The Continuing Saga of the Missionary Residence Permit

Well, we are home after just over 14 hours to Gaborone and back. We went to the immigration department again to see if we could get something happening with our 5 1/2 month old Residence Permit Application. I actually had the name of a lady I was to contact that might know something this time. As it turned out she had called in sick this morning and so we did not get to speak with her. The end result is good however… they found my son’s application! That means that only my daughter, wife and I are lost in the system now! 🙂 This is definitely progress! Then I was given the phone number to speak to the lady I was told to contact! Another move forward!!

If you want a good laugh read the rest of this post…

At our last visit I was able to find out that they are using a number system to get to speak to a representative. There are a number of windows and to get to them you simply need a number. Unfortunately the numbers are behind one of the windows and are not marked. They do not have a sign, and in fact if you follow the signs direction at the door you will find out you are not using the numbering system and will not be helped. But I eventually figured all of that out on my last trip. 🙂
So when I arrived today I entered in full confidence knowing I was ready for this excursion. (Don’t ever be confident in Africa. :-))
I went to the windows and found the window with the numbers and asked to get one. I was then informed there were two number systems there today…one in the teens and another in the 500’s. The lady asked what I was doing and then announced I needed a number in the 500’s. So far, so good!
I went to sit down but all the chairs were taken so I just stood. Soon a male representative came up to me and insisted I needed a number. I showed him mine was in my pocket and I was waiting for my number to be called. He told me I must sit down. I explained all the seats were taken and he sternly told me to sit down…so I went over the seating section full well expecting to sit on the floor, when someone got up for something and I jumped in their seat. Sorry! 🙁 I was just following orders.
Soon people seated began to move to the open area in front of the seating because they could not hear when the numbers were called. So I moved up also and again we were sent away. When we complained we could not hear the numbers being called we were assured they would announce them louder so everyone could hear. (right :-))
Before I set down the second time I heard a 500 number and realized I was only a few numbers away from being called. This was great! But never jump to conclusions! Getting your hopes up when government bureaucracy is in control if futile, if not downright discouraging! 🙂
I watched as young ladies came and flirted with the male helper and he ushered them to the front of the line without numbers. I considered that approach, but quickly dismissed it as probably the quick way to jail. 🙂
Then I watched as one man controlled 2 of the lines for himself and the folks he ushered to the windows. Those workers behind the windows seemed to work for him. I later found out he was an agent and all the 25-30 people he was putting through those lines had paid him to help. Hmmm, maybe I should hire him too. 🙂 I AM going to talk to an agent on Thursday…enough of going it alone!
It actually took 45 minutes to an hour for each person in the 500’s numbers to get helped. We only had one worker and window for us.
The folks that had the teens numbers were being helped in 4 different windows. Chalk another one up for organization. So the teen’s were flying through and the folks that had hired an agent were going even quicker.
Finally though, my chance had come…I was at the window and just as I started to explain my problem, the agent came over and took the lady away for a bit to help with another person he wanted to get through the line. Stay gracious I told myself. 🙂 Honestly, getting upset is really counterproductive. Or so I told myself. 🙂
When she returned she informed me the lady I was asking about was out sick for the day and maybe for the week. But she would try and find my applications. About 40 minutes later she returned with my son’s application. She had found one of the 3 that had been lost! This was indeed progress! She then informed me that he could not enter the country and would have to fill out a new application. When I asked why, she said he needed his own work permit and proceeded to tell me I was in the wrong department and would have to go to another office. After discussing it with her for a little while ( I am a pro at this now…this had happened last time I was here and they had me chasing around to 4 different offices.) she relented and said I was probably in the right place after all.
She then offered to give me the phone number to the lady that I had originally asked to talk to. That was really a blessing. And so now I am one step closer to talking to someone that might be able to help me with this process.
This has been a real hoot. Honestly I have enjoyed it, even though the trip is a little tiring. I have met many people in the same boat and heard so many horror stories. What a great opportunity to speak with people and point them to the God of heaven who NEVER gets His paperwork messed up, and always is ready to speak to us without a number system. 🙂