The sign greeted me, 'Welcome to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar' + I wheeled my luggage through the crowded border crossing. The Burmese Immigration Office was not as modern as the Thai one I'd just left; and when the officer looked at my passport, it appeared he couldn't really read it, but somehow he put it into the copier + something that looked like a visa popped out. And then he asked me for 500Baht? I knew Baht was Thai money, but why was Burma asking payment in Thai Baht? ... I was suspicious... of course, you're always suspicious in a new country, but this was also drug country + I didn't know if this was government or drug cartel procedure? Then 1 of the other 4 officers sitting around smoking + drinking coffee said, 'Or 10 $US!' and my suspicions grew even greater! Was this for the actual visa fee or just their coffee money? But my host friends' friend who was escorting me across the border nodded her head, and I reluctantly pulled the required US bills out of my wallet + handed them over. The officer smiled, handed me the paper that looked like a visa in exchange + promptly plopped my passport in a drawer, while explaining in a broken smattering of English that I would get my passport back in 2 weeks when I crossed back into Thailand. Now I've traveled in quite a few different countries + it is a virtually written rule that you never leave your passport behind with anyone for 2 weeks! I protested!
But my escort shook her head, seemingly in agreement with the officer?
I hesitated: everything in me insisted I wasn't going to leave without my passport. Only after my escort rang my host friends on her cell + they indeed assured me this was proper for staying in this special Burma zone, the notorious heroin-infested Golden Triangle of South-east Asia, did I reluctantly leave my passport behind.
You have to be flexible in different countries or you break.
You have to trust God + your friends to know how + what things are done when you're at the mercy of what seems highly questionable, especially when it seems to contradict all you've ever learned and understood. And so I'm now in Burma... without my passport, trusting that when I leave that morning a couple weeks from now, my passport will be there for me to continue my journey?!
... kinda like trusting God for your ticket to eternity, eh? ... please pray!
Amazing grace, Henry! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes, I receive that!
ReplyDeleteWow, my heart would stop along with everything else inside of me, I f I that was me and no passport! Yet we know Gods got you in the palm of His hand and the support of trusted friends and prayer warriors, glory to God the most Hight!
ReplyDeleteThank you! for writing + praying! I'll try to keep you all posted.
DeletePraying every day, Gods cover and to Hide you in His glory,,,, and a whole lot more
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your prayers are effective!
DeleteWow... what a story...i went to Myanmar without a passport but it was because karin people took us into isolated karin villages along the border. I agree with your flexibility comment...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had quite the time yourself!
ReplyDelete