Thy Kingdom Come

Yesterday Nadeem was unable to go to the Home Ministry to get the "no objection" certificate required to get Kalina's visa. However, another of Nadeem's uncles is taking him today. Meanwhile the US Embassy here called this morning to inform us that there is a slight problem with Kalina's passport. Nadeem and I are listed as her parents, but in Bangladesh this implies that we are her biological parents. We must return to the passport office to get this corrected. Looking on the bright side, we're thankful to know this now rather than later. On the other hand, do we feel weary and frustrated? Yes! In the natural, time is ticking away. On Sunday Hasan's mom and sister leave for India. They are anxious to have all of these issues resolved before they leave. Christmas is next week. We really want to come home to celebrate! Also, Nadeem must come home by then or else he will lose his position at work. Tomorrow is another holiday here, so all offices are closed again. This is the natural.
What about the supernatural? What about what God is up to in all of this? It's so easy to fall into despair and discouragement. Every time we see a hint of light, it seems to quickly be extinguished. However, we follow the Light of the world. His light can never be extinguished. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Nadeem and I read a convicting commentary yesterday on the Lord's prayer. When asked how we should pray, Jesus answered, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name, Your kingdom come, You will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Later in the prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray for our needs-provision, forgiveness, and deliverance. "Christ's business is the supreme concern of life and all of our personal considerations, no matter how important or precious to us, are secondary." (from Streams in the Desert) Wow. In other words, our desire to come home is secondary to God's work in expanding His kingdom and drawing people to Him. We came here to get Kalina. We have her. We are able to show God's love to our little girl and give her a home with us. God is doing more. We're not exactly sure what, but we know that God's up to something wonderful!
I love today's message in our devotion book. The passage describes trust as the heart of faith, the language of the heart. When we trust in God (Ps. 37:5) we lean on the One Who has a great, living, and genuine heart of love. The next part spoke to me so personally this morning: "Therefore let us trust in Him through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, and in the face of all the rejection we encounter in life (such as the ugly visa rejection slip from the embassy and the rejection we feel as foreigners here). And in spite of our feelings and evidence to the contrary, and even when we cannot understand our way or our situation, may we still trust also in Him for He shall bring it to pass. The way will open, our situation will be changed, and the end result will be peace . The cloud will finally be lifted, and the light of eternal noonday will shine at last."
During our trip I've read the true stories of Corrie Ten Boom in a concentration camp and Darlene Deibler Rose in a Prisoner of War camp. I loved the joyful endings when the ladies came home and embraced their loved ones and enjoyed the comforts of home. As I read the end of Darlene's story in the book Evidence of Faith, God gave me a wonderful idea based on something the prisoners did upon their release. Let's have a magnificent Celebration of Praise and Worship when Nadeem, Kalina, and I return!!! Wouldn't that be wonderful? I get so excited thinking about it! Everyone reading this blog would be invited to join us in person in giving praise to God! I know that so many of you sing, play musical instruments, like to plan, enjoy being creative, and have a heart for God. We've been asked how you at home can help while you're waiting for us. We've been blessed to have my mom take care of our house, and some of you have worked on our yard. While you're waiting, brainstorm some ideas for this celebration. We need a location. My friend Angela Brannen is researching this. If you have ideas, pass them along to her. She teaches at Hebron Christian Academy. We can't wait to join you all in thanking our God!