GAINING ENTRANCE

Neal Pollard

Many of you know that we have been on the proverbial pins and needles awaiting the status of Dale’s desired entrance into Cambodia.  Yesterday afternoon, from her first flight connection in Los Angeles, Kathy called me to share the dire warning expressed by Korean Air employees.  Dale’s passport is still valid, but it expires in December.  Entrance into Cambodia is usually refused if a person’s passport has less than six months’ validity.  Only after signing a waver with the airline were Kathy and Dale cleared to take the chance of getting into the country.  What followed was a 13-hour flight to Seoul, then another 5-plus hour flight to Siem Reap.  I emailed the US embassy, talked to our missionary, Phanat Ouch, by phone, and contacted the State Department.  I called the express passport renewal company recommended by the Wall Street Journal.  None of them were able to give me hope or assurance.  So, there was none for Kathy, Dale, or the rest of our group–except the awesome power of prayer.

No doubt, the many prayers were answered.  An official met our group, asking in broken English for “James Pollard” (Dale’s first name).  He was smiling and explained the situation.  He was going to write a letter, explaining the brief duration of Dale’s visit and vouchsafing for Dale.  With the full itinerary Wes Autrey had the presence of mind to bring, the letter gave Dale sufficient proof to be allowed to stay and engage in the mission trip.  To call us relieved is to sorely understate it!  It turns out that Korean Air had contacted the general manager of its airline operations in Cambodia, J.P. Hong.  Mr. Hong was the friendly, smiling, and helpful man who met them.

If Dale had not been able to stay, two team members would have had to make that long flight back home.  Money would have been wasted, the trip would have been dampened, and the return flight would have been grueling with no rest in between flights!  It was a potential nightmare.

It made me think.  All of us are on a journey to an ultimate, eternal destination.  Regarding heaven, few will gain entrance while the majority will be denied (cf. Mat. 7:13-14).  What is lost by failing to enter far, far exceeds what Dale faced in being refused entrance.  Will we have one to “plead our case” there?  In that case, it will be a matter of whether or not we have confessed Him with our lives (Mat. 10:32-33).  He longs to serve as our Advocate and Helper (1 Jn. 2:1; Heb. 13:6), but He will not force Himself upon us.  We must seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  Are you prepared for that journey or journeys?  Will you have Jesus to plead your case?