The life of a Maryknoll Lay Missioner is sure to come with some challenges and adventures. Today I feel like I have faced my first set of challenges and succeed while having a few adventures along the way.
My journey to get a visa for Brazil began in early October. Our first step was to get a FBI clearance and a letter of good conduct from the Police Department. OK, that did not sound too difficult, however, when I asked about which police department I should go to for finger prints and the letter I was literally given 5 different answers. So I started calling all five police departments, I finally talked to someone who sounded like they could help. So my fellow Brazil missioners, Sirikit, Sr. Isabelle, and Sr. Hyun Jung and I jumped into the car and headed off to the police. Only problem was we could not find the police department, just when we were not sure what to do I saw a police car, Hyun Jung flipped the car around and we pulled up along side the police car. I rolled my window down and ask the cop where the police station was located. He asked, "my police station"? and I said yes please. He gave us directions and we were off. When we arrived at the station they were not to happy to see us. Somehow we convinced the officer to take our fingerprints even though he did not want too. By the end of our time with him he was telling us how to commit the perfect crime.
The next day we needed to get our letter of conduct. We went to see Jo at the police station. Again she was not real excited to see us. At first they told us they would not give us a letter. This was a huge problem for me because if I did not get it from them I was going to have to go to the consulate in California, which had the potential of delaying my leaving the US. Again we turned on the charm and an hour later we had our letters. Which turned out too good to be true. Jo confused Sirikit and I as Maryknoll Sisters and put the wrong address on our letter. She told us they were closing so we needed to return the next day. Which we did, again Jo worked on our letters and this time the zip code was wrong. So while Jo typed our letters for the third time another police woman came to the window. She asked if I was a nun. I told her no I was not, she informed me I was to nice to not be a nun. She then informed me this process was causing her to drink, I asked if I could join her. She laughed and asked us more about our mission. When we finally left with our letter in hand three police officers came out to wish us luck and to tell us "God Bless You". With our FBI forms, fingerprints and police letter taken care of our next step was to wait for our documents from Brazil to arrive.
Unfortunately, there was a strike in the Post Office in Brazil. Our documents were delayed and so we had to go to Washington DC before they arrived, thus delaying our trip to the consulate.
Upon our return to New York we had almost everything in hand that we needed for the Visa. The only thing missing was our FBI clearance. That is not set to arrive until mid December. By then I will be back in Oregon only adding to the complications. So our regional coordinator Joanne told Sirikit and I to go the Brazilian consulate and see what happens. Which we did last week. We were nervous because we knew we could be turned down but still ready to take a chance.
We arrived at the consulate and lined up to have our ID checked and picture taken. Once this was done we were able to pass through security to go to the elevators. We rode to the 21st floor. Once outside the elevator we got in a line of about 10 people. There was a security guard checking information. He seemed upset but I was determined to keep my head down and be as pleasant as I could. He yelled at almost everyone in front of us. When he came to us I smiled and said hello. To my surprise he smiled back and said hello. He told us to line up in side. As turned the corner I saw another line of about 30 people. I thought to myself this is like Disneyland, just when you think you are at the front of a line you get into another line.
As we waited in line the security guard came in and was yelling again. He said that if anyone caused any problems he would shut this place down and none of us would be processed. Sirikit said to me I wonder what that is all about. The guy in front of us overheard her comment and began explaining to us what was going on. At first I thought is he mumbling because I don't understand him. Then I realized he was speaking Portuguese. I was listening thinking maybe I will someday be able to understand him. I thought I understand a little of what he was saying. Then I thought why doesn't Sirikit tell him we do not understand him. Apparently she was waiting for me to tell him. Finally the man took a breath and I said I should tell you we don't speak Portuguese. He laughed and began to speak English. We never did understand what was going because we reached the end of that line, only to get a number to sit in chairs and wait.
I was sitting in the chair looking around the room at the other 100 restless people thinking none of you better misbehave, I need my visa. At first I thought we would be there for hours but after 5 minutes I realized I was next. My number was called and I presented my documents. They told me they had to call a supervisor. Sirikit joined me in line and we both held our breath and prayed as Fernando checked our documents. He asked where is the police report. I showed him waiting for questions about the FBI clearance but he never asked. Fernando stamped our papers and handed us a receipt. He told us to pick up our Visas in a week. In shock and excitement we headed for the door. As we left I felt the eyes of 100 people on us thinking how did we get through so fast.
So today was the moment of truth. I boarded the train headed to the city with three receipts in my purse. I wondered if Fernando had worked his magic or if I would show up and be denied because I did not have my FBI info. I weaved in and out of the umbrellas on the busy Manhattan streets praying that I would get what I had come for. When I arrived I went through all the lines and security as before. Finally my number was called I handed the woman my receipts and she said I don't have your visas take a seat. So I sat back in the hard cold chairs. She called a few more people then disappeared. She came back to the window and motioned to me. I presented my receipts again and to my great surprise and pleasure three passports came back through the window to me. SUCCESS.......
As you can tell getting a visa to Brazil had it's challenges. We had a lot of paperwork and hoops to jump through. Through it all I kept thinking of two things, thank God I am doing this in English and not Portuguese; and I thought of all the millions of people around the world who today also where trying to get papers to travel. I never doubted I would get a Visa, I just did not know what I would have to do to make it happen. I am one of the lucky ones, as a US citizen I am blessed to have the freedom and power to travel. I have the means and the ability to be accepted in most every country. Not everyone is so blessed. Many are trying to escape torture, poverty, war, etc. to find a better life. They may not be as lucky as I was today. My story presented challenges, however, my life was never in danger, and I always believed I would get what I wanted. Not everyone is so lucky. So tonight I am grateful for my privilege and my freedom and I pray for all those around the world who do not have the same.
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| Sirikit, Carolyn, Sr. Isabelle, Joanne, Sr. Hyun Jung |
Advent is a time of waiting and preparing. Here in New York I have been preparing for my mission to Brazil. I have been waiting to be sent overseas. In the waiting and in the preparing I have found a peace and a calmness. So this advent I have a new understanding of the season. I am able to embrace the moment and enjoy my time here at Bethany.
