Visa Update

Eating DimSum with Friends ... $300 HKD

Riding the Star Ferry ... $2 HKD

Visa for Hong Kong? ... Priceless!

First of all, THANK YOU to all of you who are so faithfully giving and praying for our family while we seek to follow God's leading here in Hong Kong. He is faithful, and has definitely shown us His faithfulness through people like you.

The last time we wrote about our visa situation was back in April of this year. At that time, we were basically waiting to see what would happen. There has been a lot happening since then, and we would like to give you an overview of the situation so that you can be praying along with us.

Our family still does not have Hong Kong visas. We haven't actually applied for our visas at all. The reason for this is that we need to have our coworkers (the director's of One Voice for Asia) be our sponsors when we apply for a visa. Stephen and Karen cannot be our sponsors because they have now been denied a visa for the second time. This second time, Stephen and Karen were finally able to talk to a helpful person in the immigration department who told them why they were denied. Basically, they were denied because their non-profit company does not have a track record of enough money moving in and out. We have been waiting with them this whole year and praying that they would get their visas, and then in turn we could apply and get ours. Now we must pray again, but asking God to show us another way to get a Hong Kong visa.

Since finding out about the second denial, we have all been in a state of first shock, then confusion, and finally we are just asking God what to do next. We know that God has led us to Hong Kong, and that we are here in obedience to His leading. We feel that God wants us to continue to trust Him and that He will give us visas in the right timing. He is faithful, and we will continue to wait on Him.
One verse that God has brought to mind while praying about our situation is Psalms 24:1 -
“The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” In a sense, we feel God is reminding us that He has everything in His hands, including the visas that we need. We only need to trust Him.
Our next step is to look for other ways to obtain a visa. That means that we need to find another organization in Hong Kong that will sponsor us and take us on board until One Voice for Asia has enough of a track record to satisfy the immigration department. We would like to find an organization that understands our purpose for being in Hong Kong, and will give us freedom to do what God has put in our hearts to do. We need your prayers for this! We need God to lead us to the right place, and open the right doors of opportunity.

We just wanted to let you know about this situation and ask for you to stand with us in prayer. Thank you for your faithful support. We could not do this without you.

As far as ministry, we are continuing to walk into the opportunities that God brings to us. This past year we have been able to reach out to many friends and also help to disciple people from all over the world. God is faithful! Because of your prayers and gifts, the truth of God's Word and His love has been spread to many in Hong Kong. We look forward to what is coming!

Here are some specific prayer requests:

1.That God will open a door for the right organization to sponsor us for a visa.
2.There is another married couple planning to join us here in Hong Kong at the beginning of 2008. Please pray that their move will be smooth and that God will provide for all of their needs, including a sponsor for their visas.

3.For peace and wisdom from God during this trying time – both for us, and for Stephen and Karen.

4.Tammy will be teaching for one week in a “English for Missions” course – October 29 thru November 2. Please pray for God to give her wisdom and insight as she prepares and teaches students that plan to use English in a missions setting.
5.For our family – that God would continue to protect us, provide for all our needs, and teach us to love Him and each other more.
6.For continued opportunities to speak His truth to those that need it! “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel...” Ephesians 6:19

We would greatly appreciate hearing any words that God speaks to you while praying. Please email them to us, along with your news and prayer requests. We appreciate your partnership!