passport and she would be here. We were all shocked. Saddened.The next morning, I woke up and had peace. But, can I be honest and say, I did not want peace? I still wanted to be angry. I still wanted to be dramatic over the whole thing. My mom suffered with all the stress. And yet, God knew better. We may never know why this happened. But God says all things work together for the good of those who love God. We all love God. So, I guess we hold onto this. My mom also said a couple days later that her disappointment is healing. I thought that was a very lovely phrase.She canceled everything and is hoping with her travel insurance she can get a refund on her flight ticket. Sadness still remains. I was saving time to go on holiday with her. I wanted her to see my house and Tamale and meet my friends. I wanted to just be able to touch her and be in the same room! (sigh)...another time, I guess.BUT BUT BUT---Auntie Ruby was still able to come. She flew up to Tamale (that is a whole other story) and we had some fast paced days! She used to live even more north of me so we took a whirlwind trip for her to see her old friends. We were able to talk in the car, and actually we talked so much, we never bought water. We kept saying, "the next town, the next town we will buy" and then we would be laughing or deeply discussing and we would forget. Not the best thing in hot Africa but we are still alive :) She had a list of people to see and she caught every one! We made it to a missionary's home for dinner and a good rest by nightfall, but by 7am we were greeting someone else and heading back on the road for Tamale. Did I mention Auntie Ruby is 71 years old??? She runs circles around me and I thought I was pretty tough.We ate fufu, she met my friends, she had Rafia sew her a dress, we took yellow-yellow, we laughed, we prayed, we sweated (looks like rainy season is over), and we just had a ball. We called Mom to let her know we wished she was with us.Auntie Ruby was only able to stay a week, but a great week it was! Mom was supposed to have stayed another week and we were to hang out in Accra together. I am in Accra now...I almost want to hop a bus back to Tamale. But, I do need rest. There are a lot of friends I can visit and Accra is fine. It is just that, I had other ideas of what Accra was supposed to be like. (sigh)...I guess, another time.Through it all, I am thankful. I rest in God's goodness. People go through disappointments all the time, such is life. What a reminder to keep looking to our future hope. This time on earth is just a blink. Let us keep looking up.Love you.