God's Perfect Timing

 

Bonjour from Montego Bay, Jamaica!

Pah! I am here in Jamaica! I want to thank you all for obeying God, which allowed His plans happen. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Iowa, and Illinois. I am sorry that I am unable to see you all due to the pandemic, but I truly appreciated your kind understanding and efforts to help me with funds and needs to be met. Lastly, I want to thank you for your prayer and sympathy about my grandpa.

Not the Last Minute in God's Eyes

I am here to share with you how God worked everything out perfectly in the midst of chaos, while I was focusing on how everything was happening at the last minute. To Him, it is the right time. God used the challenges to strengthen my faith, to learn how to trust, and to wait patiently for His timing while I worked through my visa application process; and to find the moments of joy no matter what situation I am in. He gave me an opportunity to spend time with my family and friends during the wonderful lessons of the wait season.  But most of all, I cherish my rest in God’s presence during my furlough season.

I stayed with my deaf team for a month to do staff training, and turned my visa application into the Jamaican Embassy, before I returned to the USA in the middle of July. I flew to Dallas, Texas and stayed with my old friend Naomi and her husband for a month and a half, then flew to Illinois for a family emergency due to my Papa’s passing. God brought peace to me and my family over my late Papa. I spent my quality time with my family for two weeks, then flew to Baltimore, MD.

My YWAM leader Carole and I were unable to reach out to the Embassy of Jamaica, so one of YWAM Jamaica staff members was willing to drive 3-hours to Kingston and check in to see if they completed my visa application- September 7th. We learned that my work permit has been approved for three years!  Normally, they will give a year but I got 3 years! I immediately sent my approval letter and my passport for the final visa application to the Embassy in DC.  I hopped from place to place five times in MD and VA areas while I waiting for my passport. I was required to take a COVID test within 10 days of my departure on September 30, but I realized I did not have a state ID.  In MD and VA clinics, they would not allow us to take a test without ID proof, or a doctor’s order. I had to wait for my passport to be ready to pick up so I was able to take the COVID test. I started seeing my departure date come closer and closer. It still had not arrived, that made me a little nervous. But I recalled that God has done amazing things in my past life, praised Him, and remembered the scripture, Philippians 4:5-6:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

I released my concerns into God’s hands and erased “last minute” out of my mind. I put my trust on God’s timing and asked Him to show me another way to take a test. God answered my prayer! My friend messaged me that I can take a COVID test at her workplace without my ID proof or a doctor’s order! Amazing! I took the test on Friday, September 25. I constantly prayed and still enjoyed the time with people who I stayed with. Three days later, September 28th, I received my passport and negative result. All of my requirements were marked off the list, except one last thing- I quickly informed the health office in Jamaica about my negative result.  I was waiting to receive the approval of travel authorization certificate. I finally got the authorization the day before my flight to Jamaica on September 30th! Praise to the Lord! It was very close but everything worked out in God’s plan – His perfect time, not last minute.


Self-Quarantine

My deaf team member, Anna, and I flew together and arrived in Jamaica safely.  Everything went smoothly without any obstacles. Currently, we are self-quarantined for 14 days. We will need your prayers for our health and our transition to work on October 14th.  I look forward to seeing what God has planned for the Jamaicans!

 

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