Timing is everything

So, as I was saying back in October, we didn't know how this whole immigration thing was going to work out. After our last post, we were told that our time in-country had expired, that our paperwork would positively NOT be accepted, and that we'd have to leave the country and apply from outside of Latvia. That sounded like the end of the world to us. Nobody could promise that our application would be successful at all, let alone in a reasonable time. We were given a small grace period, though, and were told that if we'd leave the country by Nov. 16, we wouldn't be expelled. Nov. 16 just happened to be the day that a new AIM couple was arriving in Riga! Another (final) couple was to arrive a week after that! We'd been here trying to pave the way, eagerly awaiting fellow troops, and we have to leave the VERY DAY they finally arrive?

"Lord, am I missing something here?!"

As it turns out, yes.

If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have had the slightest concern. Of course, now I have "sight" and then I only had "faith". I wish my faith would be as strong as my sight.

Long story short, we spent 4 weeks in Vilnius. We applied for residence from Vilnius without incident. Our residence was approved on December 8. Meanwhile, our empty Riga apartment provided a much-needed temporary base of operations for our compatriots back in Riga, giving both new couples a chance to patiently look for the best apartments for their needs. We were able to stay in the empty apartment of another AIM couple who were back in the States at the time. We left their apartment the day they returned from the States.

During our time there, we were blessed tremendously. We got to teach Bible Studies to some new folks. I got a chance to meet with the young people in Vilnius. I got to earn some dough doing English editing. We even got to attend the big Christmas bash thrown by yet another AIM couple in Vilnius. (For clarity: 2 months ago there were 2 AIM'ers on site in Vilnius and 1 (us) in Riga. There are now 3 in Vilnius and 3 in Riga. Thank the Lord!)

We arrived back in Riga with 48 hrs to spare before Ellie's family arrived. They attended a wedding in St. Petersburg, and ministered in 4 different locations in the Baltics, as well as spending Christmas Eve and Day with us. Ellie's mom cooked and we all ate like Americans. Thank the Lord!

So, in the end, the experience was just the right thing at just the right time. I was really beginning to wonder if God had everything under control. Believe it or not, He did! And it was all in His perfect timing. You're not even very surprised, are you?

Bob




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