I went to the Egyptian Consulate in Nairobi, Kenya to get
a visa. I had been told it would take at least two days to get a visa for Egypt.
Another Maryknoller had to wait four days. That same day I was starting a five
day retreat after which I had a reservation to fly back immediately to Tanzania.
At the visa desk I explained to the Muslim immigration officer that I was
starting a five-day prayer period that was as strict as the Muslim prayer
periods so I respectfully asked for a "same day" visa. He smiled and said visa
arrangements usually took two days, but he would ask permission so that I didn’t
have to interrupt my prayer time.

    The officer returned to his desk almost immediately to
tell me that my visa to Egypt would be ready in one hour so I didn’t have to
interrupt my prayers. After some shopping I picked up my visa and went to my
retreat. It’s nice to have a prayer connection!