Time and Prayer

On one hand, much time has passed since my last post; yet when I consider all that has transpired in that time, it suddenly seems very short.  How is that possible?

First, lest this be as far as you read today, let me ask you to pray for the Mark Lounsbrough family.  They are in transit to the States as I type due to a sudden lapse in Mark’s mother’s health.  In addition to emotional hardship, there are many logostic details that need to be addressed, both now and in the future.  Mark is a professor at SBC; others will now have to assume his responsibilities.  David, Becky and Mark’s third child, is a junior at the Fortaleza Academy; as a teacher, I can confirm that “make up work” is neither fun for the student nor the teacher.  The list continues, as I hope your prayers will for this family and others affected by this recent development.

Please also be in prayer about my visa.  I have visited the Federal Police several times in past months to prepare my application for my permanent visa.; however, I was suddenly informed during a recent visit that I was NOT allowed to transfer my visa into a permanent one.  Apparently, in addition to types of visas, there are additional categories within those types; and my category disqualifies me for application.  Of course.  So once again, I find myself in limbo due to my Brazil visa.

This, of course, has had a dramatic and direct affect on my current situation.  Most significantly, it was necessary to cut my time short at SBC and move back to Fortaleza to facilitate visits to the Federal Police in attempt to resolve this situation.  Please pray for wisdom and clear direction.  I have many significant decisions to be made over the next several weeks.

In the meantime, I continue to learn other lessons.  One of the things with which I have struggled most during my missionary journey is luggage - it’s not the weight, but the wait.  I do not enjoy living out of a suitcase.  I dislike having my belongings packed up in boxes and stored all over the world (well, okay, only in two different countries).  When I say that, I’m referring to more than just decorations or furniture.  I miss having resources and materials that would be useful to me, especially my books.  Now, just when I had planned to become “permanent” and finally unpack those boxes, I find myself packing new ones.

And it’s not just packing up things.  It’s hard to pack up my ministries as well.  A month or so ago, I wrote about a formal counseling opportunity with a young mom from SBC.  During our last session together, while I was encouraged by the dramatic change in her attitude, I struggled entrusting her to the Lord’s care knowing that she would no longer have the weekly encouragement, teaching and accountability provided by our time together.  God, however, gave me a special blessing the following evening to remind me of the changing power of His Holy Spirit.

But that story will have to wait for another time.  Until then…