EnidSong

By Enid Ning

A Canadian citizen living in Tonga on a visitor’s visa, I was helping establish a new campus of YWAM’s University of the Nations on the main island of Tongatapu in that tiny South Pacific kingdom. Like all of the University’s staff, I worked on a volunteer basis and received no salary or compensation, instead living on donations from people at home who believed in what I was doing. For the summer, however, I was to go to Australia to staff a communications course at another campus of the University in Canberra. Eventually, I would be appointed to lead the same course for the first time, in Tonga.

University staff in Canberra sent me detailed instructions on applying for a study visa to Australia, but I flippantly tossed them aside. Since I was an unpaid volunteer, I figured I would apply for a visitor’s visa like the one I had in Tonga, unaware of the much more stringent requirements for visitors to Australia.

I booked my flight to Australia through New Zealand so I could stop in New Zealand for a day to meet with Rosalie Pedder, also affiliated with the University of the Nations. She had developed a unique high school Equivalency Seminar incorporating learning styles and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, which I felt would be relevant to my work in Tonga.

Not long before my flight, I received a letter from the Australian Embassy informing me that my request for a visitor’s visa had been rejected. Despite my Canadian citizenship, as a single female living in Tonga, I was apparently considered a high risk for overstaying! There wasn’t much time left, so I went into high gear. Digging out the clear, detailed instructions from Australia, I followed them to the letter and submitted the proper application for a study visa.

The day before my flight, I called the Australian Embassy to find out what was happening with my second visa application. A stern voice at the other end of the line said coldly, “We cannot possibly have your visa ready in time. You will have to change your flight.”

Disappointed, I offered a polite “Thank you” and disconnected, then began to dial the airline to change my flight. As I dialled, a big “NO” seemed to be rising up through my chest from deep down inside me, making it difficult to continue. I prayed and asked God to help me do what He wanted. Strangely enough, as soon as I had explained my predicament to the airline representative, the line went dead, convincing me that God did not want me to change my flight. Although the airline representative called back right away to help me re-schedule, I now assured her quite definitely that I would stay with my current flight arrangements.

Still, I was frazzled. If God would not let me change my flight, I supposed I would have to deal with staff at the Australian Embassy face to face. I ran outside and discovered a truckload of people getting ready to go to town. I clambered aboard, and during the long ride in argued with God and asked Him why He was putting me in such an impossible situation. I hated confrontation and would much rather give in than argue with anyone, especially about something so practical as a visa. He reminded me that He was greater than the Australian government, then placed a clear thot in my head. You could apply for your visa in New Zealand. As a Canadian citizen, I did not require a visa to New Zealand. I thanked Him for that thought and felt somewhat comforted.

I went up to the Australian Embassy and spoke with an official, who once again assured me very firmly that it was impossible for them to process my visa by tomorrow morning.

“But I have to be in New Zealand for a meeting tomorrow!” I protested.

The official looked bored. “If you bring me a letter that says you have an important meeting in New Zealand before one o’clock, we might be able to help you.”

I checked my watch. “But it’s one o’clock now!” I exclaimed in disbelief.

“I’m sorry then, we cannot help you,” she said mechanically and coldly, summarily dismissing me and turning away.

“Wait!” I cried, suddenly remembering. “I can apply for my visa in New Zealand! Is it possible?”

The lady turned back to me, staring at me hard, and faltering a little for the first time. “Just get the letter and bring it here.”

“Even if it’s after one o’clock?” I asked, still confused.

“Yes. Just bring it here when you can.” This time she really did turn away and immediately began to serve the lady behind me.

I rushed over to the only shop where I could send a fax, and sent it off. Miraculously, half an hour later I was back at the Embassy clutching the precious letter I had just received from New Zealand.

“Thank you,” said the same official, who received it after I rang the bell. “I cannot promise you anything, but we will try.”

I went back to the campus, still very troubled and frazzled. My flight was tomorrow, but I still didn’t have my visa. Everything seemed so up in the air. What should I do now?

“What would be the faith thing to do?” I asked myself. “If I have faith, I will pack my bags and be ready to go tomorrow.” Despite my feelings of uncertainty, by the next morning I was all packed and ready for my late morning flight. All I needed was my visa.

Moli, the Tongan in charge of our campus farm, kindly drove me downtown to the Australian Embassy. I felt frustrated and anxious as I saw the imposing structure once again.

“Pray for me to be nice,” I asked Moli. Moli nodded and held his hands together to show me that he would be praying for me.

I rang the bell, and the same official appeared.

“Here it is,” she announced, handing an envelope to me and giving me a big smile as if all along she had wanted to give me the visa. “Have a nice trip.”

“Thank you,” I stammered, amazed.

I tucked the precious visa safely in an inside pocket and ran back to the car. Stopping briefly at the campus (close to the airport) to pick up my luggage, we sped toward the airport and I got safely on my plane, still marvelling at God’s impeccable timing and His unquestionable authority over the Australian Government!