In the midst of all of this we
find that after almost 10 years of the same process, the Thai
consulates in the United States have changed their policy regarding
how to get visas, and all of our 12 volunteers’ visa applications
have been stuck in process. At first, one of the consulates wanted
a letter from the Thai Ministry of Education stating that the
schools had permission to invite the volunteers (this is normally
a three-month process and is used to confer one year visas incountry).
The second option (given by another consulate) was to have all
of the school directors write individual letters inviting the
volunteers to serve at their particular schools (currently all
of the school directors are out of the country on an educational
trip to see schools in Scandinavia). Making things even more difficult,
of course, is the 12-hour time difference, meaning that consulates
in the United States are open while we here are sleeping and closed
when we are awake. This inevitably means a one- to two-day delay
in exchanging suggestions or information with those trying to
file the applications, their acting on them, finding out they
didn’t work, and communicating that back to us for more
suggestions. All the time the Immigration Department here in country
is saying we should not be having a problem. Even as I write we
are unsure as to the disposition of the volunteers. Mai pen
rai.
Mai pen rai can be either a positive or a negative response.
Certainly if one uses it as an aid to irresponsibility it is wrong.
But used appropriately it can be a way of keeping first things
first.
The delay in my flight allowed me the chance to witness to a BBC
correspondent who was in the midst of an ugly divorce and who
was headed back to his village for some time away. Our conversation,
he reported, had given him great courage and hope. He wasn’t
ready to become a Christian, but it was one of the few positive
experiences he had had with a Christian.
The motorcycle accident demonstrated God’s great and tender
care. Riding a motorcycle in Chiang Mai is exceedingly dangerous.
I still don’t know why or how the truck stopped before crushing
me but I do know that if he had continued much further I most
likely would have been crippled for life. The motorcycle stopped
dead right in front of a motorcycle repair shop. Getting the motorcycle
repaired there helped me to find a wonderfully talented motorcycle
mechanic. And, I got to sit, wait, and talk with my beautiful
wife for an hour or so. That’s always a blessing.
I don’t know how the visa issue will play out, but I am
confident of this: if I keep first things first (my trust in God,
my gratitude for His great mercy, and my knowledge that He is
able to do far more than I can ever ask or imagine) then the outcome
cannot be anything but positive.
Throughout our lives situations will arise—wars and even
rumors of wars—but we can be assured that the One, in whose
hands we are, is loving, kind and gracious. And nothing can separate
us from His love.
Thanks for all you do to keep us in the mission field and giving
us the opportunity to grow in His Grace.
In His Grace and Peace,
Glen, for the whole Hallead Family
Hang Dong, Thailand
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
207 |
