We had checked thoroughly about visas etc to get into Zambia and had it all worked out. We were informed by the Zambian High Commission in London that we can enter the country with a letter from the charity inviting us to work in the country. Once in Zambia we would then apply for our volunteer worker visas. With this we were satisfied.
Well, yesterday we were advised not to send any of our belongings into the country until we had received our worker visas. This is because if our things arrive before we receive the visas (which will give us permission to stay long term) then we would have to pay duty on all of our household goods!!! And you just know that's not in the budget!!!
The visa could take 8 weeks to be issued (assuming there are no delays). So in theory, if we send our shipping in just a couple of weeks, and after a journey of about 50 days it should arrive after our visas have been received. BUT what happens if our visas are delayed for some reason? We would still end up paying duty on everything. So we have decided to wait until our visas have been approved until we ship our things.
The consequences of this are that after we move out of the guest house in a month, we will then probably be living in an unfurnished house and therefore will be without kitchen equipment, beds, etc for 3 months or longer.
I have to be honest and tell you I have struggled with this. In fact as I write this at 6am I have already been awake for a few hours, wrestling with the Lord over this 'hiccup'. Asking Him questions like, what are we going to do? What will I cook with? What about the children's education? What about their toys and personal things? Is it fair for us to live for so long with just what we can carry in 1 suitcase?
Then the Lord so gently corrected me. 'Michelle, you will have a roof over your head. You will have food. You will have clothes. You will have the people around you that you love. You will have so much more than any of the children that you will be there trying to help.
With that, the Lord left me repentant. How can I complain when I have so much?!
Michelle
1 comment:
I know how these types of "hiccups" feel living and ministering in Uganda. I love your attitude, which is the attitude of Christ. He knows. Rest in that. And you are so right, we have SO much more than the people we are ministering to.
A BIG hugs from Uganda,
Summer
Post a Comment