Given the current positive vibe flowing on this thread, I think this is an ideal time to post my update. I was reluctant to give my update at a earlier date, because I thought the initial response to Atclarke's update wasn't that welcoming. And I never wanted to post an update to be greeted with what I would classify as negativity. With that aside, here's my update:
For those of you who may remember some of my earlier posts, you would recall that my wife was pregnant, and at the time of my first posting I said I had already applied for a TRV earlier this year and my application was refused. I made it known in the forum that I would try again, some advised me that it was next to impossible unless I had over the top assets etc. I was encouraged by most of the members here so I appreciated that. I did apply the 2nd time for a TRV in October and after 8 days I received an email stating that once again it was refused. When I told my wife she broke down in tears. Our hearts' desire was for me to be there when she gives birth to our first child. Also based on the published processing times we felt that our sponsorship application would take a long time, so we thought a TRV was the only way for me to be there for the birth. So we kept trying. We decided that we would try a 3rd time to see if they would have compassion on us and grant me the TRV since this was the 3rd time I was applying in 4 months. I even went ahead and bought a non-refundable roundtrip plane ticket to show that I had the funds to effect my departure and that we really needed this TRV and that we were putting our faith to the test. Eleven days after our 3rd and final TRV application we once again got a refusal letter. We had written our hearts out in these TRV applications, being as transparent, truthful and providing all the evidence that we possibly could. We were devastated.
This time I was more devastated than my wife. I am known to be an optimist and a man of faith, but this the third time of paying 3 separate TRV application fee and purchasing a non-refundable plane ticket to go with the 3rd application- I was at a loss for words. I asked God what is the meaning of this? I was very upset with God because I believed I had done all I could do and I felt He never did His part (I had a moment of weakness). I decided I would cancel the plane ticket and use the available credit to fly to the US to clear my head. However, low and behold, the airline did not fly direct from Jamaica to the US, so I was stuck, as I was not about to spend more money on another ticket to fly to the US. This was God's way of preventing me from leaving the island at this crucial hour. After I decided to stop praying about the situation and gave up ... about a week or so after the 3rd refusal letter I woke up one morning feeling empty and down and I decided to check ECAS ... And there they were, the two words that signaled the beginning of a miracle: “In Process”. They had begun the processing of my application on November 12, 2014. I thought it was a glitch. Even after seeing it I was like, this must be a mistake, this is way too early in the process... so I checked the forum and saw that Atclarke also was a 2014 applicant who went In Process, then I thought maybe the entire ECAS system is malfunctioning. So I decided to just keep an eye on it to see if it would change back to Application Received...
However, after a few days I saw that it was still In Process, and I started thinking that this must be real... Then after I saw some of the comments that followed Atclarke's update stating that her husband's application went in process, I had decided to just observe and not say anything to avoid backlash. Then 8 days after my application went In Process, I was in the shower and I heard my cellphone ring. I saw a strange number, I proceeded to answer the phone. A lady was on the other end, she asked: “Is this Mr PrayerWarrior” And I was like, “ Yes, this is him.” She then said something like, “I am calling from the High Commission of Canada,” my response to this was, “Oh, Hi...” (At this point I was weak in the knees) Then she said, “We need your passport...” She proceeded to explain that I should go to a courier (she listed a few options) and purchase two labels one to send the passport in and one to have it returned to me. After repeating what she said she explained again slowly and once I understood I ended the call. I was in total shock
I was saying this can't be possible, this is too unbelievable (but of course it's possible, God can do all things)! I struggled to finish washing off the soap off my body ... I was weak in the knees and joints, I was crying, because in my broken state I had said some things that I am not proud of to God, but He was still faithful to move mountains on our behalf. I called my wife who was at the hospital doing an ultrasound, she started to celebrate and said that even though I had given up she still believed that God could do a miracle. And that He did.
I quickly left my house and dropped off my passport at a DHL. I had received the call about 3PM that afternoon and by the time I got ready and left my house and dropped off my passport it was too late for DHL to deliver it that same day. So though I dropped it off on the 20th of Nov, it went out for delivery and was delivered the following day (Nov 21st). Funny thing is my house is just walking distance from the Canada High Commission in Kingston. I could have dropped it off the same day myself if that option was available. After I did this I kept checking ECAS and DHL for updates but there it was still In Process, until Nov 28th. I came on the forum just to see what's up and when I saw AtClarke's post about decision being made. I quickly checked my ECAS and I too was greeted with “Decision Made”. I told my wife. When I had gotten the initial call for PPR I thought they would have asked for additional documents or an interview, because that's what I see most people saying they requested, but they didn't they only requested my passport - God is amazing!!!
Right now, as previous applicants before me did I'm stalking DHL daily and as soon as I receive my PP with the visa, I'm on the next plane out to be with my wife and daughter!! I am just thanking God for this miracle, because I know only He could have caused such favour to be bestowed upon myself and my wife. While I was trying so hard to land a TRV, God was working on something greater! Isn't God powerful?! Glory to God in the highest, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God hears and answers prayer! Faith is the miracle ingredient and He's a miracle working God! (Moment of praise!)
What I want to say to you all is simply this: Put your trust in God! When you think He's not working, that's when He is up to something and you will be surprised when He starts moving mountains on your behalf left, right and centre! Do not leave off prayer, and when you are about to give up, there's a good chance that He's just about to show up, like He did for my family.
All the best ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all expeditious processing!
The Bible says “For nothing shall be impossible with God.” Today my faith is 10x stronger than it was a month ago. God bless you all and please be encouraged!