Thank you for your prayers for us last night and throughout this journey. The visa exit interview was this morning at 7:30 am Ghana time. Reid had set our alarm so we were up praying at 2:20 am asking for the Lord's favor. All day today, we waited for the wonderful news that his visa was granted and we could make our plans to bring him home soon.
Some friends called and sang, "Happy Birthday" to him because today is also Overcomer's third birthday. A few friends called, and several posted on FB telling us they were praying. We are so grateful for your prayers and we know the Lord has heard them.
However, Overcomer's visa was not issued today. "Why not now?" we ask.
God answers:
"For my thought are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways, My ways," declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than the your ways,
And my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Our Power of Attorney must return to the Embassy with more documentation to their satisfaction. Right now, we have no idea how long this will take.
This morning, I felt like the Lord was gently reminding me of the name He had given us for our son, the one I'm using on this blog, Overcomer. He will be an Overcomer, and we will face adversity in bringing him home. We must stand strong in our faith that the Lord has a perfect plan for all of this to be resolved. However, my heart is that of a mama now, and I long to hold my baby!
Who is holding him now? Did he even know today was his birthday? Is there any spark of happiness in his sad eyes? Oh, my heart hurts because I thought we would be together soon.
We need prayer for wisdom and discernment. We are anxious to know more details. We don't know how to proceed with travel plans, or...not. And for our hearts to stay encouraged. Reid and I have both battled frustration, discouragement, and sadness upon learning this latest delay. We again recognize our weapon to fight for Godwin Derrick is only through prayer! Will you please pray with us? May the Lord move this mountain. We have the faith of a mustard seed to see it accomplished.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of my dear friend, Ansley. For the first time in four years, yesterday was the first February 13th, I have not spent the day in tears and overwhelming sadness. All day long, I was doing things Ansley would have loved - praying with a couple who experienced two deaths in one week, having a friend and her daughter over for lunch having deep conversation while putting lunch together, gathering some things for a man who just arrived from Africa - including a Bible we just happened to have in the car (Thank you, God, for providing!), and packing five suitcases full of supplies for Ghana. 250 pounds - packed! WHOA! God ministered to me throughout the day and brought JOY. He is bringing "beauty from the ashes." Truly. Finally.
Throughout yesterday, I found myself thinking, "Ansley would love this." But I wasn't thinking, "I wish Ansley were here." I know she is experiencing true joy in the presence of God. Mason shared with me that he had a dream about Ansley on Sat. night. He dreamed she was dancing and she was so happy. He said she even had her short curly hairstyle that Ansley wore after her hair started coming back in. God ministered to me reminding me that HE IS God. HE IS with me.
In light of yesterday, when I read these verses tonight, my heart was greatly comforted.
"Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times the things which have not been done,
Saying, "My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
Isaiah 46:9-10
Surely, thus says the LORD,
"Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away,
And the prey of the tyrants will be rescued;
For I will contend with the one who contends with you,
And I will save your son(s)."
Isaiah 49:25
God will be the one who saves Overcomer. We don't understand, but we must choose to trust without understanding. We must "walk by faith and not by sight."
Please pray these verse for us -
"For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look NOT at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Grateful to each of you.
1 comment:
Our family will continue to pray for yours. Thank you for sharing that specific verse request. I also wanted to share Isaiah 43:5-7 with you. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-everyone who is called by my name, who I created for my glory, who I formed and made."
Trust without understanding is a powerful thing and you are bringing Him glory as you trust in His promises!
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