Justin Parke

Finding Ways To Give Thanks No Matter The Circumstance

I am always finding small ways to give thanks no matter the circumstance, as it seems the only way to weather this storm.

No Matter The Circumstance

BEEN HERE BEFORE BUT NOT LIKE THIS

I've lost everything in life and started over again so many times I can't even count anymore, but we've been living in dire straits ever since our immigration lawyer in Ecuador stiffed us a year and a half ago.

PERFECT STORM

We arrived in Suriname without a plan, on tourist visas which we were clearly told by the Suriname Embassy can't be converted to any kind of residency, but luckily we were able to bypass that through a loophole at office that approves illegal immigration under certain circumstances.

With a few lies and some forged paperwork, the government of Suriname thought we were economically solvent enough to be granted residency here.

A MAJOR MICRO ENEMY

We never could've imagined Suriname would begin drifting towards bankruptcy and the economy would descend into freefall only a few months after our arrival. With inflation rampant, food shortages, dry ATMs, living from a Western Union window, COVID-19 came to town.

With this microscopic problem came immeasurable problems. Our immigration case has come to a halt, all of our documents are now expired, preventing immigration to anywhere else so that we can help ourselves.

The nearest Cambodian Embassy is Cuba, which we can't access, and they don't even provide new documents if we could get there magically somehow. We now need new legal documents from Cambodia, which we can't afford to fly to, plus I, as a foreign citizen, am currently banned from Cambodia under COVID-19 laws.

EFFECTIVELY STATELESS

Theoretically, as individuals, I can make my way back to the USA, and the family could return to Cambodia, but we can't afford that and we'd like to remain together, especially during these weird times.

Our marriage case can't go forward here until the government and the country begins functioning normally again. Because of this we have no legal family ties outside of Suriname, which has only granted us a temporary family residency visa.

As a family, we are stateless, which caused us to lose what little belief I had left in the concept of nation-states and borders. There is no victimless crime which our entire family wouldn't commit to remain healthy and united, but its hard to explain to a 6 year old why it's ethical to lie to people with authority, badges and uniforms.

Things To Be Thankful For

Awesome Daughters

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After all the @KidSisters have been through the last two years, both being away from me for 5 months and now being stranded in a foreign land as a united family, it has forged them into hard little warriors that are well aware of the Babylon system and it's reach.

They are loving, caring, and sharing, and ready to hit the road at any moment without a fuss or tear shed. They are growing without an allegiance to any government, country or border.

I have many friends back in the USA who won't even switch towns for a better life because they live in fear of the negative impact losing friends would have on their children.

The @KidSisters are not afraid to leave anyone or anything behind in a moment's notice, and I know these childhood experiences abroad, albeit a migrant experience instead of a "my parents are world travelers" one, will have a positive impact on their future.

An Incredible Fiance

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@Sreypov is legendary, and some of the stories she's told me in Khmer would boggle your mind. I do hope her English and blogging improve enough to one day be able to share them with you here on Hive.

She's a super-duper Mom and a A-grade chef. She was born in a Thai refugee camp, and has seen the worst and the best that humankind is capable of. After all her life experience, she's chosen kindness and forgiveness as her way to make it through this life, and I learn a lot from her everyday.

Here in Suriname, she's gone from zero computer skills to an expert Hive blogger, all in an effort to adapt to a changing world and provide for the family, as there's little opportunity for us here.

Peanuts & Mushrooms

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It may not seem like a big deal, but we haven't seen or eaten fresh mushrooms for over a year. Peanuts come and go, sometimes available, sometimes not for months at a time here in Suriname.

A neighbor took @Sreypov on a shopping quest yesterday in her car, and she was able to score a kilo of peanuts, and even a bag of fresh oyster mushrooms, although Sreypov will not reveal the price. This only means we won't be eating mushrooms again during our life in Suriname.

THAT'S MY MOOD TODAY

I'm reaching for the positive today, just need to feel good and be hopefu to have an escape from the daunting stress that is always around the corner. "Where will we be in 3 months?" "When can we return to Cambodia?" "When will world immigration laws and visa policies be relaxed?"

So many questions plague us on a daily basis, but we remain positive and hopeful we can stay united and find a way through this time. I might have a new Khmer language student starting online soon, so there is another thing to be thankful for.