On Tuesday 4th August, Veni dropped me to the Seremban bus station just before 8am to catch a bus to Ayer Tawer which is 317km by road. I was told it would be 4 hours but after breaking down for an hour at a roadside stop about one and a half hours out of Ipoh, I was eventually dropped off at the end of Dr Wong’s driveway 9 hours later. Still not feeling 100% I snoozed most of the way then crashed again that night.
I had a very restful week of recovery reading and catching up with Dr Wong. On the Friday I went online to see how my Indian visa was advancing and was shocked to see it was declined! Wow! I hadn’t expected that! But why should I be surprised with all the hoops I had to jump through applying for it! There was no explanation but I had a feeling it may have been because I was asking for 60 days. Also my reason for going I had put was to visit friends and relatives. I think putting Tourist may have been better as tourists tend to spend more. LOL
I wasn’t going to give in easily. I really f
elt the Lord would open the door. All along there had been hindrances to prevent me from going to India. Twice I had nearly gone home to nurse mum while she was unwell. So early Sat morning I decided once again to try online for the e-Tourist Visa (e-TV).
I had done some research previously and found that Australians can receive a 30 day tourist visa on arrival but after more research found out that this information is very deceiving. You first have to apply for an e-Visa online then if approved you have to take a printout of this visa with you to show immigration on your arrival
I filled out the e-
TV but hit another snag when I went to pay for it ($84.49Aus). The card I was using needed a security code which was sent to my mobile phone in Aust! Unlike my other card which sends an email, unfortunately this card is not always accepted. Hmmm my Australian secretary was still at work. Praise the Lord for Louise who is looking after my mobile for just this reason. The visa application would not be processed till the finance was paid. Fortunately Louise was able to assist that evening and the money went through without a hitch. Now the wait. The information I received stated it could take up to 72hrs to process the visa and being the weekend I didn’t expect to hear back till at least Monday but to my shock and total surprise, I received an email early Sunday morning with the following results: (some text has of course been deleted for privacy reasons)
INDIAN e-TOURIST VISA (eTV)
Dear SALLY,
Your application for e-Tourist Visa (eTV) has been processed with following result.
Application Status :- Granted
You can arrive in India between 08/08/2015 to 11/09/2015. (Date format is dd/mm/yyyy).
Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry
Note:
– Please carry a copy of this e-Tourist Visa (eTV) at the time of Travel.
– e-Tourist Visa (eTV) once issued on arrival is Only Single Entry, non-extendable , non-convertible.
WOW! I was ecstatic! Thank you Jesus and thank you to all those who were praying for a breakthrough. I am now looking for a miracle to be able to change the dates of my return ticket which I booked in advance hoping for 60days. The guidelines for an eTV doesn’t permit re-entry under 30 days which means I am looking to the Lord for where to go from here. I have one month free before I’m expected home so do I go to Sri Lanka for a month (anyone know friends or family I could visit there?), if I can change my ticket I could go anywhere! Back to somewhere in Asia, Africa, Broome to visit my sister, Sydney to visit friends, how exciting….. let’s see where the Lord leads. Don’t you love an adventure? Keep your eyes on this space….
In the meantime I have just received news that an old friend from Malaysia is returning home to visit. Since I knew her in the 80’s, she has moved and married in the UK. It would be so lovely to catch up after so many years.
This weekend I have had the pleasure of attend both an Indian wedding feast and a Malay Hari Raya dinner.
Hari Raya is one of the biggest holidays in Malaysia, it’s like Chinese New Ye
ar or Christmas where many return to their family home to celebrate. It is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims and is the day that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of dawn-to-sunset fasting. Harri Raya is the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast and literally means ‘celebration day’. Ramadan has communal aspects to it with many of the basic values of the Muslim community, such as empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness and patience being expressed more during this period. During this time families and friends seeking forgiveness from each other, visiting ancestors’ graves, saying prayers at the mosque and visiting relatives and friends to feast traditional Malay delicacies like ketupat, rendang, satay, lemang and curry.
Hari Raya is a joyous celebration that involves happy feasting in homes everywhere where family members greet one another with Selamat Hari Raya.
Pictures: 1. Egg Yolk Frangipani 2. Dr Wong & Chua at Indian wedding 3. Bride & Groom with guests 4. Pilipino’s at Hari Raya 5. Rendang, rosewater jelly, glutinous rice cake and rice cubes
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for a miracle with my Indian visa application. Thank you for all those who stood with me in faith believing with me.
I am rejoicing in all the opportunities to catch up with so many of my old friends during my travels and all the blessings the Lord has showered on me during my travels. For all my friends, their hospitality, abundant generosity and love.
Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and timing over the next few weeks as I travel to Penang then on to Phuket to visit friends whom I’ve been believing to visit since leaving Aust. Pray that I will also be able to connect with my friend Dai Lee whom I haven’t seen for over 20 yrs.
Pray with me for the Lord’s will concerning my visit to India, the ability to change my return ticket at a reasonable cost and for His leading on where to go after this.
Please pray for ongoing good health and safety on my travels in Malaysia and Thailand.
Thank you all for your continual prayers for my mother who is being well looked after in Perth by the Baptist Home Care. Please continued to keep her in your prayers.