Nigerian Visa Application

Two lazy, last days in Cape Town when I caught up with things on my computer.  The weather was overcast, cold and with occasional drizzles of rain, so it was good to be indoors.  Wednesday afternoon Rob also took me for a spin in his striking red Cobra.  Boy could she move and such a gutsy engine with a typical V8 raw. Then the inevitable happened. The cobra struck back! Even a V8 Cobra has a deadly bite. I was posing beside her for a few shots when she struck burning me on the back of my leg with her external exhaust. I was bitten by the Cobra!  Remedy; an ice pack and prayer. Both evenings Rob and I experimented with cooking and on the Wednesday night, my last night in Cape Town, Helen joined us to say goodbye.

Thursday I was up early to say my goodbyes before Helen and Rob left for work. I finished the last of the packing, putting all my valuables in my hand luggage as there are accounts of locks being picked and valuables going missing in luggage that has been checked in.  My friend Yvonne then rang to confirm my travel plans as I was exiting the house.  I closed the automatic garage doors and front gate throwing my keys through the bedroom window as I raced to get out before they closed, my luggage waiting outside the gate.  Just as I had exited the bus approached.  I’d missed it!  I flagged him as he was passing and by the grace of God he stopped right outside Rob’s gates for me to load my bags.  Thank you Lord!

I was safely on board heading for the airport.  I had three more buses to take with a break at Table View for a coffee at McCafe.  When the bus pulled into the airport station the MyCiti bus pass showed I was short on funds, not to worry with a 30 rand refund it would be covered.  I went to the kiosk beside the station to be told they no longer gave refunds.  Opps!

I had arrived at the airport early so wondered around to familiarise myself before sitting and relaxing while waiting for the check in to open.  Once again I was unable to use the free airport wifi as I think too many people was accessing it, so I gave up.  I chatted to an elderly American traveller who seemed to be doing something similar to me but mostly in Europe.  I think he must have had more funds, he also had the high US dollar on his side.  LOL

Checking in this time was not a problem.  One bag for the hold and the other for cabin luggage and my small backpack with water which, because it was a domestic flight would not be confiscated.  As I went through the bag check to the departure lounge I was stopped and asked to open my backpack for further investigation.  Oh dear, what now!  I had packed my small soundbox in the bottom, it was this which concerned them until they saw what it was and waved me through.  Praise the Lord!

It wasn’t a long flight, one and a half hours, over mostly grasslands and farms.  On arrival at the Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg (Jo’burg) I found my bag and repacked it. I had previously been warned of bag snatchers and pickpockets and told to put all my valuables in my suitcase when I had landed.  Suitcases were not such an easy target as they were too heavy to snatch and run.  So out came my clothes and in went my computer bag which I had hidden in my small carryon luggage.  The exchange made and suitcase relocked I headed to the door and rang Josua who was picking me up after work.  I gave him a missed call which indicating I had arrived and received a SMS saying he had forgotten he had a meeting that afternoon so I should find a café and relax, he would call when he was 10 minutes away.  I misread the message to read he was 10 mins away so I waited outside Gate B for over an hour.  I didn’t really mind as there was plenty going on to watch.

Airport staff were in uniforms as well as the security guards and armed police.  There were taxi’s and their drivers looking for customers, private cars and flashy, luxury cars with personal drivers pulled up to collecting their passengers.  Some of the drivers were chatting to the other drivers while waiting, people lingered around waiting to be picked up or smoked outside the doors of the non-smoking area.  Then I saw two scruffy guys walk up, one pulled out what looked like an identity card and hung it around his neck.  Hmmm they looked a bit sus!  I wedged my bags tightly beside a pole and stood alert.  Not long after I noticed the armed airport police marching one of them away. My suspicions had been correct.

It was dark by the time Josua picked me up, it was a relief to see a friendly face and be on my way. Josua and his wife, Marené, had kindly opened there home for me to stay while in Jo’burg.  I was so appreciative of their offer and lovely to meet their children Alika, Misha, Marguerite and Josua Junior who was nearly 2yrs old.   I must admit they had to put up with me during a very nerve-racking time but they were very gracious and understanding.

I had hoped to have received all the papers I needed to apply for the Nigerian visa the next day, Friday. I was waiting on an invitation email and personal identity of Grace’s brother in Nigeria.  It seemed my emails had not been received so Grace had forwarded them on and had sent me the email with the invitation letter but not the ID papers.  I didn’t have very much data on my phone and it ran out before I was able to receive the last email.  The next day, while at work, Josua bought more data for me which enabled me to receive all the papers I needed, or so I thought.

I took a bus and train into Pretoria and walked 20 mins to the Nigerian Embassy.  At the gate I was told visas can only be processed on Monday and Wednesday.  I asked if I could have the forms and was told that the application must be filled out and paid for online.  Hmmmm ok that shouldn’t be too difficult I could do it over the weekend and come back with everything on Monday…. Or so I thought!

On route back to the house I did a bit of shopping.  I needed another converter plug to enable me to use my power board. South Africa has a different plug to the three I already bought while in Asia.  I also looked high and low for Lucas Paw Paw ointment.  I eventually found it online, a small tube of Lucas Pawpaw ointment 25g 721 rand or $74 Aust!   Hmmm maybe I’ll wait to buy a tube when I get back to Australia.

Back at the house Marené suggested I use their computer and internet.  It took me quite a while to find the correct site where the form was.  I filled them in, printed them out and as it was late decided to pay the processing fee on Saturday.

Saturday when I did try to pay with my MasterCard, a secure code was sent to my Australian mobile number which meant I couldn’t retrieve it.  No problems, or so I thought, I just clicked on the link that required other personal information which normally works.  This time it didn’t and a message ‘insufficient funds’ came up.  Well I knew that was incorrect as I had more than needed on the card.  I tried two more times before giving up in frustration.  Fortunately I was able to print out the form which I did putting it with the rest of my papers.  I still had time to try again with the payment before Monday so I sent a message to Louise who had my phone.  She was out at the time and didn’t have my phone with her (of course) so we arrange a time on Sunday when we were both on line so she could send me the code.  I also thought if I tried on my computer the IP address would be different as maybe this was also contributing to the problem.  I’d had a similar problem when I tried to log into my email account from Marené’s desktop!

Saturday evening I had been invited to join the family at a friend’s braai (BBQ).  It was a lovely evening with three families and lots of wonderful South African food which seemed to be served non-stop throughout the evening starting and ending with a desert! I think I must have put on a kilo over night!

Sunday I was up early to rendezvous with Louise and a secure pin.  I tried to connect my tablet through the phone hotspot but my computer wouldn’t go online till I rebooted it.  Ok now we were both online, the site was slow to load but finally I was able to re-enter all my details.  Oh NO!  my card was declined!  A little message came up to say there could only be one attempt with the same card please use a different card.  I didn’t have one!  And the requirements were that I had to use a card with the same name as the application to help prevent fraud and the embassy did not accept cash or card payments!  WHAT!  Praise God there was another way.  I was asked to submit my latest bank statement from my card and a copy of my passport details.  Once these were uploaded and submitted they would look at my request to be able to use the same card.  I tried to upload these documents but was unable to.  I tried several times but still no success.  I then sent an email to the support team of the Nigerian visa website.  There was nothing else I could do and now I was late for church so suggested the family go without me.

During all this fluffing around I decided I would leave for White River today, Sunday.  I could try again from there and wait for the support team to contact me and then return to Jo’burg with all my papers and payment completed.  So I booked on line for a mini bus leaving at 4:30pm.  A conformation letter came through to say I had a seat.  At least something is working.

Having missed church I took some time to seek the Lord and in tears of frustration and disappointment I sought His leading.  I wanted to go to Nigeria but most of all I wanted to know if it was His will or was it just my desire that was driving me on.  I recognised I was once again trying to do it in my strength and not just trusting the Lord to open the way if that was His will.  I had tried my utmost to do all in my power to have the papers ready by Monday but it seemed I was being blocked at every turn.  It was now time to hand it all over to the Lord.  I do believe we need to do what we can eg. Filling out the forms and collecting all the necessary requirements but I had done all and I was out of options.  During this time of waiting on the Lord.  I had a thought or should I say the Lord dropped a thought into my mind.  Why don’t I go to Uganda first?   Yes, why not!  I didn’t have to go to Nigeria first.  I had already planned to visit Uganda and the Wakisa Ministries on route home so why not before I visit Nigeria.

I switched the computer back on to search if I needed a visa and what requirements I needed.  Because I was in South Africa google presumed I was South African, I had trouble finding the requirement for an Aussie passport holder.  Finally I found the link for the Ugandan High Commission in Pretoria and the information I was looking for with a link to the forms which I could print out.  With these forms my passport, a passport size photo, and money for the visa I could submit them at the High Commission and receive a visa in 7 working days!  Wow! What an easy process compared to the Nigerian application!   As I was taking the bus to White River today I decided I’d take the forms with me, fill them out then return later to submit them.  God willing during this time I will have heard from the Nigerian support team, who may have a solution to my payment method.

My bags where packed by the time Marené return to pick me up for the fellowship spit roast being put on after church.  I was exhausted and enjoyed just vegging out and zone out as everyone around me spoke Afrikaan.  I had the peace of the Lord again.

Later that afternoon Marené dropped me at the airport where I took the mini bus to White River. Although my stay had been filled with frustration due to the visa application I had enjoyed being part of the family, getting to know a few Afrikaans phrases while the children practices their English.  I was amazed at how much Margnerite, the four year old knew.

Pictures:   1. View over Cape Town   2. Red Cobra    3. Flying over Cape Town    4. Jacaranda trees Joburg    5. Marena and the kids   6. Spit lunch after church   7. Josua and kids    8. Tree with thorns

Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for safety while traveling.

Praise Him for Josua and Marené who opened there home and hearts, who took me in and helped me with all the frustrations of applying for the Nigerian visa.

I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to visit my friend Yvonne in White River and to see all the work ASM is doing here in the local communities.

Please continue to pray for me to know the Lord’s will regarding the visa to Nigeria and Uganda.  For all obstacles to be removed if it is the Lord’s will for me to visit Nigeria at this time and for my application for a visa to Uganda to be accepted and to go through smoothly.

Please pray for my safety while in South Africa both physically and for my few possessions.

Pray with me that the Lord will continue to bless Mum with good health.