MHandMB

Hi everyone,

I don't visit this board very often anymore because we finished our visa journey about 3 years ago, but I do occasionally come back to check in and see how everyone is doing.

This is a great topic, so I'll throw my 2 cents in.

My husband ( who is 9 years older than me) has been here for 6 years. We met in Paris and after a long distance relationship for several years, i moved there for a year to make sure we were ready for the next step. He went back to Algeria for the k-1 process,and luckily things moved fairly quickly for us and he was here within 6 months.

The first few months were very difficult. He was able to get a temporary work permit, and I found him a job relatively quickly through a friend of a friend, but he was miserable. He's a people person and is good at negotiating and networking, and he was working in a warehouse doing welding and cleaning. He didn't yet have his DL, so he was dependent on others for transportation. I had only been back in the USA a few months before he came over, so we ended up living with my parents until we had some money saved up.

Once we had our wedding, moved into our own place, and he got his drivers license, things got a lot better. He eventually got better jobs, and he loves his current employer and is very happy there. We've been married almost 6 years, and it's been almost 3 since he became a citizen.

I would say that the transition period was difficult, but what made it better was the fact that he developed a very close relationship with my family, and he also began going to the Mosque and met many great friends from his own background who were also married to American women. I think he just felt a bit lost for a while and had to be dependent on me for everything, which he wasn't used to.

As for the questions someone raised upthread about kids... That's the most difficult thing going on in our lives right now. He wanted to try to have kids right away, but I wanted to wait and try to get settled in and get in a better financial situation before we started trying. That caused a lot of friction, but he respected my opinion. Now, I wish I'd listened to him more. It took us a long time to get pregnant, and last year I had a miscarriage. It took us almost a year to get pregnant again, and now it looks like I'm about to have another one. I'm not past the age of trying again, but I never thought it would take us so long, or that I'd have so many problems.

Everyone's situation is different, but if you're thinking of having children at some point and are putting it off for one reason or another, just be sure to factor in potential fertility issues when making your decisIon. You might think you have until 40 to start trying, but your body might not agree with that.

Anyway, there's my story. It's nice to come back and see so many positive ME/NA relationships still going strong. So many times, this place gets in a cycle of gloom and doom, so it's nice to be reminded that there are success stories!

Marissa

According to the members of the organization, there has been no proselytizing and they have followed the laws of Morocco:

http://www.voh-ainleuh.org/

"For the past 10 years the Village of Hope has offered an outstanding level of care and love to Moroccan Children. The unique model of care offered by VOH means that children have been raised in family units with a Mum and Dad rather than the more traditional dormitory style orphanage set up. VOH has always operated with the full knowledge and agreement of the Moroccan authorities with the overt understanding that the overseas workers are Christian. It has also always been understood that the children would be raised in a Muslim/Christian environment but would also be fully immersed in their Moroccan culture in terms of love for their country, language, education and knowledge of Islam.

On Monday 8th March, all 16 overseas workers, including 10 parents, and 13 natural-born dependents, were told they were to be evicted from the site and country. The reason given was that the parents had been proselytizing, with no explanation of who, when, where or how this was alleged to have occurred. No charges concerning the welfare and care of the children have ever been raised as a concern by the Moroccan authorities in the 10 year history of VOH.

The Moroccan authorities have not produced any evidence of the alleged offence and they gave only a few hours for the parents to pack up belongings and explain to their children that they might never see them again.

This action against VOH was part of a nationwide crackdown against Christians living in Morocco. VOH fully understands that the Moroccan law prohibits people from promoting a faith other than Islam and has always sought to abide by this law and recognises the right of the authorities to enforce this law. All parents, volunteers and visitors to VOH were required to sign a declaration stating that they will abide by the Moroccan law prohibiting evangelism. A copy of this declaration is appended below. VOH strongly refutes the allegation made against its staff and confirms that the authorities have always been aware of its Christian ethos and that throughout the 10 years the authorities have placed children into the care of VOH. It is also a grave concern that no appeal process has been offered to challenge this decision and the action taken.

The eviction process was the most painful situation imaginable. The Moroccan authorities gathered the children together in the school and told them what was happening in the absence of the parents. After that, parents had to further explain to the devastated children what was about to happen. Some of the children have been with their parents for 10 years and the trauma caused was beyond description. VOH would like to make it very clear that during the eviction process, no member of the Moroccan authorities ill treated any of the staff or children and that the Moroccan authorities had a team of carers, albeit strangers to the children, ready to come in and offer temporary care. However, parents have no idea what is to happen to their children or how they are coping and have no point of contact with the Moroccan authorities.

VOH understands the action of the authorities in relation to any "missionaries" if there is real evidence against them of preaching the gospel. However, they feel the action against them was without foundation and completely unjust. VOH is not a missionary organisation and only exists to offer love, care and education to Moroccan children. There is a sense that VOH has been included in a nationwide action, but there is absolutely no legal merit to the action taken against VOH.

The parents of VOH want to clearly state their love for the Kingdom and people of Morocco and fear this act by the authorities will cause long term damage to the excellent reputation of Morocco. Morocco is viewed by the West as a moderate and safe Islamic state with an ever improving response to social issues. The King has been a driving force behind so much positive reform and he is to be honoured for all he has done for the betterment of his people. However, actions like this are only likely to tarnish Morocco's image and have a detrimental effect on inward investment, foreign aid and tourism. If a perception grows that non-Islamic guests in Morocco and foreign led organisations are being targeted then we fear for the damage that could be caused. Key relationships with the EU and other trading partners and supporters of Morocco could be affected unless a negotiated settlement can be seen to take place. VOH, through its international investors, have pumped Millions of Moroccan dirham into infrastructure, care of children, employment of Moroccans and the local economy only to have it taken away in a matter of hours. What signal does this send to others looking to support the development of Morocco either through trade, aid or simply as a tourist.

The parents only want to be reunited with their children. Every single set of parents would return to Morocco to continue with the care of the children and continue to live under the law and authority of the State. Equally, the parents would be willing to negotiate for the release of the children into their care to the parent’s country of origin. As parents, we plead with the Moroccan authorities to open a dialogue with us as to the future well being and care of our children.

We openly and unashamedly appeal directly to the King, as a Father himself, to act with mercy and help us reach a point of compromise and reunite the 33 children with the only parents they know.

We also appeal to our supporters around the World to not react to this situation and use the internet or any other means to say anything that might be viewed as detrimental about the Moroccan authorities. We the parents are the only people who carry the authority to speak into this situation on behalf of our children and we are raising up a team of people whom we trust with our message to speak on our behalves. If you have posted "unauthorised" comments or started campaigns, we would plead with you to stop and remove information you have put into the public domain.

For offers of help and especially if you have access to the people of influence and power, please contact the following people:

USA

Allen Wolf

Tel: 310-314-3960

allen@morningstarpictures.com

UK

Mark Johnston

Pioneer People Wirral

Tel: 0798 654 0930

mcwirral@yahoo.co.uk

To make a donation:

cheques payable to Pioneer People Wirral - 33 Seven Acres Lane, Thingwall, Wirral CH61 7XZ.

Or online at:

http://www.justgiving.co.uk/pioneerpeople

Holland

Information coming

South Africa

Errol Muller

venita5045@swissmail.org

France

Michael Paita

La Gerbe

Tél : 01 34 75 56 15

michael.paita@lagerbe.org

As parents, we can't walk away from this situation. We need to work hard to make sure our children are safe and ultimately given back to us. We appeal for international support to help us campaign against this unjust decision. We urgently need finances to provide living costs for displaced families, provision of support for sacked Moroccan workers, legal representation, travel costs for staff to and from home countries and funding to fight this issue for as long as it takes. Again, please contact the above people to provide your financial support.

We conclude with just one story to make everyone understand the impact of what is happening.

Simo came to VoH as a very sick newborn baby boy. He had been born to a single teenage mother with mental health problems, who abandoned him at VoH on the day of his birth, and in a very unwell state. Within hours of his arrival, he developed breathing problems, and was rushed to hospital, where he stopped breathing and was revived by our Dutch nurse. Simo remained in hospital for eight weeks, and was then returned to VoH care and custody by the Moroccan authorities. He returned malnourished, and extremely unwell. He was unable to feed except through a tube, and then only in very small amounts. He weighed only 2.79kg, less than his original birth weight. Simo required, and received, one-on-one nursing care from our qualified Dutch and British nursing staff 24-7 for several months. Once Simo began putting on weight and his health improved, he was placed permanently with one of the VoH parents, who have provided him with love and all the other essential needs of a little baby. He has remained with his new parents and 9 siblings for the past year, up until the day that they were evicted. Simo was later diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy, and had a number of ongoing related complications. However, with a strict medication and care regime from his parents and our nursing staff, he became a happy, healthy little boy with a future and a hope.

Without VoH’s immediate intervention and action, Simo would have died. But at the time of the parent’s eviction from VoH, he was a happy and very healthy little boy who, whilst very handicapped, was well provided for and continues to be loved as a son and brother by his parents and siblings. We have been informed that Simo had a very bad night after his parents departed, and that within 15 hours of his mum and dad being torn from him, he was taken to a hospital to be cared for, as the temporary Moroccan staff were unable to cope with his needs. We reiterate that Simo was not unwell when his parents were taken away. But he requires a particular regime of medication and special care to ensure that he remains healthy and comfortable. We hope that he continues to receive the special care that he requires, that people will be permitted to visit and hold him, to talk to him and let him know that he is still loved. Ultimately, we want to see Simo back in the arms of his loving parents and siblings, restored to the love and hope that he so deserves.

We have another 32 stories to tell and will keep telling the stories until a just decision is made. This is not an issue of Islam vs Christianity, this is a issue of families torn apart, bewildered and devastated children and heartbroken parents. We call for Justice.

God bless and thank you for the uncountable acts and words of kindness and prayer already received. Please continue to stand with us.

From the Parents in exile and separated from their beautiful Children."

My husband got a Schengen tourist visa to visit his brother in France when he had a greencard...it actually was relatively easy. After he submitted the application, he had to go to the closest French consulate and have proof of lodging, return airline reservation, and enough money in the bank for the trip. He had a 2 minute conversation with one of the consuls, and they approved him. The biggest pain was the money for the visa application and the travel to Atlanta, which is 5 hours away. The rest of it was pretty painless.

I think they are a lot more likely to give a visa to someone from MENA with a U.S. greencard than to someone without. It's not as much of a risk that they will decide to overstay their European visa if they have the right to live and work in the U.S.

Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this right now. Please get the papeer as soon as possible so you can know exactly what is going on. If it is indeed a denial, please look at the pinned topic in this forum concerning returned petitions. Time will be of the essence.

Algeria isn't usually considered a high-fraud embassy, so it was surprising to me that your husband said he was denied outright. It is possible that they have started to clamp down lately. It's important to think of any red flags you may have had to have caused the consulate to deny the visa, and see if there is any way you can address their concerns. One item in your profile that stuck out to me is that you only met your husband once in person, and you married right away. This could be seen in a negative light by the consulate, and you may need to take another trip to Algeria soon to visit your husband so you can have further evidence of your relationship.

Good luck!

Love love LOVE France...

Coq au vin, pain au chocolat, crepes, kir royale, Berthillon ice cream

Givenchy, Lancome, La Roche Posay, Vichy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Sephora

Notre Dame de Paris, la Tour Eiffel, Sacre Coeur...

Voltaire, Rousseau, de Balzac

List goes on and on....

Nawal, I have to interrupt to say your babies are adorable! I love the pictures!

Jenn, congratulations on Adam! He is a beautiful boy!

Ok, back to topic....

I've seen conspiracy theories against both sides. My husband is actually in Algeria right now, and he says it's crazy. It's ridiculous that all of this violence gets attached to a soccer match, of all things. Something that is supposed to be fun gets turned into an excuse to start riots and go crazy...When I heard the match was going to be in the Sudan, I was worried that there would be even more problems. Surely their soldiers and police have enough going on on a daily basis with their own citizens; throw in thousands of unruly soccer fans, and it's a disaster waiting to happen. I hope things settle down soon.

Well, it's a huge and messy rivalry. The Algerian team's bus was attacked in Cairo on the way to the team's hotel. Several players were injured. Many say the game should have been postponed, but it wasn't. The Algerian team was ahead in points, so if they won the match or lost by only one point, they would be headed to the World Cup. The Algerian team lost by 2, which meant a re-match was necessary. They went to the rematch in neutral Sudan, and won the match. There were many riots and retaliation attacks in Egypt and Algeria over the past few days. Obviously not appropriate behavior on either side, and it's really a pity so many people were hurt over a soccer match. However, the Algerians won and questioning the victory of the match itself at this point sounds like a bit of sour grapes.

As long as he was never arrested or had any run-ins with the police, his record should be clear, and his illegal status shouldn't affect the police report. Others here have had the same issue (illegal overstay in EU country), and things have worked out. Hope it works out for you!

Hi all,

Ahmed had his interview on Oct 22. He said that the interview went well. The gentleman that was doing his interview asked him alot of questions about the time spent in France and ask him for a copy of his police reocrd from France. After the interview, Ahmed went to the French Embassy in Cairo and they told him they couldnt help him. How do we get a copy of his police record from the French government?

Hollykay

Hi Hollykay,

You can request the police record by sending a request to the following e-mail address: cjn@justice.gouv.fr, or by mail to: Casier Judiciaire National 44317 NANTES CEDEX 3 or by fax to 02 51 89 89 18. You can download the request form by going here: http://www.vos-droits.justice.gouv.fr/art_pix/cerfa_b3.pdf. Hope that helps!

We stayed in Staoueli, a beach town about 15 minutes away from Algiers. The hotel was VERY reasonable, comfortable, and within walking distance to some cute shops and restaurants. If you are willing to stay outside of town, let me know and I will get my brother-in-law to give me the name of the hotel...he stays there when he goes to Algiers on business. If you are set on staying in town, I will see if he has any suggestions.

Congratulations, Marissa! Wow, less than 4 years in total - not bad, USCIS.

When did you apply for citizenship? We've been dragging our feet on that - too sad to break our ties with USCIS.

Thanks, everyone!

We applied for citizenship in May of this year...I need to fill out my timeline for citizenship, which I'll try to do this week. All in all, it was much more speedy than I anticipated.

Jenn, it sounds like you have much more pressing matters to attend to right now than to worry about filling out more paperwork!

Is over!

Yesterday, Amed went to take the citizenship test. I went to USCIS with him. When he finished, he came out with a piece of paper which said that he passed the test, and to come back in 30 minutes (!!) for the oath ceremony. He is now an American citizen!

We were floored. We thought we would have to wait weeks, if not months, for the ceremony.

Overall, we were very, very lucky, and I am counting our blessings. He applied for the visa in November 2005, and in August of 2009, he is a citizen.

I want to thank everyone for all of the encouragement and advice over the years. Ir would have been a lot more difficult to go through this process without this website!

I think I've told my story before, but it's all so much fun to remember.

Amed and I met when I went on vacation to Europe after graduating from college. He was working at a shop in Paris. One evening, I came wandering into the shop to get out of the rain. We started chatting, made plans to meet up at Versailles the next day, and spent several days together. We kept in touch long-distance, and I made several trips to Paris over the years. Finally, I decided to bite the bullet and see how things would go if we lived in the same city for a while.

I moved to Paris for a year. About 6 weeks before my visa expired, Amed invited me to meet him for a picnic at this park I'd been bugging him to go to for months. He said he had an errand to run that morning, so he would just meet me at the park. I was running late, missed the train, and had to take 3 different modes of transportation to get there. He kept calling me every 2 minutes, wondering where i was. I finally arrived at the entrance of the park, laden down with picnic stuff in one hand, my dog's leash in the other. My hair was all over the place, I was hot and cranky because he kept calling me to hurry me along. I turned the corner, and I saw him standing there in a suit and tie with a huge bouquet of flowers. I barely registered the ring box in his other hand. I don't even remember what he said next because it was just a rush of emotions, and I saw my MOM sitting on a bench right behind him!

He had flown her in as a surprise so she could be there during the proposal. The "errand" he had to run was to go pick her up from the airport.

I still smile when I think of that day...nothing will ever be quite as romantic!

Quick question...is it haram, or is there anything in the Koran that says it's wrong to celebrate birthdays? I mean something like having birthday parties for your children...just curious if it is a cultural thing or if it's religion-based.

Thanks for any insight you can give me!

Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah"

I'm redecorating out computer room/2nd guest room, and I'm so excited! I have all of the pieces; I just need to start sanding and painting. I'll definitely post before and after pictures.

I took the rug that was in there and put it in our bedroom (and it looks great, I was psyched about that), which meant I got to go buy a new rug. It has reds and creams and browns in it. I bought a euro style lounger (couch) that folds out to a bed, and it's a deep brown. I'm painting the walls a cream color with a tint of brown, and I'm painting the outdated wood trim a lighter cream color. I have a ton of MENA style pillows that I'm going to throw around, as well as a sand painting we got in Algeria that's going on the wall. I'm planning on taking an old end table and sanding it, painting it, and shortening the legs so we can put it in front of the couch.

Today begins the painting and sanding, which will take the longest. Once I get that done, the room should come together quite quickly, I think. I'll be back at some point with pictures!

only 30 years max? That means if he gets the max, he;ll be out when hes 53 and will have plenty of opportunity to hurt someone else. Poor little girl. I really hope she's too little to remember this.

You all got lucky. It took me 4 hours to vote today, and I was there when the polls opened this morning. It was an absolute nightmare. They only had 4 machines at our precinct, and it was pretty disorganized.

That has to be the hardest thing any parent can ever go through. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. She's beautiful.

Poor little dog.

Henia, congratulations on your precious little boy! I hope you start feeling better and the in-laws start behaving themselves soon.

Thanks for your very candid account of what happened during your labor and delivery. My husband always talks about moving back to Algeria someday, and although I'd love to visit more often, I don't think I'd like to live there. The different hygiene and medical standards are a couple of reasons why, although my husband insists that most of the medical care is perfectly fine. I'm going to tell him about your experience.

I'm glad everything turned out ok and that things are getting back to normal. I hope you'll share more pictures with us soon!

Gardasil is still a relatively new vaccine, and all of the adverse effects are just now starting to be seen. Please talk to your doctor if you concerned about its effects. You can check out the latest adverse events by inquiring of the national adverse events reporting system at vaers.hhs.gov.

Good luck!

I can't even imagine what you must be feeling right now. For this all to have happened while you were apart...I'm just at a loss for words. Please lean on your friends and family right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Have a wonderful birthday!!!

I am flabbergasted. I have always loved my country, but this makes me sick and ashamed. I remember how well I was treated in Algeria, and how warm my husband's family, friends, and even neighbors were to us, and it breaks my heart to think of a single one of them being treated as your father in law was treated. God bless you and your family.