Visa prayer request
(If you don't believe in the power of prayer, bringing all things before our great Almighty Creator God Father in heaven, then skip this post)
My visa is proving more difficult than I originally thought.
Would you pray for several specific things:
My visa is proving more difficult than I originally thought.
Would you pray for several specific things:
- that the Drs letter I am getting on Wed would be sufficient and not contested.
- for acceptance of my bank details as proof of monthly financial support.
- that the immigration people would get back to me soon re an appointment for next thurs
- that it would become clear whether I have to pay that £600 - some others who are going with me seem to have not had to pay. I'll pay it, but not if I don't have to...
- that I wouldn't worry about the whole process, but know that He is in control, even if it all seems a bit crazy.
My next appointment in London (combined with quality mother-daughter time, so it won't be a completely wasted day if it all goes pear-shaped) is hopefully on Thursday 10th around 11am, tbc. I need a nice clerk to talk to who is helpful and gets the visa processed as efficiently as possible.
God knows the situation, He loves it when we include him in it and He will surround me with boldness to say the right things. It's great to have you onboard supporting this whole venture in prayer. Be blessed. Cx
posted by Caroline @ 11:43 pm
6 Comments:
At Wednesday, 02 August, 2006,
Anonymous said…
I don't get this thing about your monthly income; if you are working for God's Golden Acre then surely your contract of employment will show you will receive a monthly income and you won't be wandering the streets?
Marek.
At Wednesday, 02 August, 2006,
Anonymous said…
I suggest you have a play on google with regard to south african visa requirements. The 7,750 Rand deposit is dependant on the timing of your exit from the country and also upon the nature of the ticket you have in your possession.
If it is an open ended onward ticket you may have to pay a deposit but if it's a fixed date return to London then you probably won't.
Either way, go play on the net. You don't need to get on God's 'phone, just get on your own 'phone to South Africa House!
Marek.
At Wednesday, 02 August, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Hey Marek, you are so right dude! It seems a little preparation work wouldn't go amiss.
Caroline babe: What are you going out there as?
Short-term volunteer?
A long term volunteer?
Salaried employee?
A volunteer on no pay and reliant on monthly sponsors can get away with a holiday visa valid for six months which may be extended whilst out there, at a cost.
Longer-term volunteer?
A volunteer on no pay and reliant on monthly sponsors needs a charitable or volunteer visa for periods longer than six months but shorter than three years. However you have to show you have an agreement with an organisation (GGA) on no salary but must be able to prove self-reliance (monthly sponsors / lasrge lump of dosh in the bank).
Salaried employee?
On a salary? In which case you present a letter from GGA and you get a work permit.
(From South Africa House website:
Volunteer Workers: Voluntary or charitable activities does not include activities for which a work permit will be required. If an employment position/post is offered wherein the incumbent will be on the establishment (personnel structure) of the institution, then a work permit in terms of Section 19 of the Immigration Act 2002 will be required)
So what are you? Working on a salary , ie part of the personnel structure, or a volunteer? I know this sounds nosey, me and my man Marek want to help you.
What sort of ticket have you got? Open ended round the world flyer or fixed return ticket with a date? That will determine your deposit.
This medical letter, surely you only need to prove you have all the right jabs -tetanus and polio (yellow fever if travelling on elsewhere), I produced a little green slip from my GP, no letter. Malaria is not mandatory but strongly advised if going up towards Kruger
When I did my year at Stellenbosch I had to show I received 15,000 Rand (£1200) per month to support myself but that was as a research student and covered absolutely everything; I don't remember what the rate is for a volunteer worker.
I'm so angry you ain't been better informed by Heather Reynolds about all this? Boy do they need an administrator and with five weeks to go you still have time to prepare! It's alright taking a fluffy elephant but have you got good boots, a torch (Maglite), a good rucksack, a corkscrew and tin opener (get a penknife) and the correct clothing (it ain't always hot in RSA, it snowed in Gauteng last week!) etc etc.. You say you have special dietary needs, can you get the stuff out there in Cato Ridge? Oh and don't forget a darn good hat.
We're praying and God's asking us to help to you and He works in mysterious ways.
Rick.
At Thursday, 03 August, 2006,
Anonymous said…
thIrty thRee days to go this is veRy exciting! I am smiling.
Piotr.
At Monday, 07 August, 2006,
Caroline said…
Rick,
thanks for your concern.
I guess I'll be the second of the 3 types of volunteer and I have a return ticket for next April cos that was the best they could do for me, but I'll be changing the return date on it.
Contrary to your opinion, I am getting lots of help from GGA in preparation, I'm just not shouting about it here on the website, but thanks anyway for your suggestions as I don't have all of those yet so will add them to my shopping list!!! ;-)
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Oh man! trying to get a visa for long term charity work ain't easy, especially since you want to extend for two years, good luck I hope you've got the cash if not see you in December when they send you back for outstaying the holiday visa (and they will, one thing the RSA are good at is chasing up on expired visas, parking tickets, speeding fines etc).
I know you express the opinion elsewhere this 'blog' isn't about fundraising yadda yadda yip yip but I think you've missed a golden acre opportunity in not using this 'blog' to your advantage, people will be giving money to you as a sponsor and will want to know what they've invested in. At the moment I don't see what someone gains from sponsoring you other than peace of mind and scoring 'a brownie point with God'.
Can I recommend the following book?
"Beyond Fundraising: New Strategies for Nonprofit Innovation and Investment" by Kay Grace. A really easy to follow book and one which will open a few eyes for someone volunteering to work as an administrator in a charity. This will do more good for the GGA than a fluffy elephant, trust me I use it all the time, both for my day job and when I go off and do my own charity fund raising events like VSO.
Rick.
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