The problem with waiting is that it goes against our very nature. As an American we are very punctual. It is part of our culture. If I tell you that I will be there at 9 AM, I will be there at 8:55. This causes problems when we travel cross culturally. The Nepali culture does not have the same sense of time that we do. If they tell you they will sign a VISA next week, it may be two weeks, three weeks, or three months before they sign it. As an American this drives me crazy.
There is something to be learned in this time of waiting, it is called flexibility. This is something that every missionary needs to take with them when they travel overseas. God is using this time of waiting to strengthen my flexibility and my patience. I know that God has chosen to allow this delay. I just pray that it will not be wasted. Please join us in praying for our VISA to be approved and that God will use this time to better prepare us for the challenge that is ahead of us.
Sometimes when we are completely out of control we find ourselves at the mercy of God. It is a good place to be because we sometimes fall into a false sense that we are in control. The truth is that we are at God's mercy always. I need to be reminded of this often.
Today I heard from the personnel director at the United Mission to Nepal. The Nepali government is so busy with the war that they have yet to approve my work VISA. What does this mean?????? It means that we will not be leaving for Nepal on September 30th as planned. It means that I am reminded yet again that I am not in control and that God is.
I am tempted to get frustrated, but an e-mail from a friend this morning reminded me that this is not my plan, its Gods. This was not my idea, it is Gods.
Sometimes I feel like Noah must have. The ark is built......Where is the rain????
Please keep our VISA in your prayers and I will keep you updated on any changes.
Many of you have asked me if we have a departure date from the US. The reason that we have been so uncertain up to this point is because of our VISA situation. The Nepali government did not want to issue two work VISAs for the same job. This is a problem because the current VISA holder for my position, Alan, is scheduled to leave Nepal in December. We were hoping to overlap for a few months so that I could learn the job prior to his departure. This was explained to the Nepali government and they have tentatively agreed to allow my VISA on October 1st.
Alan is a retired British police officer. He has been serving in Nepal for over a year and has been a huge asset to the United Mission to Nepal. Following the break down of the cease fire Alan has been very busy. Much of the fighting has moved from rural areas to urban areas and the capital city of Kathmandu has seen the worst fighting since the wars inception in 2001. Please pray that our VISA will be approved on October 1st as planned. Please pray for peace in a country that has already experienced so many hardships.