Sat August 23rd 2008
Communication is especially difficult these days. My computer just up and died on me on the 30th of June. We even had a computer expert here at the time and he could not revive it. It is very difficult to be here without access to the outside world. At the time I was making arrangements to have some artwork printed and delivered here for the Solemn Assembly. A visitor coming from the States would be able to bring it. In addition I was 2 weeks away from having to leave Mozambique to renew my Visa and still had all the arrangements to make. The embassies have become much “tighter” with the Visa’s they issue. The last time I was in the U.S. I applied for the same Visa as I had on my previous trip, a 6 month Visa which was the longest available. It was after I arrived here I discovered it was different. It was a 6 month Visa, but I had to leave the country to have it renewed every 90 days. This adds a huge expense. It cost me pennies under $1,050.00 for the trip without any food expense or extras. The flight alone was almost $800.00 and then there were busses across the border, Visa Fee, border taxes and accommodations. At the time there is only one airline that flies to the Capital city, Maputo, which is right on the border. I had to overnight there and in the morning take a bus across the border into South Africa. In Nelspruit there is a home that is a “ministry” to missionaries. They have beds available for only $5.00 a night and help with trips to the Mozambican Consulate and etc. The married couple, Kent and Shay, who run it are from Florida and they are fantastic. It is such a respite. For the first time in 3 months I had a warm shower and glass on the windows … both good things because it was cold! We are much closer to the equator here in Pemba. I’d like to say that my trip was successful as well as enjoyable. Since I had to go to all the trouble to leave the country and etc I was applying for a different Visa … a Residence Visa. With this I would be able to get a Dierre, allowing me to be in the country for up to a year. After some challenges and needing to return to the consulate a second day I was told yes they issued me a Residence Visa. When I came back with this Visa I was informed what they gave me was not what they said and so I would not be able to apply for the Dierre and needed Immigration to revert to my original Visa to avoid having to leave the country again after 30 days instead of 90!!! Thankfully, that did happen. My lessons learned are now benefiting those currently needing to renew their Visas. They are trying other options rather than to incur the expense of travel to SA for a visa needing to be renewed every 30 days. This morning a family of 5 left to drive to Malawi and next week 2 female missionaries will be traveling part of the way by truck with the Mozambican Bible school students who will be returning to their villages after graduation and then taking the train the final way. Life here is certainly an adventure. J
