With the trials of the recent floods, landslides, loss of life, property and animals, I can only imagine how many people have had their faith tested. As I watched videos and saw many photos of the devastation (which still continues today), I also saw so many acts of selflessness, aide & assistance, and communities coming together to help those who lost so much. I see hundreds of volunteers giving of their time and resources to ensure people are not without food, water, transportation and a roof over their head. In the face of adversity, we can look and see the steadfastness of God’s love. He is providing people & resources to help those in need…praise the Lord!
And we’re not out of the woods yet. There are still people unable to return home, animals needing to be tended to, houses needing to be rebuilt and water needing to be diverted. The effects of this event will take months (or longer) to repair. But we can trust that God is with us in the midst of our trials…he will not leave us nor forsake us.
My news seems irrelevant in light of what’s happening in the valley these days. But I also want to keep you informed, as you pray for me and for the hope that one day I will be able to return to Japan. Since my last update, I have been told by the Japanese Embassy in Vancouver that I now need to have a “Screening Visa”. This is a new visa that the organization/company in Japan that is inviting you to work there, must complete. From what I understand it is because Japan is now open to business travellers and in order to ensure people are coming to work and not sightsee, the company requesting your services needs to complete this visa. However, I am not able to give the necessary information to Pastor Hattori in Nagoya, Japan. They require a date of arrival in Japan. This leaves me in a bit of a quandary because until I am at 100% of my support, I cannot buy a ticket. Without the Screening Visa, I cannot submit my visa application in Vancouver to the Japanese Embassy. If I am not at 100% support before Christmas, then we will have to start the entire visa application over again as my certificate of eligibility expires in January 2022. The Lord is in control of everything and I put my faith and trust in him for my support needs and my visa application to be approved. Please join me in praying that these necessary steps will be completed so I can serve in Japan once again.
As we head into Advent and the Christmas season, may we all remember why Jesus came. I pray that even through our trials and life’s setbacks, we will take time for Jesus and remember that the Lord is in control and knows the outcome! I pray that you will be able to celebrate this season with your family and friends. If you’re looking for gift ideas, why not check out Multiply’s gift guide 2021 at www.multiply.net? There are great gift ideas that can be done together as a family to ensure others around the world are blessed this Christmas!
Prayer Items:
- Pray for those who have lost so much during the recent flooding/landslides. Pray for courage, faith and peace as they rebuild their lives.
- Pray for my visa/partnership development.
Praise Items:
- Praise for those who have opened their homes to people stranded from the flooding and for the hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly to help wherever they can.
- Praise God that Helena Weltz is now home from the hospital after her battle with Covid-19. -Praise God for his steadfast love!
Praying that the Lord will bless you all and keep you safe. Thank you so much for your prayers, support and love! Wendy