Several weeks ago I wrote a brief article on our third anniversary in Wales. Well, today’s the day! Being a consummate procrastinator, I mailed a HUGE package of documents this afternoon to the UK Border & Immigration Agency, needed along with our visa renewal applications. Now it’s “hurry up and wait” time as the immigration folks take four to eight weeks to decide our future.

Please pray for several issues related to our continuing ministry in Wales:

• That we will be given either a three-year extension OR permanent residency. We only need one more year before we are eligible for permanent residency, so there is a remote chance they might recognize that fact and go ahead with it. We would be absolutely amazed and overjoyed!
• That our daughter, Jennifer, will have her application (submitted with ours, but on a separate application since she’s over 18) approved in the same way as ours. She is engaged to be married next summer, so it would be a very difficult situation if there are any problems getting her visa extended.
• That everything will happen more quickly than the projected “decision times” mentioned above. We’re dying to see our grandchildren, but we cannot leave the UK until the visa has been extended; since they have our passports and the former visa is now expired. Our youngest grandson was born in October 2006 and we haven’t seen him since he was three weeks old.
• That our financial support will be strengthened by the end of 2007. Most of our partner churches have remained faithful over the past three years—some even increasing their giving (thank you so much!)—but we have lost $1,000 per month in support since the first of January. The past twelve months has been a difficult time of transition and we are really disappointed at the sudden reversal of what appeared to be a long-term commitment.

Thanks for praying for us! The Lord has exciting things ahead and we are thrilled to watch these significant milestones passing by, because it demonstrates God’s continuing grace and mercy to our beloved Wales!