Praise for Passports and Pokes

AT the last reading, my passport was couriered off to Toronto. The person there was to go to the Chinese consulate and obtain my visa in order to be allowed into China. Last weekend, with the G20 summit, entrance to the Chinese consulate was denied. However, this past Monday, the fellow was able to get my passport and visa granted.

The government of China has tightened the hold on foreigners entering into the country. Since I am a first time visitor to China, the consulate only granted me 30 days. Fortunately, with the suggestions of people who have done this before, my initial application asked for a double entry into China. I can enter into China twice for a maximum of 30 days for each visit. Because my time in China is more than 30 days, I must leave China and then re-enter.

I am also on a tourist visa. My purpose for visiting China is for leisure and tourism. For that reason, I will not be referring to my true purpose in the blog. I will not be talking about teaching at the university etc (depending on the situation, I may delete the blogs that do talk about employment in China). When asked by customs, I will try and act natural as I tell them I hope to visit the World Expo in Shanghai.

My passport made the quick journey to my hands as I received it my express post UPS on Wednesday. I was very thankful that I did not have to wait till the last minute to receive it. I feel very blessed as I know that many missionaries do not receive such a blessing as they have to wait on pins and needles. Their purpose seems so much more noble than mine and yet I received my passport and visa so quickly: an act that I can only define as grace.

The next thing I needed to do was obtain my immunizations. Like many places here in Canada, the health care is not as quick as we would like it to be. Once again, I was the benefactress of God's grace. On Monday I called into the international travel clinic where a nurse is able to give guidance, instructions and caution along with the poke in the arm to ensure my health's safety. I was able to get in on Tuesday due to a cancellation.

I spent an hour with the nurse where she advised me on various aspects of living abroad for a few weeks. I also received a typhoid fever shot, tetanus and Hep A shot along with a list of over the counter medication; enough for me to become a walking pharmacy. She also recommended that I get a prescription filled by a doctor for a nasty case of traveller's diarrhea.

Once again, I was so fortunate. I asked a doctor friend of mine the best procedure to get the medication needed and she offered to call in the prescription for me. I was able to pick it up that afternoon. She saved me a long wait time at the walk in clinic as well as gave me some good advice regarding medicine and travel.

So, I praise God for the many blessings he has bestowed on me. I am the recipient of undeserved grace and mercy. I know that God has orchestrated the many people to be in the right place at the right time. I am very glad that God is concerned about the "details" in my life which sometimes seem very overwhelming. I just have to remind myself that if God cares about insignificant facts like how many hairs are on my head; then he certainly will take care of the more significant details like getting a passport safely in my hands and the proper needles poked in my arms.