I just received an email from Charlene in which she says that they have heard from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that they will be invited to an orientation meeting in Accra in the next week or two. This link http://www.iom.int/about-coa references this orientation meeting as the last step before settlement. Getting close!

Charlene and Chancella are having their medical exams today (and tomorrow) in Accra - please keep them in your prayers!

I have just heard from Charlene that she and Chancella will be going to Accra on November 11 to have their medical exam on November 12. I don't know how long it will take to get their results but I think things could develop quite quickly thereafter.

Charlene just called me here in Ukraine to let me know that they have had the interview at the High Commission in Accra and at the end they gave her forms to have a medical exam. I didn't fully understand everything that she said but I am cautiously optimistic as they would not bother with the medical exam if the sisters had not met the other criteria. I will keep you posted as I learn more.

This morning I received a copy of a letter sent to the sisters inviting them for an interview at the Canadian High Commission in Accra, Ghana at 9 am on October 28. The purpose of the interview is to assess their application for permanent residency in Canada, under our sponsorship. Typically a decision is not made immediately and it is possible that we will still need to wait several weeks or even months before we know the decision. Nevertheless this is great news and I would ask you to keep the sisters in your prayers!

I am pleased to tell you that at a recent meeting of the Church's Board of Missions the Board resolved to proceed with pursuing an additional sponsorship under the Blended Visa Office Referral (BVOR) program and to seek further guidance from the congregation with a view to establishing the characteristics of the family we hope to sponsor.
There will be an informal meeting of the congregation following the morning service this Sunday (October 4) to discuss our next steps, so please come and make your views known.

On the advice of Chantal Desloges, an immigration lawyer recommended by Alana Carpenter, I have today couriered a letter to the Canadian High Commission in Accra, Ghana requesting that the two sisters be classified as " women at risk". Chantal advises that if we are successful in this request, the sisters' application might be expedited. Certainly as two single women with no family or protection there is no doubt in my mind that the sisters are at risk but it remains to be seen if the Canadian High Commisssion will see it that way. Please keep the sisters in your prayers!