Blue Skies Smiling at Me…

Its -1.5F, the sky is a brilliant blue and the sun is shining causing the fresh snow to sparkle like diamonds.  I have just shoveled my driveway and found myself dilly-dallying outside because it is so pristine and beautiful.  I love it when the snow is crunchy and my nose hairs stick together!

In a few hours I will head to the airport for the long flight to Australia.  I’m looking forward to boarding the 747 and leaving behind the paperwork, email and phone calls for awhile.  I’m half way through the book “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman so expect to finish it as we follow the curve of the earth from 45,000ft.  I might indulge myself at the airport bookstore for some intriguing travel story too.

This is my 13th flight Down Under and the first time to be traveling to my home land with a friend. Its exciting having Lorrie come!  I love the anticipation of knowing something new is around every corner that traveling always brings.  Without fail, God surprises me with a fresh glimpse of Him and His world and sharing these magical encounters with a friend is especially cool!

Yesterday my interview for the US visa was set for Thursday, February 12 at 9:45am (US Consulate General – Melbourne, Australia.)  Your prayers for favor are so appreciated.

Whilst in Australia I will also be applying for an Non-Government Organization (NGO) visa with the Pakistan Embassy in Canberra.  This visa will allow me to enter Pakistan multiply times and work for the NGO, Shining Light Community Development Organization. The dream of this NGO was birthed in 1998 when a small group of students made their first journey into the Himalayan Mountains of Northern Pakistan.  I was a part of that adventure and we had no idea how those few weeks would impact so many lives for eternity!

An approval letter from the Ministry of the Interior, Islamabad, Pakistan is waiting at the Pakistani Embassy for my application.  I am the test case for this visa being issued as our work in Pakistan has only recently been registered with their government.  I want to be the first to receive this visa and set a precedent pioneering the way for international workers from around the world to come and serve in Northern Pakistan!

Okay, my bag is packed and its time to boogie!

Debonair and delightful!

Treat yourself to the movies and see “Australia.”

Click on the movie title above and see the action!

It’s the Aussie version of “Gone With the Wind.”
I loved it!
A beautifully filmed epic in the tradition of old Hollywood…
The captivating story overflows with romance, adventure, humor and spectacular Australian scenery.
Let me know what you think…even if you don’t like it.
I’ll refund you the ticket cost if I’ve wasted your time.

While I was waiting for the movie to begin an elderly gentleman slowly made his way along to the center seat in the row in front of me and said hello as he sat down.  Upon hearing my voice, he swivled around and asked if I might be Australian?  When I replied that yes, I was from Down Under, his face lit up and he promptly began to share with me his dreams as a young man to visit  my homeland.  Sadly this was something he had never been able to do.  Having seen the film before, he went on to give a glowing review.  We continued to chat until the lights were dimmed and the movie began to roll.  Then in the spirit of an age gone by, taking me quite by surprise and delight, the elderly gentleman said goodbye with a kiss to the back of my hand!  Maybe I should go to the movies more often!

No time to lose…

A couple of calendar highlights coming up for Spring:

March 8-13  Teaching the Biblical Basis for Mission in the Discipleship Training School at YWAM Cimarron.

April 17-19 Guest Speaker at the Foursquare Church Women’s Retreat for the Denver Metro area.  24 churches will be represented.  The theme is “Leaving a Legacy to change a Destiny.”  WOW!

May/June – Guest Speaker at the Graduation Ceremony of the Lahore Bible College, Lahore – Pakistan. These are future pastors, Christian teachers and missionaries for the Muslim world. I will then travel north to Gilgit  www.shininglightngo.com and speak at the Graduation Ceremony of the Women’s Vocational Training Center.

I have three prayer concerns to share with you:

1. Favor in obtaining a new visa mid February. At a recent border crossing a US Customs official told me they would not issue me another visa and that I couldn’t continue to come and go like I have been.  God will have the final say!

2. Green Card Application approval.

3. Financial provision as I’m on the road training and mobilizing for Mission.

Daily I am made aware of the uncertainty of my immigration situation and yet I feel a tremendous sense of hope for  2009.
I trust you do too.

There is an expectation in my heart.  Its intuitive and intangible.  A feeling of being on the verge of something remarkable that is not only personal; it’s a sense I have for this time and season we are all in…something good is coming if we dare to dream and believe.

By nature I am a hopeful individual, optimistic and under girded by faith in the miraculous God we serve.  Even with all the uncertainties, trials and tragedy in the world today I have great expectation for 2009 and they are not conditional to any political agenda, economic advancement, immigration turn around or personality predisposition.  Our God is GOOD, powerfully at work in the world around us! He is at work in us and through us and if we will actively engage with Him and boldly grasp Him and the opportunities He presents us, the world will see, experience and know the Living, transformational Hope that longs to embrace them!

I am overwhelmed by the privilege of partnering with God and with you, in bringing His Hope to the world.

Time sure “flies”…

It’s that time of the year again…

…another run for the border!

I  head back to Australia on January 27 for what has become my annual birthday visit to the US Consulate General in Melbourne.  This time last year God opened the door for a 12 month visa to be issued that had been denied in Islamabad, Pakistan.  It was a great birthday gift.  This year I am looking for a repeat performance.

My good friend Lorrie will be coming on this trip.  She figures after traveling throughout the Himalaya with me including being detained by the Chinese military on the Tibetan plateau in NW China…a trip to Australia will be a breeze!  My sister sent her a guide to Aussie Slang and Lorrie has been busy studying hard to make the cross-cultural leap Down Under!

It’s not the lingo she needs to prepare for…it’s the meat-pies, black snakes and blow flies! I have given instruction on the Great Australian Salute and she shows much promise. Time will tell whether she has what it takes to handle the Aussie Blowie!

Last week I learned that my Green Card application is still waiting adjudication in the Background Check Unit – US State Department.  I had no idea I had that much background to be checked!  Some days I feel the Green Card is so close and yet at the same time, so far away.  Whilst I wait for a favorable decision I am required to continually come and go from the USA or stay away until I have permanent residency.  If this next visa is not granted then I will need to be away from the USA for six months before I can reapply for entry again.

I plan to return to the USA on February 28 and I will hit the ground running, just the way I like it!