The challenge of visa application

Five people will soon leave the GAZ (Global Action Zurich) team. But Matthias, leader of the team, is encouraged – he has new workers joining the team soon. The European recruits were easily granted residency in Zurich, but complications arose with the visa for Catherine, the Australian recruit, early on a recent Friday morning.

“I was probably the first person to call the immigration office in Zurich,” recalls Matthias, “and my suspicions were confirmed: Catherine’s visa had been sent to London.” So, Matthias called OM Lifehope, where Catherine had been based for six months with the Hope 2 Europe programme, and told her she should leave for London immediately because the embassy would close at 12:00 for the weekend. Her flight to Italy for Transform 2010 was scheduled for early Monday morning. Matthias and the team waited anxiously for word in Zurich.

At 16:00, Matthias received an email saying Catherine had made it to London in time. There, she learned that she would need an entry visa, which would take a few days, but it could be processed in Milano. She would just have to apply first thing when she arrived in Italy.

After nearly three months of working through the visa application, the pressure is gone for Catherine. “Visa applications for non-Europeans are a hurdle to overcome in Switzerland,” says Matthias. Praise God that the visa was processed successfully! Pray for the new GAZ team as they seek to be agents of hope in Zurich.

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.