So you want to be a Missionary???

Kay & Linus in Russia - 1992

As I'm making plans for my return trip to Kenya, I'm reminded that it all begins with a passport. The first thing one WANTS to do is go to a far-off, exotic land to begin their journey as a missionary. It does begin with a vision, but then the work starts. You NEED to get a passport!

Kay's Passport photo - 1971

Clint, 1971

 If you have a passport, you might want to take a look at the expiration date before you proceed on your journey. There are many travelers who begin looking at their passport the night before the trip and find out it's expired or they can't find it. This can be very stressful and very expensive.  If you don't have a passport, it takes, on the safe side, at least two months to get one.

Three words you need to know, cheap, fast, and good. You can only use two of these words. If you want it fast and good, it won't be cheap. If you want it cheap and fast, it won't happen. You get the picture of the example. There are no short cuts when it comes to your passport. The best way is to allow at least two months in order to have your passport in hand before your trip.

"The very first passport Kay's from 1971, her first trip was to Germany, she was only 19-years old.

I have lots of stories about passports, some very good and some very bad. The good stories always come from people who do not procrastinate. The bad stories come from those who delay until the last minute.

Your journey begins with going to the right post office. Many local post offices don't even know where their forms are because it's been awhile since the last time someone wanted one. Another way is to go online to find the forms. One is old school, the other is new school. I'm old school. I would go to a regional post office where they're familiar with passports and may even help you fill out the forms or at least make sure you have the right ones.

The second stop is Walgreens, or somewhere they take regulation passport photos. This takes minutes if someone is available to take your picture. I would get an extra set and keep them with you when you travel; you never know when you might want to go to another country and you have no way to get pictures.

Now the forms are filled out properly, you have your two pictures and don't forget the fee. No fee means another delay because they don't take the excuse, "The check is in the mail." If you have done everything properly, you will get your passport in about six weeks. Good and fast is about six weeks - there is no cheap. If you delay it will cost you a few hundred dollars to have it expedited.

 I'm reminded of my Russian visa experience about good, fast, and cheap which started in England. I had all of my documents to go to Russia except my visa to get into the country. I had been in England for about a week waiting on my visa to be processed from the U.S. I decided to go to the Russian Embassy in London to see if I could get it faster. After waiting outside the embassy for two hours, I finally got to the front desk and a Russian lady asked me, "What do you want?"
I replied, "A visa to Russia."
"How much do you want to pay?" She asked.
"Why?" I replied.
"You want it fast it won't be cheap, if you want it cheap it won't be fast (about three weeks)" she replied.

I got my visa to Russia in about ten minutes but it wasn't cheap. The alternative of three more weeks in England would be a very expensive stay, and I needed to get to Russia to get the school started. As a missionary, you'll find fast, cheap, and good rarely happens. There are no SHORT CUTS!