In our last update, we shared an urgent prayer request: our Mexican residency visas were up for renewal, but a particular high-level official was suddenly rejecting documents which have always previous been accepted. If our applications were denied, it would mean restarting an expensive four-year process before we could receive permanent residency.
A last-minute letter from Social Security did not satisfy this official, so we were out of options. The local Immigration office suggested we apply for a new kind of visa – one based on having children born in Mexico, who are therefore Mexican citizens. This seems to be working for the kids and I, but we do not yet know if Amy’s application will be accepted. However, we were allowed to pay for a portion of the process last week – an encouraging development! We expect the final decision any day now, and will share the end result with you as soon as we hear it.
Our extended time here in Mexico has been productive. We have started homeschool, planning for our Las Moras house progresses well, and I can finally tackle an over-sized backlog of paperwork! Though our planned schedule has been upended, this unexpected transition is proving a double-blessing: a necessary opportunity to wrap up old projects before moving on to construction, and the ability to take life at a reasonable pace… perhaps for the first time this year. As always, God knows what He is doing, and we trust His planning over our own!
After our visas are resolved, we will head north to El Paso and continue working on these projects until October. We had intended to visit those of you in the Midwest during this part of our furlough, but these changes and delays have made it necessary to postpone those plans. We are grateful that we need not try to accomplish all of today’s work while on the road for two months. Rescheduling this time to see the rest of you is still very important to us, and we will do so as soon as the Lord allows!
Perhaps the most important part of our coming time in El Paso centers on Amy’s health. In recent months, a milder form of her prior post-partum depression symptoms has returned. Amy has less energy, needs more sleep, and day-to-day decisions can be more challenging and overwhelming than normal. We are grateful that God has made this need clear, as this is not where we want her to be as we begin ministry in a remote mountain setting.
Once more, we see that even this frustrating delay with our visas is actually God’s loving provision for us – granting us a natural window in which to get Amy the help she needs. There is a doctor in El Paso who will see Amy once we get there, and we ask that you join us in praying God uses her to reveal and correct the physical cause of Amy’s symptoms. We know God is at work through all of this, growing our faith and displaying His sufficiency in our lives!
We are excited to share that our coworkers, Rachel Chapman and Katie Moore, are back in Las Moras! Returning a couple weeks ago, they have heard some encouraging reports about the past few months from the believers – who has continued to meet twice weekly to pray and read the Bible. “We didn’t sing,” one lady shared, “because we couldn’t remember the music… but we read the words to the songs!” It is so encouraging to hear how God has been at work in the young Nahuatl church, and we thank God for faithfully sustaining them through His Word.
Praise God with us!
- The Nahuatl church, though facing opposition, continues to thrive. Keep praying for our new brothers and sisters in Jesus!
- Our team is once again able to encourage the believers face-to-face. Translation, literacy, and more continue progressing!
- God has provided time for our family to work (and rest!) in El Paso, though we neither planned it nor knew it necessary!
Ways you can pray:
- That our visa renewal process come to a successful conclusion, leaving Amy sufficient time with her doctor in El Paso.
- Ask God to restore Amy to full health, both removing her symptoms and correcting the underlying problem.
- For my mom, Tracey: recovering from knee replacement surgery. Physical therapy and pain management are difficult!
Praying for complete rest and restoration of Amy’s health. Fully realizing her recovery may take longer and complete restoration could be 90% going forward. Holding you all close in prayer and trusting in our loving Heavenly Father whose plans are known to Him alone. Hugs to all, Susie
Thanks so much, Susie! Your prayer is such an encouragement to our whole family. We know God is at work, and doesn’t waste anything He permits in this life – it all goes to make us more like Jesus!
Yes. Continuing to pray. So much for which to be thankful. You are an encouragement to me, and so many others that you choose to see God’s fingerprint in your lives, especially during confusing, difficult times.
God is so good.
Blessings,
Ron
Thank you for those kind words, Ron – we’re really grateful to God for His kindness in ensuring we have that perspective. He’s been so faithful to bring us along a step at a time, sustaining us in the middle of whatever circumstances. We know His faithfulness will never fall short!
Praying for your family as you face each challenge…knowing that God will bring you through each challenge and show you that He is in control and knows all circumstances. And, that He will be glorified throughout!
Amen! Couldn’t ask for anything more.
Praying for you guys. May God’s peace be with you in the process.
Much thanks, Jeff. Wish we could see you while in El Paso as in days past, but we’re also grateful for the new direction in which God has led you and Joy… Lord willing, we’ll see our paths cross again this side of Heaven, whether here or there. 🙂
Jordan and Amy, I will be in prayer for your requests. I’m glad that God has given you some insights into the delays and what His purposes might be in that. Also, we will be in prayer for Amy and her doctor visits, and for God to show you both what His truth/way is in that. We love you guys and appreciate your service in this battle for His Kingdom.
Thanks so much, Ted. Right back at you guys – we love you guys and are grateful for your whole family. We’ll look forward together to seeing what God does through all of this!
Holding you all in prayer that the Visas be granted, that Amy fully be restored to good health, and that you are able to complete the visiting in the U.S. that you had intended to do. None of this is beyond Father’s reach. May His grace be with you!
sylvia
Thanks so much, Sylvia – and also with you! Thank you so much for interceding for us.
Good to hear what’s going on with you. I have been praying for you for a couple years. Read about Amy’s immigration problem in the Ethnos360 news I get on email. You could email your prayer letters but it’s just as easy to get it on FB which I can get on my phone. I can always go to your wall to see if anything new from you if FB doesn’t give it to me. I have been surprised at the # of missionaries I found on FB, even older people.
Thanks so much for continuing to pray faithfully, Lois – we are grateful for you! Let me know if you want that email heads-up, I can get you an automatic email notification every time we post a new update so you don’t have to go looking for them! I know I always prefer that. 🙂