Amy in Brazil

It’s a rainy Saturday in Minnesota. I’m just finishing up breakfast and enjoying the gloomy weather. Seriously.

So here’s the scoop. As of Wednesday, my passport was in Brazilia (the capital of Brazil) to be stamped. This surprised me quite a bit because it was my understanding that my passport would be stamped in Houston, but apparently not. So, my passport has been doing some travelling without me, and I’m trying not to be too jealous.

I’m guessing, should the very competent civil servants currently in possession of my passport act with efficiency, that I should have it back at some point this week. I am hoping for earlier in the week. I am very ready to go, as I am eager to meet my students and get to work.

 Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

 -Amy

 …We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…  Romans 5: 3 – 5

Another hiccup with the visa. Sorry, I don’t really have any details to share except that I am still in the country indefinitely… Pray.

The Lord has heard my plea: the Lord will answer my prayer.  Psalm 6: 9

My visa (and those of five of my co-workers) has been approved. Apparently, someone knew a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy who was able to pull some strings in Brazilia. In any case, my passport with the stamped visa should be on its way back to me from the Consulate in Houston via FedEx. If I get it tomorrow I could be on a plane as ears=ly as Friday evening. If I get it on Friday, then I’ll leave on Saturday, early in the day… Either way, I should be in Brazil for the first day of school which is this Monday. Of course, I will be completely disoriented and probably disorganiazed, but I will be there physically to meet my students and my fellow instructors.

At this moment, it is still difficult for me to grasp the whole situation. At least emotionally. I’ve spent so much time this summer waiting, and now everything is happening so fast. Logically, I’ve known all summer that I would be leaving the country this fall, but it was always after this or that obstacle was overcome. And now, the obstacles are gone, and it is time to go… I imagine that I’ll adjust to the idea once I’ve been in Brazil a few weeks.

Thank you so much for your prayers. My visa going through so quickly truly was a miracle! Please pray that my transition goes smoothly, for my students, and for my fellow staff members.

 -Amy

And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with His will. And if we know He is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.   1 John 5:14-15

I arrived at my brother’s home in Minnesota yesterday morning. No, I was not on the bridge that collapsed, though I would have been entering Minneapolis around the time of that event had I left New Mexico early in the morning on Tuesday as I’d originally planned; however, I would not have taken that route into the city. My heart and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones and to those who continue to aid in the recovery efforts.

I have been remiss in regular updates this summer, and, for that, I apologize. Generally they say that no news is good news, but for me no news usually means frustration and/or confusion. This summer, I have experienced my share of both. Largely due to visa paperwork and the bureaucratic hoops that are required in achieving one. I have felt the surprisingly sharp corners of more than my share of rubber stamps, I have traveled across the country twice, and I have shed tears long distance to no avail. As I have struggled with this, a woman at NICS told me that God was preparing me for mission work by growing my faith before I even entered the field, and I certainly hope that is true. I have certainly been reminded time and again this summer of God’s providence, that God will always provide what is needed in His perfect time according to His perfect will.

After all, I have already witnessed miracles regarding my move to Brazil. I was able to renew my passport in two weeks without expediting when most everyone else was waiting months. Also, I was graced by the assistance of old friends and new friends on my travels. And, truthfully, was blessed to see friends and family that I might not have been able to see for two years had I not had to travel for my visa… And, now, it seems that God is moving to answer all of our prayers regarding visas. I received a rather cryptic email today from my boss in Brazil saying something to the effect that strings were being pulled behind-the-scenes and to expect big things soon. Please pray for this paperwork push, as I am not the only teacher at my site in Brazil still waiting for a visa.

Other than a few frustrations suffered at the hands of civil servants, my summer was running over with blessings. My sister and her daughter were able to make a long visit in New Mexico, my youth group had an amazing mission trip in Puerto Rico, and I have been able to pay all of my bills so far, in spite of additional expenses. God is so good!

School starts August 13th. Whether or not I am in Brazil at that point is in God’s hands. Please, please pray. Pray for the students, the other teachers, the administrators, for safe travels, and, most especially, for hearts that wait upon the Lord.

 Thank you for your love and support.

-Amy

The Lord replied, “Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it!”  Habakkuk 1: 5