Today I’m on a mission…my goal – to pick up my extended Visitor’s Visa at the downtown Home Affairs office. As any local would tell you, this is often a scary endeavor! Like in many other countries when it comes to customs, permits, visas and passports…its no easy matter and God’s peace and patience is definitely needed!
In the past I have traveled only 10min from my house to the Wynberg office…but it has recently closed down so they have sent me downtown…to traffic, busy streets, mobs of people and simply utter chaos! I attempted to come down here early Saturday morning…woke up well before my normal Saturday rise, and drove 20min into town to be there when the building opened. However, after finding a parking place and being yelled at by a drunk homeless man…I arrive at the door to find a stern faced woman who told me they are closed on Saturdays…WHAT?! I asked why it says they are open on Saturdays on the website…she just shrugged and looked away. Obviously it wasn’t her problem. As the Lord does…he did turn the mishap into good and I drove down to the waterfront and had a nice long walk on the SeaPoint promenade only a few minutes away.
Well, as I write at the moment…Monday afternoon, I am currently sitting in the Home Affairs building, on the second floor, in the queue to pick up my visa…well at least I think it’s a queue? I was told to sit here but in all honesty have no idea what I’m doing…nor do the people around me. I have been sitting for at least one hour already! The ‘funny’ thing is though there is no one behind the counter…I am with a mass of people waiting for no one! Sometimes there is an individual behind another counter, but at times they leave too…and sometimes there isn’t a single worker in the entire room with over 100 individuals cramped in and confused. Everyone is anxious, tired and like me probably hungry (I should have eaten before I came!) I have just made friends with a girl named Alberta, sitting in front of me…she is from Holland, 20 years old, in an internship… and like me is extending her visa. It makes the time go a bit faster as I chat with her.
The time keeps clicking away on my clock…and the tension in the room grows…only about 6 people in front of me is a guy who has been here over 2 hours…I keep saying that if he gives up and leaves I will do the same…but I continue to stand firm. I have no plans this afternoon so what do I got to loose (other than my sanity!)
I’m reminded as I wait of the many others around the world who WAIT daily…waiting for more crucial things that a visa. Lord forgive me for complaining! I know there are men, women and children everywhere who wait for healthcare, medication or to see a doctor. I can’t imagine carrying a sick child in my arms while waiting for help! I sit her with a book (which I’m fortunate to read), with a phone (which I can ring friends on)…and with a God who I know is sitting right besides me in the midst of this crazy room. Lord bless those who wait around the world this very minute…give them your peace!
Suddenly out of nowhere, after almost 2 hours, a woman emerges and asks for 5 receipts (which we have come to turn in, in exchange for our visa). Not respecting the so-called queue…people push their way forward! Alberta and I jump up feeling the injustice after waiting so long and seeing people who have just arrived shove their papers forward. We were now ready by the counter for the next 5 and began to stand like un-wavered trees…I almost lost it and was going to take off but thankfully held in there. Finally, the lady came back and Alberta and I literally pushed ours into the next pile. We then went to another queue to wait for our name to be called. I was enjoying getting to know Alberta and asked if she ever wanted to go to church with me…she said yes, so we exchanged phone numbers and I know we will probably see one another again soon. God certainly has his unique plans! About 20min later I was holding my newly stamped passport in my hand…gave Alberta a hug and walked out the door. I texted my housemates “Victory…from Hell”. Wow, glad I won’t have to do that for awhile…I guess 2 and half hours wasn’t too bad. Another day in Africa…right?!
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