Come What May

The small brown fans hung awkwardly from the ceiling, the blades spinning viciously as they tried to turn the sticky hot air into something more pleasant.  It wasn't working.  Green walls surrounded me, and it was unclear if they wanted to be the color of limes or the color of sickness.  They were stuck in limbo.  Papers rustled all around me, and the workers tired to ignore me as they went about their business.  Occasionally I would receive a friendly glance... other times it was a curious look.  I even caught a few angry-looking eyes.  I first told myself that it was because I was the only white person in the room... but then I began to wonder if I was simply a nuisance in their work space, despite the color of my skin.

Dr. Joseph spoke quickly and with what seemed a great deal of urgency to the person at one of the desks.  Another man stood close by and occasionally commented on the conversation.  The three of them searched through a small stack of papers, sometimes comparing one document with another.  Sometimes they would look over at me as they conversed, and I knew they were talking about me-- although I don't speak Tamil.  I wasn't scared though.  I knew Dr. Joseph had everything under control I trust him.

After the hustle and bustle in the senile-green room and several attempts at ATM's to get the needed money, I found myself sitting in a long, steamy hallway.  I sat among others like myself-- people wanting to get into the confused-green room, hoping to get the service they needed.  I read my book, Little Bee, to pass the time.  The Nigerian girl in the book pulled at my heart strings as she told her story.  Although our lives are worlds apart when it comes to differences, I found myself connecting with her in unexpected ways.  I found myself wishing that she were sitting next to me, keeping me company on my journey in India.  I think we would make fine friends, actually.

Suddenly it was my turn!  I was whisked away to an area across from the addled-green room, and was quickly seated across the desk from some sort of Indian government official.  Dr. Joseph remained with me, much to my relief.  The official only asked me two questions:  What's your name? and Date of birth?  Although these were easy questions, I found myself unusually flustered as I answered them.  Was it because I could hardly understand him through his accent?  Or was it because I wanted so badly for this process to be successful, and I didn't want to do anything to mess it up?  Well, I passed the two questions with flying colors (minus the muddled-green color across the hall).  After signing several documents, we were sent on our way.  Their final words to us were that it would take 10 to 15 days for things to become finalized-- then we could return for the official stamp.  Although I wanted to trust their words, a part of me felt skeptical about the timeframe... After all, it took 3x the suggested amount of time to receive the original-- that is, my visa.

Yes, we are talking about my Indian Employment Visa.  Those who were close to me last summer understand the painful wait I encountered when applying for the visa.  Now, a year later, I am facing yet another complication with the visa as I am trying to extend it-- but I am hopeful!  For the longest time we thought I would need to leave the country and apply for a different visa in order to finish my service here-- I was imagining a trip to Nepal or Sri Lanka.  Although those adventures would have been grand, I was excited to find that there was a small chance at extending my visa!  And after todays experience, I dare say the extension is well on its way!!

I still like to think that God has had a hand in all of this.  I don't understand why everything had to be so complicated last year, making me postpone this journey... and I don't understand why the renewal process of my visa had to be so convoluted... but as 2 Nephi 2:24 says, "...all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."  So who knows what will happen-- if my extension will be approved in the next 10 to 15 days or not.  But I put my trust in the Lord, and I believe that whatever needs to happen will happen!

Much to my delight, it was pouring rain as we drove back to campus-- and it continued to rain for some time after our return!  I loved every drop of it.  I was surprised to find the Parakeet room (my sweet room) slightly flooded, but I didn't mind-- it came from the rain!  I played with the puddles outside my room, as well as in my room, and I thanked God for this tender mercy.  I reflected on the fields we passed during our drive back, and I recalled the many cows and goats along the way... and the people... so many people huddled in normal as well as obscure places to stay as dry as possible.  As inconvenient or bothersome as the rain could have seemed to some, we all need it-- the crops, the animals, and the people.  We need this rain.

So rain or shine, come what may!  Or June... or July... or even August!  I technically have all summer ;)