NEWSLETTER: March 2018

Immigration and fun times

Greetings and salutations from...

The southern hemisphere!!! Not to worry, as you can see from above, I haven't gone too far south of my home in Kampala. Google says: "Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 km) apart."

So what am I doing in Kigali, Rwanda? Well visiting friends of course! But how might I have come here without really mentioning it? That would be because I had three days' notice for this trip. It probably sounds a bit more dramatic than it actually has been. My work permit for Uganda expired on the 9th of March and the new one has not yet been approved. The decision was made Monday of last week that my paperwork was not progressing fast enough so I needed to leave the country so as not to be in country illegally. The plan is to return on a tourist visa tomorrow (Wed. 14 March). So far this seems to be fine as I applied for the visa online and have been approved for that for a full three months. Prayerfully that is what will be granted tomorrow when I return. Followed by more prayers that the work permit will get approved soon!!

Previously I did have some planned fun with friends that allowed for more than three days to plan and excitedly anticipate. One weekend was spent at the Nile River. And another just outside of Kampala. My friend, Cath, came up from Rwanda for the latter. It was another great moment to see friends from different circles meet other friends. 


Top picture: From Kampala when I was leaving work recently. As you can see, the rains have arrived. (The same seems to be true in Kigali.)

   

Left: A glimpse of my excitement to be at the Nile River for a weekend.

Right:Crossing a bridge from one island to another with waters of the Nile flowing beneath. 

  

Left: Kelsey on my right and Cath on my left at a short retreat a couple weeks ago. 

Right:Had some Mexican food at my favorite place in Kigali tonight!!

The time in Rwanda has been quite blissful!! I have been able to spend time with friends that I met three years ago at AIM orientation in Kenya. They have truly spoiled me. Not the least of which includes sharing some of their goodies from their passport country, ensuring my mini wishlist of food to eat was met, letting me have some of their fancy hot chocolate from Europe*, and fully opening their home to me for a week! I picked a novel from their shelf and read all 477 pages in one day so it is safe to say I have been able to disconnect a bit. We were also able to attend a one day conference in Kigali. It was called "IF: gathering." Maybe you have heard of it (especially in America). I had not but it turned out to be such a blessing to me. Videos of the original sessions were projected for many to see. If you'd like to know some of what was taught, then let me know and I'll share some of my takeaway with you. Through all the fun, it has been a bit difficult to be away. Recently a handful of people coming to our region within AIM have been approved to come. (big praise here!!) When this happens it creates a snowball effect of various things that need to happen. With people arriving this past weekend and some others soon to come, it felt like a really bad time to be gone. My good friend and coworker assured me it would be ok. Although I can see the email count steadily growing on my phone, I haven't read messages. (Know that I have an auto reply to redirect people.) I also have not received any concerning text or calls so that means everything is going just fine without me, right? It is continuing on well enough anyway and for that I am thankful. I think that about sums up the last few weeks. How have you been in your part of the world? Are you remembering to take vacation and get breaks? With recent experience, I can tell you that this concept is good and I support it. Warm thoughts** with love, Katherine *It wasn't in English so I think it was fancy but it sure did taste like it was produced delicately and with passion for a tasteful experience in every cup. **It fascinates me how quickly the body can adapt. A year ago I could walk around in jeans and a tshirt when it was 55F (13C). Now? I want at least two shirts and jeans and consider socks if it is below 68F (20C). Thankful for layers and hot chocolate to stay warm in Kigali!

Prayer requests Smooth entry back into Uganda tomorrow as I go with only a pre-approved tourist visa (not a work permit) That my new work permit would get approved and finalized soon Thankful for friends to host me on such short notice and the ability to finalize logistics quickly to travel (Thanks to mom for clearing things up with the bank!) Thankful for a banking system that watches for fraud even if it is just me trying not to be fraudulent with my immigration status. For grace from myself and others as I find my way back into things at work after a few chaotic weeks of planned and not planned time away Thankfulness for time with mandatory vacation that forced a break for things and time of other activities  That the refreshment that is felt would have a long lasting effect and I wouldn't be overwhelmed with stressors too quicly