We were greatly encouraged a few days ago when we reviewed a piece of video which we shot on a trip to Finland in May, six weeks before our arrival this summer. We had come for a long weekend, for Lydia to attend some job interviews, to explore areas to live in and also to connect with friends.
Watching this video helped us to feel the impact of how much has happened in the three or so months since the video was shot. We have since left our home in England, moved our family and belongings across europe, moved into an apartment, Lydia has started work, Edith has started school, we have been steadily making progress working through the immigration process, and much much more. Apart from this personal reminder of all that has happened, we were amazed as we observed the detail is what we were talking about in a very casual, unknowing manner.
It is amazing for us to look at this video and remember things that we were chatting about and saying 'God could be doing this', or 'He may open this door for us', and to realise that everything we speak about here has come to pass.
Not only did Lydia get offered two of the jobs she interviewed for that weekend, but the interview which we both felt most positive and peaceful about, and the job that Lydia accepted has become the most enjoyable job she has ever had. We now live in an apartment less than 200 yards from where we sat on a bench that weekend and said 'this seems like it could be a good area for us to move to'! The apartment was eventually chosen and organised by Lydia's employer, so we had no say in where it would be, but God knew! Our friendship with the other family we mention has been brilliant and we see them most weeks. They are a family passionate for God and hungry to see many of the things we long to see happen through the church here in Helsinki.
God has been faithful to every seemingly off the cuff or insignificant remark which we made at the time of shooting this film. It is incredible to see His attention to detail and the prophetic merging together of our desires and hopes with the plans, job, home, friends that He already had mapped out!
Watching this film really is a source of encouragement. Firstly that we are here[!] and that something which was just a conversation back then is a reality now! Secondly that as we face fresh battles and uncertainties, He will continue to see things through to completion and He has His eye on all of the detail. We are now realising more fully that getting here [although it took huge effort and many miracles], is really just the beginning and that the hard work, uncertainty and challenges continue in various forms. We are still facing an uphill battle to finalise our immigration and become permanent residents. It feels like trying to push a boulder uphill, there is a tremendous amount of time and energy being expended just to move it along by a few inches. Edith is now at school, which is excellent news and she is really enjoying this, but Johan is on a four month waiting list and he misses the routine and friendship of his nursery in the UK. There is also some uncertainty about Lydia's contract. We had been led to understand that the one year contract was just a formality and that these were then automatically renewed. This may now not be the case, and the contract may finish sooner than expected, which could in turn affect our right to become residents. For me the days are intense looking after the children and running the house [not a natural strength!] and there isn't much free time to work on stuff connected to the church plant. We miss friends and family [although Skype and Google Hangout have been a lifeline], we had an amazing visit from our friends Luke and Alison [who hope to join us in a years time]. This was such a super time but a real wrench when the time came for them to return to the UK.
We are confident though that as we have seen from our film from a few months back, that God will see us through these issues day by day and step by step. I have been reading an old copy of A W Pink's book on Elijah. In 1956 the book cost six shillings, but it is very much speaking to me right now! He notes that as the Lord sent Elijah to the brook Cherith an important practical truth is exemplified:
'God leads his servants step by step. Necessarily so, for the path which they are called to tread is that of faith, and faith is opposed to both sight and independency. It is not the Lord's way to reveal to us the whole course which is to be traversed: rather does He restrict His light to one step at a time, that we may be kept in continual dependence upon Him. This is the most salutary lesson, yet to the flesh it is far from relishing...'
Please support us onwards through these steps by standing with us in prayer for:
- All of the bureaucracy to do with immigration, tax, bank account etc. to be processed quickly and finally settled.
- A nursery place for Johan in a convenient location and ahead of schedule.
- For strength for Lydia as she works hard at the daycare and for a favourable resolution to the contractual issues. Also for study opportunity or a full time job for Kev.
- Missional opportunities and connections and for one person to come to Christ!
- For team to build [which is a major key to move things on to the next stage with the church plant. Pray for wisdom and grace with the friendships and connections which have been developing.
- Alison and Luke as they make progress with their plans [job opportunities, timings etc]
We really thank you for supporting and standing with us and we thank God as we look back with huge gratitude for all He has done so far.
