Thursday, July 14, 2005

Ｒｅｍａｒｋａｂｌｅ　ａｎｄ　Ｃｏｍｍｏｎ　Ｇｒａｃｅ Yesterday was both remarkable and ordinary. It was remarkable because God answered prayer. It was ordinary, because similar situations have been repeated over and over in the history of God's people. Here is what happened.. This summer we are sending out two young men for more extensive cross cultural experience. Johnny has already arrived in Manilla where is he working with the Makati Emmanuel Church. Andrew is due to leave today for Indonesia where he hopes to spend 3 months working with local church planters. Andrew has been having difficulty applying for his visa to Indonesia. The Indonesian government wanted a letter of invitation worded in a specific way. The sponsoring body in Indonesia had to rewrite the letter several times before getting it right. Yesterday was the last chance for Andrew to obtain his visa. He is scheduled to fly to Indonesia today. The Indonesian Embassy said the letter had to be in their hands by 12:30 p.m. Richard Cheng, our Church Association general secretary called Indonesia and spoke to the secretary. She had the letter but didn't know how to send a fax long-distance. Richard was also talking to the embassy asking them to hold on, the fax is coming. Finally at 12:38 p.m. the fax arrived and they graciously processed Andrew's visa. At the same time, Andrew's father called Andrew's pastor, Mr. Pang to say that he didn't want his son to go to Indonesia. Andrew is a young adult, but Chinese parents have a lot of influence over their grown children. Pastor Pang consulted me and Richard, and then called the father to encourage him. Andrew's father calmed down and later in the day, Richard, Pastor Pang, Andrew and I had a chance to sit down and pray. God answered prayer and obstacles were overcome. This is common and yet remarkable grace. That problems and last minute problems should arise is also common. Andrew believed that God wanted him to go to Indonesia. He stepped out in faith and his faith was challenged. His pastor was tempted to say "Oh oh, his father says "no", so we have to call it off.", but instead he stepped out in faith and talked to the father. God provided the visa and the family's blessing. We are praying for Andrew's father. In the past he has not been willing to have any contact with the church, but now, while Andrew is in Indonesia, his pastor can keep in touch with the family and build a relationship with them. "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"   10:01:09 AM    comment []

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