Yesterday was an important day for us.
It began a month ago when Fred was unexpectedly offered a temporary position with Mongeral Seguros e Providências. Impressed with his work and attitude, the company created a new position for him to keep him on staff, and yesterday Fred was contracted as an administrative assistant. This is a tremendous blessing as it will provide much needed income for us as a married couple. Although Fred serves as the youth pastor for Igreja Batista Bíblica Maranata, it is a small church that cannot even afford to pay its the senior pastor. The financial poverty of this economically depressed neighborhood mirrors the spiritual poverty present, which is why Fred and I are committed to serving in Edson Queiroz; and just as God proved Himself faithful to provide for us through this job offer, we believe He will continue to do so in the future.
From the moment we first learned of Fred’s job possibility a week ago, it affected our progress towards his visa. In fact, it halted the visa process altogther since there was no point in requesting a visitor visa for Fred if he was not going to be able to take time off from work to travel to the U.S. (And who gets a month of vacation after only four months of employment?) Our calculated resolutions to the situation were bittersweet with both blessings and disappointments to be had regardless of the outcome; but we found God’s grace sufficient as we committed the situation, the participants and the result to the Lord.
Even so, I was eager to learn the outcome as it would be a defining moment, one that influenced whether Fred or I started packing. In a wonderful “abundantly more” answer to prayer, God proved that “the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord,” and Fred’s new employer agreed to an extended time off for his trip; but it wasn’t until we were filling out his visa application that Fred and I recognized the amazing providence of the Lord’s timing. Thus far, the visa process has seemed needlessly slow; however, Fred’s new position is a great advantage as it provides a “pull” that ensures his return to Brazil, a significant concern for all visa requests to the U.S.
So it was with hearts full of blessing that Fred and I sat down together last night (via webcam) to fill out his application for a visitor visa; but our excitement was soon challenged by static, cut-off sentences and dropped telephone lines. This was particularly frustrating as clear communication was essential to carefully answer each of the questions.
Just one “wrong” answer on an application can have a detrimental effect on a visa request, including future ones! (Believe it or not, one of the greatest counts against Fred and me is our engagment.) Thus, in preparation, Fred and I sought much counsel from missionaries, friends, acquaintances – even a senator! Based on their advice and our own experience, we carefully mapped out who would request Fred’s visa, who would provide surety for him, etc. When we finally reached the last page of the application, I thought we were home free. (Thought is the operative word in that sentence.)
Sometimes the Lord’s ways are mysterious and sometimes they’re not. Nope, sometimes they’re like a punch in the nose, very obvious. Last night was one of those times. After agonizing over each question to provide truthful yet non-incriminating answer about the details concerning Fred’s trip, we reached Question #37 which asked directly and very specifically which, if any, of Fred’s family (including his fiancée) lived in or was a citizen of the United States. There’s no subtle or diplomatic answer around that!
The Lord, of course, did this intentionally, not by changing the application right before our eyes, but through our ignorance that the question even existed on the application! Our truthful answer to this question sends Fred into his interview with one strike - one very big strike – already against him. As such, God has forced me to keep my expectation in Him.
It’s hard to understand but visas are often times granted or denied on whims. One’s visa experience depends almost entirely on the person handling it. (For example, I have a definite preference when I go to the Federal Police in Fortaleza; the younger man who walks with a slight limp is much more friendly and helpful than the older, balding man with glasses and a mustache.) The outcome of Fred’s visa request depends heavily upon those conducting his interview. If they wake up on the wrong side of the bed that day, there’s little he can do, but that’s exactly where God’s power and sovereignty come into play. As I mentioned earlier, “the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord.” Although a man might verbalize the outcome, it is ultimately God who will decide whether or not Fred receives his visa.
And ultimately, regardless of the outcome, God will be glorified, which is His primary purpose. Should God continue to open doors, it will be an amazing testimony to His power and control. Should He shoose to close this one, He will still prove Himself mighty through His provision of grace and by His power to use this process as a tool of change and growth in our lives. Perhaps some of you have grown with us.
With all that said, please continue praying with us for Fred’s visa. His visa interview is scheduled for 10:00 AM on June 28 (45 days from today) in Recife. We are asking God for a favorable outcome but ultimately we desire His will. Please pray also for Fred’s protection on the way and during his stay. Recife is located in Pernambuco, another state, and Fred will travel there by bus for his interview. It will be a long trip, and safety is always an issue in Brazil.
We decided that by the end of all of this process, we’re going to have so many significant dates and anniversaries to commemorate (How many times are we going to get married?) that we’ll end up celebrating the whole year round! Maybe that’s not such a bad deal, after all!