17 Chapter Fifteen: Trouble (1/2)
No work of G.o.d goes unchallenged, and we were about to experience a series of major attacks as we continued to settle down in California. Having filled out and filed all the necessary paperwork to the immigration and naturalization department through the Minnesota church, we were patiently awaiting their response and the completion of our permanent immigration status. After almost a year of repeated phone calls to the Minnesota ministry that yielded no updates on the status of our application, we took matters into our own hands. Sometime during the year 1996, we ftnally decided to call the INS directly to inquire about our pending application. What we found out next was bad news, the ftrst major disappointment since our arrival.
The INS proceeded to inform us that they had requested some additional information from our sponsors quite a while back, and had sent the church some necessary forms for us to ftll out and return. The forms had to be completed and returned to the INS by the given deadline stated in their accompanying letter to the church. In an attempt to hinder G.o.d's work, the spirit of ”cold feet” had apparently struck again. The church conftrmed receipt of the INS request but, for reasons best known only to them, had changed their minds about completing the process. They ignored the official request and had abandoned our application without ever notifying us. Had they simply informed us of their change of heart in a timely manner, we could have promptly replaced them with new sponsors from our Southern California contacts.
This was a very signiftcant blow that would take over a decade of our lives to resolve and rectify.
Because the fault on this occasion was not with the INS, and they had not received a response to their request by the deadline, our application was denied. Shocked to suddenly discover that our status and future had been placed in great jeopardy by this irresponsible act, we turned to the only true friend we knew we had, Jesus.
Unable to take up any employment position due to the incomplete paperwork, any hope of secular work to support our ministry efforts were now temporarily impossible. This we would soon discover was only the beginning of ”woes” during 1996. Only a year after giving up our ”all” to go after G.o.d's will and purpose, it appeared we were losing far more than we had antic.i.p.ated. However G.o.d's word reminded us of His promises and what our faith response should be.
”Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. ”He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” (Psalm 91:14–16 NASB)
”I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
”For our struggle is not against ßesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of G.o.d, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:12 NASB)
We made the decision to forgive the senior pastors and other persons involved in this debacle, based on an act of our will, choosing not to dwell on the great difficulty their actions had now placed us and our young children in. This did not come easily, but we knew that for us to receive G.o.d's best, we had to let go of all of our anger.
”Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” (Mark 11:24–25 NASB)
”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NASB)
I did not know at that point how important these scriptures would later be to me. I would need these words again in a few months during that same year to forgive a far greater crime. The principle of faith known as forgiveness would be my road map out of an extremely deep pit that lay just ahead.
W hi l e wo nde ri ng what to do to re solve o ur immigration dilemma, many people advised us to just return back to England. Some of our family members in England also strongly desired our return. We, however, could not go back on G.o.d's clear word to us and deny all we knew He had done to get us thus far. All doors for now appeared to be closed on our ability to obtain the correct paperwork.
Being British citizens, the obvious, natural, and easiest solution would be to return to England, but this was not even close to being an option. We knew from all the principles of faith that G.o.d had taught us that going back on His clearly revealed and conftrmed word to us would be out of His will.