Rebuttal: December 19

We spent the day on the computers, writing and rewriting our rebuttals, and keeping our U.S. families up-to-date. Many friends and family members helped out by e-mailing us suggestions and corrections for our rebuttals. The day continued with another meeting with the country director in which we were given the written notice of our administrative separation. We also took this opportunity to bring up the problem of the Kramers’ upcoming visit and the best way for us to stay in the country for a few extra weeks. The country director seemed to empathize with our situation and said that she would investigate some options for us. She concluded the meeting by telling us that all of our crying was making her cry and that she really did feel badly for us and our situation.

Frustrated and emotionally drained, we walked to the mall in order to get supplies for dinner and grab some fresh air. Our country director phoned mid-walk to inform us that in order to stay in the country for her parent’s visit, Kelli would have to replace her visa and passport on her own unless she resigned and returned to the states immediately. More stress! We stocked up on comfort foods (carbs and candy) and were almost back to the backpackers when our country director called again. Kelli and our two friends were insanely curious as Joe spoke to our country director with a smile on his face. After taking a few deep breaths, Joe informed us that the country director had told him that she had been thinking a lot about our situation and the potential for an alternative consequence to administrative separation. Although she could not think of an appropriate consequence, she informed Joe that if we could come up with one, she would consider it. We were ecstatic and spent the remainder of the evening brainstorming punishments and fantasizing about our next two years in South Africa.