Happy New Year, first of all! Leon, you seem to be the resident "Answer Man," and I have read your concise response regarding spousal sponsorship (several times). However, my intended and I have what would seem to be a couple of unusual circumstances. I am almost 58 and do not work (divorced, living on spousal support--but I own a home with a mortgage in Michigan which is currently rented and own a loft outright in Hillsboro, OR plus have investments and savings and have no outstanding debt). He is 59 and is a missionary consultant to 5 Asian countries (Indonesia, China, Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia) which translates into him being gone frequently and for quite a bit longer than 2 weeks. Since it is his job, I am not certain this qualifies as "vacation" and so, therefore, should not be held against us regarding his status of residency. He does have dual citizenship: Indonesia and Canada (lives in BC in a condo he owns outright). I am an American citizen (living in Oregon), born and bred, and have never lived anywhere else. I have a clean record without as much as a traffic ticket ever in my life.
Currently, we visit back and forth with me taking a train to Bellingham, WA and then he picks me up there or he drives down here to the Portland area. The last time he drove me to the train station (from Abbotsford, BC), we were asked many more questions at the border than we have been asked in the past. He is also considered a "pastor" although he is really more of an itinerant preacher since he is away so much (he speaks in many different churches throughout BC and the State of Washington, mostly). My "job" will be to support him in his mission efforts.
I have four children and (almost...in February) 5 grandchildren here in the States. My eldest (almost 38) son living in Texas will more than likely require a heart transplant some time in his early 40's (we have known this since he was 2 years old). My concern is that I will be in the middle of all this and will not be able to get back to the States should his medical condition escalate to critical. He has two small children (5 and 8) and a wife and I would not want to have to abandon them at such a time, especially since there are no guarantees, if you know what I mean. I would also like to be able to visit all my children and grandchildren without jumping through hoops.
Another question: Assuming we are able to get married within the next year, would I be allowed to join him right away on his missionary assignments or would there be a waiting period for that? Would I be able to join him on one of his missionary trips to Indonesia (his family of origin lives there) during the process (I do have a valid and current passport)?
He is going to Surrey tomorrow with my legal documents and his to investigate all of this, but I am not sure how much information he will glean in one meeting. We have tons of emails, phone records, cards, etc. to legitimize our relationship, by the way.
I've read about the "inland" and "outland" applications but am, to be quite honest, at a total loss as to which would be preferable. I think my biggest concern is not being able to get into the U.S. for the reasons I stated earlier.
I've actually had a discussion with him about (me) moving to Linden or Sumas, WA (or even Bellingham) since he frequently crosses the border to do business in Sumas. Would it be advantageous for us to just get married and then for me to live in Sumas, WA and just have him cross the border (as he's been doing for his own personal business) while we wait for my application for permanent residency to go through?
Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Cynthia
