beta lessons in service
What was to be a simple visa application exercise for a new student, J, for his family to visit him turned out to be an Internet browser nightmare experience ten times over. Interestingly enough, I've already had a similar experience helping ex-roomie A (whom I dearly miss) with her entry visa, but nothing could portend what was to come this time. Three arduous days of constant filling in and firing blanks (I can memorise passport numbers that aren't mine now) — only to be given error messages each time — I must have chalked up more than 12 hours of data entry and held my rising impatience towards having to handle both a rather anxious husband and a browser that was just. Not. Helping. Especially since time was tight — they'd booked their flight for 3rd July and their daughter's tuition class was beginning that very day upon touchdown.
So I finally used my cousin's laptop (argh, I shake my fist at elitist browser-sites) and successfully submitted 1 7/8 of the 2 visas... The 1/8 left me hanging with an error message popping up AFTER my payment had been officially made, invoice and all. I felt like tearing my hair out but that wouldn't have been ideal because I don't have much hair to begin with. So much for thinking that I'd have this week as a breather; that I'd finally be able to have a proper holiday after the non-stop action that I'd been doing since school closed for the year. And I was really looking forward to time with my family before I launch into holistically preparing for my vocal exam this Friday (342pm!)... Nada. Acceptance came for 1 visa; rejection for the other. Which didn't make sense because a little girl couldn't possibly travel to Singapore on her own, and my appeal wasn't being responded to because of the weekend.
To cut the long story short, I made a trip down with J to ICA this morning and perhaps it should have been done earlier. Many things to thank God for: A blessed time of sharing and learning about his journey to SBC and how God worked in his life; and during the appeal I could see that the lady was a Christian, so I slipped in hints of what we were doing — and she was very thorough and kind in allowing me to use my driver's licence instead of my IC (which was kept snugly in school ^^").
30minutes later: APPROVED.
Many times over the course of these few days I'd stop myself midway as the temperatures rose, take a deep breath and ask myself: Why am I doing this? Bad browser experience aside, the human side of me was starting to feel that were a chore. Then it also struck me that this is part of what being a servant is. Being humble, being patient, loving a brother-in-Christ whom I barely knew yet was here in a foreign land as one who had the Father, and the same mind — to serve Him and His people... And after listening to his sharing today, I was duly reminded that all the effort I put in was not for anyone but for the glory of God. Displaying love, displaying unity in Christ, helping a fellow servant settle into a foreign land and focus on being equipped to serve the same God — these bits of effort and setbacks were just 5 punishing days that were contributing towards eternity. Most importantly, regardless of whether I am in the Student Council or not, this is my act of service as one who follows and preaches Christ: Christ, our God who came in human form, considered Himself nothing and remained obedient till death on the cross. And even washed the feet of His disciples.
Thank You, Father, for teaching your daughter a valuable lesson this week.
So I finally used my cousin's laptop (argh, I shake my fist at elitist browser-sites) and successfully submitted 1 7/8 of the 2 visas... The 1/8 left me hanging with an error message popping up AFTER my payment had been officially made, invoice and all. I felt like tearing my hair out but that wouldn't have been ideal because I don't have much hair to begin with. So much for thinking that I'd have this week as a breather; that I'd finally be able to have a proper holiday after the non-stop action that I'd been doing since school closed for the year. And I was really looking forward to time with my family before I launch into holistically preparing for my vocal exam this Friday (342pm!)... Nada. Acceptance came for 1 visa; rejection for the other. Which didn't make sense because a little girl couldn't possibly travel to Singapore on her own, and my appeal wasn't being responded to because of the weekend.
To cut the long story short, I made a trip down with J to ICA this morning and perhaps it should have been done earlier. Many things to thank God for: A blessed time of sharing and learning about his journey to SBC and how God worked in his life; and during the appeal I could see that the lady was a Christian, so I slipped in hints of what we were doing — and she was very thorough and kind in allowing me to use my driver's licence instead of my IC (which was kept snugly in school ^^").
30minutes later: APPROVED.
Many times over the course of these few days I'd stop myself midway as the temperatures rose, take a deep breath and ask myself: Why am I doing this? Bad browser experience aside, the human side of me was starting to feel that were a chore. Then it also struck me that this is part of what being a servant is. Being humble, being patient, loving a brother-in-Christ whom I barely knew yet was here in a foreign land as one who had the Father, and the same mind — to serve Him and His people... And after listening to his sharing today, I was duly reminded that all the effort I put in was not for anyone but for the glory of God. Displaying love, displaying unity in Christ, helping a fellow servant settle into a foreign land and focus on being equipped to serve the same God — these bits of effort and setbacks were just 5 punishing days that were contributing towards eternity. Most importantly, regardless of whether I am in the Student Council or not, this is my act of service as one who follows and preaches Christ: Christ, our God who came in human form, considered Himself nothing and remained obedient till death on the cross. And even washed the feet of His disciples.
Thank You, Father, for teaching your daughter a valuable lesson this week.
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