We hope so! After some time in prayer and in discussion, we decided to go to Kathmandu, Nepal for a month until the FECA retreat in Thailand at the end of January. Then, our hope is to come back in to India mid-February. Although we would have been out of India a little under two months, based on their regulations, because we would not have stayed in India for 180 days in a year (since we came back in June from our home assignment), we should be able to come back in. (We calculated that if we leave by Christmas, we would be a couple of days shy of 180 days.) However, from all the different internet info we're reading, it appears as though the immigration is inconsistently applying the regulations and seem to not be very aware of the 90/180 days rule. They only seem to be applying two month gap and have turned people away who have only stayed in India for a few days and then went out on a short side trip during their holiday. So, it is very possible that we might not be able to make it in mid-Feb and may have to wait until the end of Feb.
Today, we had an all day strike which pretty much shut down life here in our town. There is a demand for a separate state for the Nepalis here and an important official tripartite talk had occurred today. In protest of this talk and a separate state, some Bengali organization called a strike. Meanwhile, in Nepal, the Maoist have called for three days strike which ends on Tuesday (hopefully). It sounds like things have been somewhat violent and we're not sure whether things will escalate or calm down. Our planned departure day is Wednesday. But, if another strike is called, we might not be able to make it to Nepal.
Our bags are almost packed and ready to go. Tomorrow, we'll organize the house so that it is in good condition when we return (and not infested with cockroaches!). We'll know more tomorrow what the situation in Nepal is like and whether it looks as though we'll actually make it out there. Meanwhile, we have been looking at orbitz to see what the airfare costs are like in case we have to go back home.
We'll have a very interesting story to share with Elijah about his first Christmas.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Where to go?
Last week the Indian government changed to rules for long term tourist visas. We’ve always had to leave the country every 180 days, but now every time we leave we have to stay out of the country for two months!
As a result we are scrambling trying to figure out what to do. Initially, our next trip out of the country was going to be at the end of January for the field workers annual retreat. With the new regulations it would mean that we would not be able to return until the end of March. Then, we would have to leave again by October. This schedule will completely disrupt our life and ministry.
So, Paul and I have been discussing with the home office to figure out the best short term solution. What do we do about this February? We calculated that if we leave the country before Christmas, we should be able to come back after the retreat in Thailand. We're looking into the possibility of going to Nepal or returning to the States. There are attractive and unattractive things about both of these options. What we both would prefer is to stay and not have our lives disrupted. At this point, we have no idea in what country we will be for Christmas!
Meanwhile, this situation has caused me to reflect on the Christmas story and Jesus' early days. Mary and Joseph had to leave because of the Roman regulations and as a result, gave birth to Jesus while they were "on the road," traveling, in a stable. It was not the ideal situation or setting to have a baby! Then, Jesus shortly after he was born had to flee to another country. Our situation is nothing dire like Jesus’, but as I consider the possibility of having to uproot temporarily and leave what has become my home, I feel a deeper sense of connection with th
e story of Jesus' birth. How crazy that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born in a stable, laid in a manger, visited by shepherds and astrologers, and soon after had to flee for his life with his parents. Jesus' entry into this world, from a human being's perspective, was chaotic and full of stress. Yet those who were willing to hear this great news, and endure a bit of the discomfort, were able to meet and welcome the King of Kings. I don't know what God has in store for us this Christmas, but I feel as though I have a deeper desire to enter this great joyous occasion, even in the midst of uncertainty.
As a result we are scrambling trying to figure out what to do. Initially, our next trip out of the country was going to be at the end of January for the field workers annual retreat. With the new regulations it would mean that we would not be able to return until the end of March. Then, we would have to leave again by October. This schedule will completely disrupt our life and ministry.
So, Paul and I have been discussing with the home office to figure out the best short term solution. What do we do about this February? We calculated that if we leave the country before Christmas, we should be able to come back after the retreat in Thailand. We're looking into the possibility of going to Nepal or returning to the States. There are attractive and unattractive things about both of these options. What we both would prefer is to stay and not have our lives disrupted. At this point, we have no idea in what country we will be for Christmas!
Meanwhile, this situation has caused me to reflect on the Christmas story and Jesus' early days. Mary and Joseph had to leave because of the Roman regulations and as a result, gave birth to Jesus while they were "on the road," traveling, in a stable. It was not the ideal situation or setting to have a baby! Then, Jesus shortly after he was born had to flee to another country. Our situation is nothing dire like Jesus’, but as I consider the possibility of having to uproot temporarily and leave what has become my home, I feel a deeper sense of connection with th
e story of Jesus' birth. How crazy that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born in a stable, laid in a manger, visited by shepherds and astrologers, and soon after had to flee for his life with his parents. Jesus' entry into this world, from a human being's perspective, was chaotic and full of stress. Yet those who were willing to hear this great news, and endure a bit of the discomfort, were able to meet and welcome the King of Kings. I don't know what God has in store for us this Christmas, but I feel as though I have a deeper desire to enter this great joyous occasion, even in the midst of uncertainty.
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