Last week we were blessed with some great news! Africa Transformation Network (ATN), the NGO that we are working with in Rwanda, was granted permanent registration! This has been a long process that others have labored for these past 15 months. Praise God it’s here.
My small part in this NGO will be to teach basic – advanced computer skills to empower people to get better jobs and education. It’s my part in helping rebuild Rwanda after the genocide and a vital aspect of the government granting me a work permit visa to stay in the country.
Now that registration has been granted, it was time to apply for my work permit. I spent several days getting all of the documents ready (I love paper chasing!), put everything together and headed with Charles to the Immigration office.
We waited for an hour until our “number” was called and then went to the desk to submit our documents. I was told to go to a different office to pay the fees, so I left Charles with the paper work.
When I returned Charles was shuffling papers and had a puzzled look on his face. The “receiver” of passport applications told him that my duties for ATN did not line up with my diploma. My “duties” were to coordinate basic-advanced computer application training. We labeled it ICT (Information Communication Techology). But my diploma said that my degree was in “Business Administration”? Where was my “ICT Certificate or Diploma”? “I can’t teach something that I don’t have a diploma or certificate in.” So, my application for a work permit was refussed.
Over the weekend Charles and I reworded my contract of service. Before I was going to be an “Information Communication Techology Training Coordinator.” Now, I’m going to be a “Business Administration Application Training Coordinator”.
We printed out the new forms, docs, etc. and had Justin (ATN’s VP) sign them yesterday at worship. Then, this morning, with prayer in our hearts and minds, we returned to the Immigration office for a second try.
The Lord blessed us with a woman of peace. She asked a few questions, took our paperwork, gave me a receipt for the applications and said “We will contact you.” That was it! Now, we are praying that the work permit will be granted so that we can finally have legal status in Rwanda.
I just love paper work! Now that my work permit paperwork is finished, guess what time it is? China Adoption paperwork renewal time………..
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You’ve only been there a few months, but in my book you have already earned an
MPA
Masters in Paperwork Administration!
You know the Africans were the creators of this great new degree program.
Keep up the great work and the great attitude!
Hummmmmmmmmmmmm There has to be a lesson in all this repetition of calling you to do paper work and redoing and going back. Suppose when you get the lesson, the paper work will disappear.
Makes me ponder on what I am being called to do over and over to get the lesson. Opps. I think I know. Love you Son, Mother, your partner in prayer and yours’ and Christine’s Mission (holding your arms up!
Congratulations on completing registration of Africa Transformation Network. Sam and Nancy Shewmaker were at our care group yesterday and told about all the work required leading up to this accomplishent. Love and blessings to your family, Don