Scared

[~Jess~ 0]

hey everyone. i dunno if anyone is followin the news but im scared Sh!tless! seems there is a war amoungst us here................................and now the airport and sea are unusable! and my passport to top it off is with the Security General because they are processing my residency........................we live in a fairly safe neighborhood but that doesnt make me worry any less.........................ohhhh why oh why did i come here??????????????? do you think this makes a good enuf reason for the embassy to let us go to the USA? when we can that is.................

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I was thinking about you this morning as I heard the news. I hope you guys stay safe!

[~Jess~ 0]

thanks. i am hoping the same for ourselves..my mom is worried sick and keeps texting and trying to call.

[Kobayashi 0]

Hi,

Maybe you should contact the local U.S embassy. I know they like to keep updated on their citizens in foreign countries. . I am assuming that by your post there is a complete shutdown and no one can get in or out? Stay safe.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

Jess... I will be praying for your safety, along with your husband and his family's safety. God bless you all!

Lynne

[~Jackie~ 30]

Jess, you and your family are in my prayers. Stay safe and know your VJ friends are here for you.

Jackie

[Veiled Princess 1]

Jess, I'll keep you and your family in my prayers as well.

Do contact the embassy and remind them that you're there!

Layla

[lostinlove228 0]

I think your pretty safe Jess. Try not to worry so much. Basically the chiristian areas are pretty safe. It's pretty much the south that is getting hit. If you talk to people down there, they have been going through this for decades.

I'm suppose to leaving in less then 3 weeks. I talked to my fiance this morning. He said this is a normal thing. a few days and things will calm down. I don't know what to say. It seems like it's obstical after obstical in my way to be with the man I love. When will it end.

Stay safe. May God be with us all.

[jenni and sami 0]

hey everyone. i dunno if anyone is followin the news but im scared Sh!tless! seems there is a war amoungst us here................................and now the airport and sea are unusable! and my passport to top it off is with the Security General because they are processing my residency........................we live in a fairly safe neighborhood but that doesnt make me worry any less.........................ohhhh why oh why did i come here??????????????? do you think this makes a good enuf reason for the embassy to let us go to the USA? when we can that is.................

My thoughts are with you and all who are cought up in this tragic conflict. Lets hope the rational and peaceful people of all nations can bring stability to the region. As if dealing with US immigration wasn't bad enough... My heart goes out to you.

[lostinlove228 0]

I think we all need a gold Medal when we are done with this whole process.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

JessNGeorges,

I have been thinking of you, and of all the people in Lebanon. I'm glad you could check in and let us know you're ok, although understandably you're frightened.

I have been trapped in a very similar situation in the West Bank, and I can tell you from experience that there is not much the U.S. Consulate can/will do for you, except possibly try to facilitate your movement out of the country if you wish to go home. In your case that would probably involve having to travel overland into Israel, and at this time that's probably not advisable or even possible due to the grim situation on the border.

Do call the Consulate, as has been mentioned, and let them know where you are and how to reach you. If you want to leave the country, ask them what can be done to get you out. It's possible that passage for a "convoy" might be arranged with the Israelis if there are quite a few American citizens who wish to leave at the same time. Or maybe not. But don't count on it, at least not anytime soon.

So far the Israelis have bombed the runways at the airport, but repairs could be made quickly if there is a cease-fire. If they start bombing planes or the control tower, of course, that could put the airport out of operation much longer. It's possible that flights could be operating out of Beirut within a few weeks or months if the hostilities can be contained.

I certainly don't want to upset you even more, but you need to know the reality of the situation. Unfortunately, just by being in Lebanon you are now on what is considered the "wrong" side of the conflict (as far as the US and Israel are concerned.) You are not considered an "enemy" of course, but if anything might happen to you, God forbid, (or to any of the millions of other innocent people in danger) there will be absolutely no U.S. outrage expressed against Israel. George Bush has refused to use American pressure to restrain the Israelis, as usual, and I know from experience that neither your life, nor the lives of millions of innocent Lebanese people, will be considered in any way as a sufficiently compelling reason for the U.S. to force an end to Israeli revenge attacks on the general infrastructure there.

In the meantime, all I can advise is to just try to stay far away from the war zone, keep your head down, and wait it out. Make sure you keep extra food and water stored at home in case of curfews or closures or shortages. I know it's frustrating because there's really not much you can do, but life goes on, even inside a war zone. Insha'allah the fighting will not reach you, and insha'allah the international diplomatic attempts now underway to stop this situation from escalating further will become successful.

If you like to write, keep a journal. Document what you see and experience. Let all your friends and relatives know what is being done to innocent people in the name of Israel's "security" and "defense."

Thoughts and prayers with you, and with all the innocent people in Lebanon and Palestine who caught in this madness.

-MK

[amal 4]

you are in our prayers. May god watch over you, your family, and all the innocent people there. I liked WOM's suggestion about keeping a journal about what goes on..... keep on keepin' on and don't forget that we love you

amal

[~Jess~ 0]

I am registered with the embassy and they have sent emails of warnings. I couldnt just go and leave my husband here. he isnt allowed in the usa he was deported and banned 10yrs and our i130 is still in athens.........not approved or denied yet...........the roads that lead to syria were bombed and now there is no way at all to get out, if i go threw isreal i will never be allowed in lebanon again, once that is on my passport...................another problem, my passport is downtown at the security general awaiting my residency to be complete, and thy are now closed until monday at earliest...........i guess i just have to stay calm and hope it all ends soon.....this is crazy

[Jenn! 918]

You're in my thoughts, Jess.

God help us all.

[Bosco 1]

Jess,

Praying for your safety, as well as the safety of all the other innocents caught up in this.

Rebecca