Waiting is difficult. There are a lot of things to do, but only so many times you can say ‘Goodbye!’ Having been commissioned in a moving service in Stepps Parish Church on 26th October it would be ideal to get my things together, pack my suitcases and get on a plane. But I don’t yet have a visa.
Obtaining a visa to travel to Israel has several steps at the best of times, but in a time of Covid it seems even more difficult. The visa will be issued for a month, and I’ll then need to renew annually.
My paperwork was accepted in Jerusalem on 26th October and a receipt issued, but the okay to travel to London with original documents has been slow coming. I am trying to wait patiently.
Every time I meet someone they ask, ‘When are you travelling?’ and I have to explain I don’t yet know.
I think of all the people I’ve known over the years waiting for different sorts of papers: leave to remain, leave to travel, leave to work or to study. I have new empathy. It is hard to start anything or finish anything. It is hard to concentrate. It is impossible not to try to second guess what might be going on.
I am sure permission will come soon enough. And when it does I will gather my papers carefully and travel hopefully. But in the meantime, I wait.
Stepping out of the boat... 