'credit crunch' (hate that buzzword term) - could not a relative get a secured loan? Or secure employment in the US and ask the employer for an advance? (I don't know if that is practical in your line of work).

no that didn't sound condescending - just trying to explore all avenues - but you have probably thought of them before anyways.

:)

Peace

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."