Since publishing my book, The Missionary Mama’s Survival Guide in early May, my website, Parents of Goers, has enjoyed increased readership. Several times a month, I receive questions from other Missionary Mamas, and I love to respond to them. Since I think you could all benefit from these interactions, I have decided to feature them as future blog posts. Here is a look into a conversation between Connie and myself about visas:
Hello!
I’m the mom of a very-soon-to-be-goer and could use some support. Her flight to leave for her host country is in 6 days but her visa process is delayed and it looks like she’ll have to push back her flight. We’re all experiencing disappointment and stress. I’m only on Chapter 3 of your book. Do you address this kind of situation later in the book or have any advice for us?
Connie
P.S. I’m already being blessed by your book.
Hi Connie,
It is so good to hear from you, and I am glad to give a little support. How disappointing for your daughter and stressful for you! Visas for certain countries are predictably unpredictable. You can submit absolutely everything they require, and then they will ask for something else, or they will take forever to approve it–so very frustrating! I don’t address this in the book, and I don’t claim to be an expert–this is a mama talking–but when our kids were in east Asia, they had both visa and government paperwork problems when they attempted to start a language-learning center. They were never able to get approved for the business because they had the wrong “seal” on their paperwork and didn’t understand how to correct it (most likely there were other requirements unmet, but this is the only one they relayed to me). They also attempted to relocate to another country at one point and, while the rest of their team were approved as “international students”, they were denied a visa for their daughter because she couldn’t be a student. After much effort and many prayers for insight, they eventually had to make the hard decision to let their team move on without them. I tell you all of this to let you know that situations like your daughter’s are familiar to many Goer parents and they are disheartening. Please let me know if she receives her visa.
From Connie: Just want to let you know, my daughter did have to push her flight back six days and her passport/visa just arrived yesterday so she’s able to fly out tomorrow night. Thank you so much for your support! All in God’s timing.
Parents of Goers 