The power of an American passport

After 97 days of work, countless hours in various governmental buildings, a folder full of documents, and 2 trips to Quito (4 hours one-way on winding roads up the Andes Mountains) I have my visa! I (along with 3 other missionaries here) have been granted 2 years of residency in this beautiful country.

This process has been much longer than I expected it to be and finally came to an end on Friday.

(opening scene: it's 5:30 in the morning, 5 missionaries- 4 visa applicants and a generous car owner/driver- head out of Misahuallí for Quito)

We arrived to the Quito Plaza Gubernamental at 10:30. We met up with our lawyer who then handed us giant folders with all our paperwork. We turned them in to the officials and then waited. About an hour later, my lawyer came out and informed me that my tourist visa had expired a week ago. Technically speaking, I was in the country illegally.

*record scratch*

This is something I was aware of and had tried to fix earlier in the week by asking for an extension (90 more days in-country) at a local immigration office where I was informed that my tourist visa wouldn't expire until Friday- incorrect. They also told me that I would be able to apply for temporary residency under a recently expired tourist visa with no problems- also incorrect.

So, I made the trek to the Quito immigration office (50 minutes in Quito traffic) where applied and paid for my tourist visa extension. With this magical paper in hand, I made it back to the plaza and turned it in.

Cue: more waiting.

I then get called in, answered some questions, paid some application fees, and then I got another magical paper. I just about collapsed in relief! I thanked the lawyer for all her help, then left to go meet up with the others who had already finished and were doing their "Quito Grocery Shopping."

Then I got a call from my lawyer letting me know that I was missing the second document I needed. I could not get my visa until I had both the necessary documents.

*long sigh*

So I headed back (for the third time that day) to the plaza to wait yet another hour for the last document.

Needless to say, it was a long day.

But I now have my visa, which is worth its weight in gold.

-FIN-

While getting my visa has not been a walk in the park, this whole process has made me appreciate my position as an owner of an American passport.

This process has frustrated me to the point of wanting to pull out my hair at some points, but at no point was I worried about getting kicked out of the country. Even when I was caught 'red-handed' in a government office as overstaying my visa, it was simply another obstacle to overcome, nothing that caused me concern.

I always knew, that at the end of the day, I would be able to get this visa. It may take a couple tries and involve jumping through various, unforeseen hoops, but it would come.

I then think of all the Venezuelan refugee families I've met while in Ecuador who would love to be in the position that I am.

I think of all people who are fleeing the dangers of their home country and looking for a secure place to begin a new life that will not be easy, but at least would be safer.

So many people can spend years (as opposed to my months) jumping through hoops without the help of a lawyer (that I did had) with no guarantee that they will be allowed to stay in a place where they have created a home.

Now, I know very little about the visa process in any country (except Ecuador). I am not suggesting that this should be a quick and easy process that allows everyone to live anywhere, nor do I believe that this experience makes me an expert in all things regarding immigration. I don't even have a deep theological revelation to share. I've learned that my frustrating adventure in getting a visa was truly nothing compared to the average visa application experience. This has increased my compassion for others facing far more difficult circumstances than me.

I long for the day when every tribe and every tongue sings of His salvation in one voice. United before Him. No divisions between us as we sing "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Santo, Santo, Santo."

Amen.

Thank you for following me on this journey. Thank you for your prayers.

• Please join me in giving thanks for my visa and the visas of my fellow missionaries. He is faithful to equip us to do His work.

• Please continue in your prayers for the small groups I'm currently leading in Kachiwañuska and Awatino as well as the one we're trying to start in Misahuallí. Pray for soft hearts and open ears.

• Please pray for health for students and staff as we have had a couple students test positive for COVID. The school is getting used to practicing the procedures set in place at the beginning of the year for quarantining sick students and close contacts. So far, all have recovered well, glory be to God.

• Please pray for me and the missionary team as we enter into a holiday season far from family.

Bendiciones!

-Katie