To Greener Pastures

The Gerber family will remember the year 1994 for a very long time. This was a year of decisions, frustrations, anxiety and excitement. This was the year when I finally learned that counting your blessings should be done daily and not so every now and then. So I started counting and made notes of the very big ones.

Blessing Number 1.     Norman’s dedication

Norman started pursuing the application for permanent residency on our behalf. This was no easy task and it was only then that I discovered how strongly he felt about us moving to America. He went through multiple efforts and letdowns in trying to find the right channels and federal departments before he finally managed to obtain the correct papers. He traveled more than once from Ider to Atlanta, Georgia, a three-hour trip. The program that we had to apply for, was not that well known, but Norman’s persistence paid off.

Friends with this kind of dedication are very hard to find and we know God has and will bless him greatly for it.

Him:     “What are you going to do in America?”

Me:      “I am going to do whatever the Church wants me to do.”

Him:     “You are not going to be a full-time minister, is that correct?”

Me:      “Yes, Sir.”

Him:     “Why Ider, Alabama?”

I explained about my business trips and our visits to Norman and Joyce. He was satisfied.

The questions started focusing on Karen and the kids. He even wanted to know if Melissa was married (she was 11 at the time). It broke the ice and we started relaxing a bit. He wanted to know when we planned to leave and I explained to him that we have still quite a number of issues to finalize in South Africa - we had to sell our house and the kids would only complete their school year in December. We would like to go in January 1995, if possible.

His next words hit my like a hammer.

 “All of you have to be in America before the end of September 1994, because the program expires at the end of the month and if you do not get there in time, you will not be able to go,” he said.