The miracle (s)....

Well, as I mentioned in my previous brief blog, we got the Visa this afternoon. It was truly a miracle and no one can deny the hand of God in this. As you know this past week and a half has been tremendously stressful, missing my family and wondering how long it was going to be before we went home. After Tuesdays ordeal about the medical I was really down and getting very anxious but at the same time knowing God would provide. As Dominic and I went on our usual long morning walk on Wednesday, I pleaded my case before God. Everything was against me.

First, I just handed in my application last week when the High Commissioner was stating it usually takes 3 months.

Secondly, I never disclosed this but our lawyer made a mistake with the birthdate. Instead of Dominics birthdate being June 7th it was June 3rd. He only told me that when I arrived in Rwanda. It didn’t make a difference to me but the “letter of no objection” that was requested from the province had June 7th on it and therefore wouldn’t match up with Dominics documents. Our person from the agency just said to change it but it was impossible at that point because that would mean police records of the date of abandonment wouldn’t match up. The birth certificate and passport would also have to be changed and notarized which meant a lot more time and money. Besides, I only discovered this problem after my lawyer had left for Belgium, so I wouldn’t even know where to go for these documents.

Thirdly, the medical which I thought was “in the bag”, wasn’t even delivered until the day before I needed the Visa. That meant it still needed to be processed and the High Commissioner had previously stated that it was on a “first come first serve” basis.

As of Tuesday the High Commissioner said she hadn’t heard anything back from the Rwandan officials and that it usually takes them a while for their response. Then there was the MP who was very supportive but really she said she couldn’t do anything for me because even though I wasn’t completely aware of the process, I should have sent in my application a while ago. Her final remark was pray for a miracle.

Finally, the last strike against me was the negative e-mail sent to the High Commissioner from our agency about me and my motives. Oh ya, and my flight to Kigali is supposed to leave Friday morning at 0900 and the flight to Canada leaves Saturday at 0400.

So after telling God about all the impossibilities and strikes I had against me I felt this profound verse enter my heart and my mind…”If God is for you who can go against you.”

Wednesday afternoon about 3:00 pm Dominic woke up from his nap and we were going to go downtown because I NEEDED a chocolate bar. I figured the High Commissioner wouldn’t call because they close at 4:00. Just as we were heading out she called to confirm that Dominic would have his Visa tomorrow (Thursday) after 2:00pm. I am still overwhelmed with emotion and shock as I write this. As I picked it up this afternoon I told her how greatful I was and thank you. She said you are so lucky and that she was within her rights to take up to 3 months to process this. You and I both know LUCK had nothing to do with this! Oh ya, and the date of birth on the “letter of no objection” was never mentioned. Yes, we do serve a mighty God!

Another thing I should mention…I never made it to that favorite store of mine to buy my chocolate bar. There was a huge fire and explosion an hour before I got there. When I got the phone call from the High Commissioner, gave thanks and called Dale to tell him the great news I was delayed about an hour. The Lord definitely had His hand of protection on me.

So this will be my last entry until I arrive home. We leave very early tomorrow morning for Rwanda and then basically in the middle of the night back to Canada. I can’t say thank you enough for all of your prayers and encouragement throughout this whole journey. I am forever in debt to all the wonderful support my friends and family have provided my husband and children with since I’ve been gone. The love of God has truly been portrayed through your acts of kindness. Bye for now.