getting a Visa to U.A. People at the church partnership Njoro (Kenya, Nakuru County) Orphan and Vulnerable Children applied for a Visa (circa 2012). All were denied except the one who got to travel (Jefemiah).
Cking In Kim and Stan,
I confess I have only periodically read your writings. Just know that every time your names showed up in my email a thought and prayer went out to you!!! I am so glad for your rich and meaningful year of service and gifts given and received. I love you both!
Emily-- Kim I am sorry for the loss of your dad. Not sure the exact date that happened. My life is very mom-centric right now with her health up and down.
there is more to the story? Stan, in my humble opinion there are more threads to discover here. I believe that the human mind has a universal weakness in fear, which is often transformed into hatred and anger. In the modern world, these feelings can be easily amplified by quick and powerful internet communication, also increasingly universal. What is different in the US and in some other places is the ready and cheap supply of weapons, allowing for people to act upon their hatred more publicly. Why do the American people tolerate this? I believe it's because of the role of the gun in the cultural stories of America -- people believe that the country was built by physical courage and the stories of our country reflect this -- the Revolution, the Wild West, the lone hero. The shooters such as the person in Charleston are trying o recreate that myth by becoming heroes against 'the other.' I had a harder time of getting how this played out in Sandy Hook CT -- who has to show heroism against first graders?! -- but I think that is the way that fear is being expressed. And the reason that people tolerate guns and the NRA rules is that there is an inability to take the gun out of the American story. As a former social studies teacher, I grieve how our history is taught. I reflect a lot on the blog post about how Cubans know the WORDS of their history. US students learn very few words of the American story beyond a few sound bites, and words are the only antidote to guns. We need to find a way to teach the American story so that it is more rich, more generous, more diverse, and more strong in the ideas of the nation. We can't get rid of the gun stories in the culture without having something to replace them with. I think that the Cuban culture has valued and retained its full history so much better. Thanks for writing.
Visa denials They are hostile to Cubans all the time with the sole exception of political dissidents, who do get their visas all the time.
I am a naturalized US citizen with permanent residence status in Havana, so I filed a petition to bring my brother over to the US and they claim to have forwarded the case to the National Visa Center, which in turns assures me that they are unable to locate my brother's case. Unbelievable!! I also spoke with my congressional representative, but I would like to complain to the State Department, too, if such a thing were possible.
Don't give up. Keep trying, and welcome back in the U.S.A. We need you here! It's a very long story, but after two years, beginning right after 9/11, and three failed attempts, I finally did get a visa for a Tartar/Russian with a Muslim name. I learned, too, that no politician can overturn a visa decision, ever, not even a senior senator from the ruling party. That's a hallowed agency policy; however, if you start lobbying through politicians and whatever others might carry some weight six months BEFORE your friends even submit applications, you stand a chance. You're facing a hierarchy where no is hugely safer than yes as a default answer, so no one will stick his neck out without an advance notice from the top that your case is an exception. Having been shown the door three times as unceremoniously as your friends, on the forth time the receptionist handed my friend his visa before he even sat down.
Frustration Thanks Stan for telling the whole story. It sounds like there is a sliver of hope. I too am mystified about the harsh treatment and decision at the very time US-Cuba relations are finally thawing. I am sorry McHenry's office was unable to overturn the decision. My cousin in Alabama has a daughter who was planning to marry a young man from Scotland this summer, and when he arrived in the US he too was mistreated and sent back to Scotland wreaking all kinds of havoc. One of my German farmer friends has agreed to let them work on his farm for a few months so they can be together. My son Doug flew to Istanbul to visit his brother there, and was severely interrogated before his flight left from Boston, thinking that he might be joining ISIS!! Strange times for sure.
Tears of joy and sorrow As I read this tears are flowing down my cheeks. I think it is a mixed bag of tears. Tears of joy flow for me that we will soon be reunited. I have missed you so! Years of sorrow as I can feel your grief as you prepare to leave this place that for the last 10 months you have called home. Tears of pride flow because I am so proud of the way you have both lived into Gods calling. Tears of thanksgiving for the love that flows from you to us across the ocean. God speed mi Tia and Tio! I can't wait to see you!
Anxious I have really enjoyed your and Kim's Blogs, but I am really looking forward to hearing the many stories first hand next week. I am planning on coming to Dave's Wednesday and bringing you home Thursday. Is that correct? Can't wait. Love to you both, J
Recycling war Kim, your beautiful reflection reminded me of pictures I saw from friends after the Vietnam war: casings from land mines being used as planters for flowers and made into prosthetic legs for children who lost theirs to mine blasts. I cheer any effort to recycle the stuff of life into things of beauty and friendship and peace. Thank you. --Joyce
Bittersweet Kim and Stan, I know the next couple of weeks will be bittersweet for you. You are probably already feeling the bitterness of all the goodbyes that need to be said as you prepare to leave the land you love (but will return soon, that I am sure of). Sweet as you look forward to the homecoming to all of us who have missed you so much. I have enjoyed all the blogs from you and Stan and really look forward to a lot of back porch sitting and listening to all the stories you are bringing back. Love you much, Bro Jerry.
USA and Cuba Thanks for your thoughtful piece. Appalachia and Cuba have a lot in common. And regarding USA and Cuba, the first could easily be last, and the last first! Thinking of you all! John
nostalgia Stan,
Not likely to return to Mantanzas to get the full breath of nostalgia with a Marti book in hand. But next best was reading your blog. Inspite of my couple of trips to Cuba, I didn't get it --- how present Marti still is in Cuban consciousness. Miss you. Thanks for the card recently. And both of you are present with me daily during our common practice. Mahan
Kim You are so amazing. Sometimes I forget just what a marvel you are and how blessed I am to know you. Then I am reminded... and it turns out that you are even greater than I already knew :)
Miss you, take care, see you soon!
Grateful Stan and Kim, I am grateful that you are sharing this experience with us. Peacemakers, indeed. Thoughts and prayers to you and our Brothers and Sisters there.
Doooglas
thanks Stan, thanks for such a full capture of the various responses to Obama's action. You put me there. I'm sure we will hear more at the Alliance mtg. Excited about seeing Paco. You and Kim are prayerfully present to me each morning during our the practice we share.
Thanks for the report Stan, thanks for this report. We are coming again to Cuba this summer. By, the way, it is snowing as I write this in Fairview, big fluffy flakes. Frazier Worth
We are excited to have the opportunity to spend 10 months in Cuba. We began traveling to Cuba in the 1990s, and have made many good friends. This trip will enable us to deepen those friendships. In the fall, we will be teaching in the Ecumenical Seminary in Matanzas, Kim teaching English and Drama, and Stan teaching Leadership and Teambuilding. The rest of the year we will lead workshops and retreats, dividing our time between the Kairos Center in Matanzas, Molina Verde (the FIBAC finca) in Guanabacoa, and visits with churches across the island. ... full info
Gerrr
Isabelle
Cuba to NYC
Brilliantly written. I can relate. The adjustment coming back to NYC has been brutal. Thanks for sharing!