THANK YOU to every one of you who prayed for my visa appointment today - I am thankful and give praise to the Lord that I have been granted a 1-year visa, so look forward to being back in the USA in May. I felt your prayers and was able to stand in a place of trust, rest and faith that whatever the outcome, it would be perfectly the will of God.
What I had thought would be a quick appointment though - I left Christine & Alyssa in the downstairs basement of Starbucks having said I would probably be back around 11am - ended up being, yes a quick appointment (about 5-10 minute interview), but with 4.5 hours of waiting prior to it! I was not allowed to take my phone or anything to the appointment, so I had no way of getting in touch with them to let them know what was happening. Neither could I let Ann know, who I had arranged to meet with around 11.15am. It was certainly an experience of cultivating and growing patience in us! At first I was a little frustrated that I had not brought some work with me (I could have taken some of the papers I need to read), but was grateful that God is not confined and that there was a good long stretch of time to pray and just be with Him in the waiting. Christine and Alyssa too were able to read and work on school work; and dear Ann wandered around the area, left a few messages on my phone, and was about to go home when I got back at 3pm - so we were delighted to be able to meet up and have 'cream tea' with her.
Our first attempt to get on the train to Hastings saw us rushing and getting on the wrong train, so we got off at the first stop, sought to praise the Lord as we went into training in running with heavy bags, and got a train back again. We then took some time to visit Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden before trying again...this time with success. So we are now in Hastings, on the south coast, tired and a little weary from the day (we were seeing a little today of how being in the city, in the shops, around the advertising, etc. begins to pull our attention and gaze away from the Lord and how the darkness subtly presses in), yet thankful for God's hand on us and His favour towards us.
May the Lord bless and refresh each of you saints!
With love,
Clare
Claire, that's so exciting about the Visa! I have been wondering about that; it was a prayer request that I was aware of from before you guys even left for the trip! I can imagine how frustrating, yet patience building, waiting for an unexpected 4.5 hours must have been, and without a phone! Way to let the Lord take your time and make it His!
ReplyDeleteNow, in regards to the pictures, thanks for the dog-pic-shot-out! Also, Christine, where did you get that red dress? Its pretty! I don't remember that being on your list of things the Lord told you to take with you!
Love you guys!
Well- I got it at Marshalls. And it was on the list. I think I did bring somethings that weren't technically on the list because I waited so long to pack and panicked! BUT, the red dress was on there and I left a back pack in Florida and only brought what I thought the Lord wanted me too! Thanks for making sure! ;)
ReplyDeletehaha, I had just never seen it before. thanks for the clarification :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis is just a test to see if this comment reaches you with help from my technical advisor, Christine! We have been so blessed to have the mission trio staying with us, and pray that God will continue to pour out His blessings on them as they travel to Cornwall.
lots of love Alison