Stuck

I left the island on Wednesday, headed to Singapore to have a 2-week vacation with my parents and sister. For months I had been planning a reunion with a good friend in my supply town before she returned home. We were even booked on the same flight Thursday night--she had a layover in Singapore. We had a great 30 hours hanging out together before we hopped in a taxi for the airport, 2 hours ahead of our flight as recommended. After sorting through several luggage complications at check-in, we proceeded to taxes and immigration. A man behind a desk looked at my brand-new passport and asked me when I last entered the country. I racked my brain to remember.

"Where is your old passport?" he asked.

"I don't have it with me." I said, with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as he began to question me about various things. Eventually he waved me on to get a pass for paying an exit tax. I thought everything was ok, but wondered if I should run back to the guest house where my old passport was (thankfully I didn't leave it on the island!!!).

In immigration, I was ushered into a superior's office, and told that I definitely needed my old passport. By this time there was less than an hour left until departure. I called the guest house, and someone graciously retrieved my passport and brought it to me--just after they called our flight to proceed to the waiting room. I handed my old passport to the immigration man. After thumbing through it, he said, "Your multiple exit/re-entry permit expired in April. You cannot leave the country."

Suddenly I felt like I was in a dream (or nightmare?). It isn't real. This isn't really happening. It can't be. Am I going to cry? No, because this isn't really happening. If I do cry, will this guy let me get on the plane? There HAS to be a way out.

There were less than 30 minutes left. More brain-racking. Who could I call? Surely there was a way to fix this. Well, there wasn't. If I got on that plane, I would not be allowed back in the country. My passport needed to be sent to the capital and I needed to apply for a permit. It was 8:30 at night. The next day was Friday. Even with same-day shipping, nothing could be done until Monday--government offices are only open half-days on Friday, and are closed Saturday and Sunday.

So here I sit, stuck in my supply town, Monday morning finally approaching. I have reason to hope that I can obtain a permit in 1-2 days, then wait for my passports to be mailed back to me, and hopefully the airlines will have an open seat for me. School is out, so a lot of people are traveling now. Despite the kafuffle, there are some things to be thankful for, like:

1. As long as I fly within 2 weeks of my original plans, the airlines will not charge me extra for the flight changes.

2. I was refunded my airport tax.

3. My parents now live in Singapore, so they are not going anywhere for a while. Charis is planning on taking some classes there this summer, so I will still be able to see her, even with the readjustment of my plans.

4. I was able to see another friend who was headed out to the island to keep C company in my absence.

5. I am super tired from these last 2 months of island life. It wore me down more than usual. My body and spirit are welcoming pre-vacation isolation and rest. It will be even more enjoyable to see my family on full tanks of gas.

Please pray that the permit is obtained quickly, and that the airlines has a seat for me! Thanks.