Sad News...For Now

     Generally I try to write about what is positive and encouraging in my blogs. Sometimes, though, life doesn't always go the way you hope...or plan...or think you've heard God say. These are times when you just want to cry as reality sinks in.

     Yesterday Isa had her interview to gain her visa so she could come stay with us through the New Year. The two of us had been praying even before this process started and had enlisted the prayer coverage of others.

     Right before Isa went for the interview (which was only a brief affair at a window, not in an office like we anticipated), I prayed that she would have favour and that there would be no hassle in obtaining the Visa. Hah!

     A few minutes later, Isa came back to tell me they had refused to gived it to her. At first I thought she was joking and then realized she was serious. The woman rejected her Visa because "there was not a strong enough tie to bring her back to Chile". As part of the process for gaining this document, applicants must prove that they will not stay illegally in the States because they are compelled to return to Chile by one of three claims on their life: social, economical or familial. Isa had yet to graduate with her certification and presented a document from her school stating this and also stating the date of her testing to complete her requirements for graduation.

     The woman took one look at it and arbitrarily decided to deny her the Visa-brooking no further argument. She refused to even read the letter of invitation sent by my family or the letter Isa's father wrote her as pastor in which he stated that he was dependent on her help in the new church he would be pastoring. Although not official, Isa also explained the job offer she had to work with the company with which she interned. Nothing moved her.

     So it was with extremely sad hearts we made our way back that long trip home.

     And here we are. We still don't completely understand why Isa will not be coming back with me, but we know that God works even through cranky, brusque employees. For some reason, the timing wasn't right. Although I still wish the situation were different, I'm trusting God that He has a good plan after all and that at some point everything will fall into place so she can come. Isa will try again for the document when she can. Month or year, I'm looking forward to her stay with us (but I hope it's sooner rather than later!).