Ready or not, Here I Come!

Time to repack my bags, return the borrowed car, and say my final goodbyes. That's right, I'm headed to Namibia! Seven weeks to the day since I found out my temporary visa was denied, I finally got approved for a 2-year work permit. So next Tuesday I'll catch a flight and spend the next two days hopping airports on my way to Windhoek.

I've gotten so used to being in waiting-mode, that it's interesting trying to reorient myself back into leaving-mode. Despite the delays, this has actually been a really good time to invest in relationships here, continue researching and learning in preparation for ministry in Namibia, and allow my faith to go through some necessary growing pains. Through this process I've come to learn that just as God is glorified by providing in answer to our prayers, so also is He glorified in our faith and trust in Him while expectantly waiting for that provision to come.

Practicing Patience

I'd planned to arrive in Namibia one month ago today. I was going to be involved in a preaching conference last week and an Easter conference next weekend. I was going to start researching and visiting youth ministries in Namibia and reconnect friends and co-workers from past trips. But according to God's plan, He still wants me to be in NH right now. I know that because that's where I am and I know "He will accomplish all His good pleasure" (Isa 46:10).

The latest on the visa situation is as follows: Apparently there's a huge backlog of pending applications for work permits at Home Affairs, so the only real news I have is that they're still working on it. I have a few other friends who are also still waiting on their approvals, so I know it's not just me. My co-workers at NETS are checking in on a regular basis, so as soon as something comes through they'll let me know and I'll let you know.

Thanks for your patience and continued prayers about this situation. We continue to trust that for God this is no big thing, nor is it out of His plan. It's not like they somehow messed up His plans and now He's scrambling to figure out what to do. He will accomplish all His good pleasure in His perfect timing.

Still waiting

Still no news from Namibian Home Affairs. Still praying and waiting on God's perfect timing to get everything worked out. In the meantime, I'm doing my best to take advantage of this time I do have. I went to a musical and a state hockey championship that some of my youth groupers were involved in. I've gotten to see a few friends I haven't seen in ages who I wouldn't have connected with if I'd left when I planned. I'm starting to work on learning some Afrikaans and getting a head start on writing curriculum. I'm getting my body clock a little closer to Namibian time by going to bed earlier and rising earlier. And I'm learning patience and trust in God's timing. I read this quote recently that sums it up pretty well:

"Sometimes God has better things in mind or something different in mind for us than what we have in mind for ourselves. The long and short of all of it is that if I believe that God is good, then I need to accept whatever happens to me in life as being a gift, and allow Him to take some of the things that hurt, allow Him to take some of the things that sting, some of the things that I think are going to kill me--allow Him to take those things and make of me the person He wants me to be. It may not be the person I want to be, but it'll be the person He would want me to be." ~Rich Mullins

Delays

"In his heart a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

I was suppose to be in Namibia by now, according to my schedule at least. But God doesn't always work on our time schedule. Last Friday I heard news that there had been issues getting me a temporary work visa while we were waiting for my long-term work permit to come through. There was an appeal hearing scheduled for Monday. But then when Monday came, they heard the appeal but postponed a decision until Tuesday. Then Tuesday came and still no decision. So the new plan is to postpone my departure indefinitely until we get word that I'll be allowed in the country, either with a temporary work visa or a long-term work permit.

Meanwhile that leaves me in a bit of an extended period of transition. I've sold my car, packed my bags, said my goodbyes. So for now I'll stay here, not making any long range plans and living as transient as possible. I'll also be getting a head start working on some youth ministry curriculum for when I finally do arrive. I'd appreciate your prayers for the visa situation to come to a quick resolution and that I would continue to trust God and be patient through the process.

Commissioning

Yesterday morning at Christ's Church, the elders and members of the congregation came around me to pray over me and send me off. Then at the word "Amen" we busted out the tables and crock-pots and the festivities began! We had a nice potluck with members of other local churches coming over to show their support and see me off. I can't even begin to describe how important and encouraging it is to have a solid local church behind me and supporting me.

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off." ~Acts 13:2-3

Opportunity

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demons-fearing Indians, because having a Bible, they were bored with it—while these never heard of such a thing as writing.” ~Jim Elliot, missionary to Ecuador

It's Getting Real

I was going through my box of framed pictures yesterday, removing all the pictures and setting the empty frames in the pile of things to give away. That's when it started getting real. Framed pictures are things that you take to your next residence to hang up on the walls. They're far too heavy and bulky for me to take, plus I can always get more once I get there, but taking the pictures out and giving the frames away is a sign of finality. It means I'm not planning to have walls to hang them on on this side of the Atlantic anytime in the near future. It means I'm not keeping any reserves back home "just in case." It means commitment.

I'm at 95% monthly support. I have a ticket booked for March 10th, only two and a half weeks away. I'm making all my last minute purchases and appointments. Planning going away celebrations. Meeting with friends or talking with them on the phone for the last time. It's getting real.