December: Where are we at?

Many of you may be aware that Japan has once again closed its borders with the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID. Initial thinking is that this border closure will just be for 1 month. We had thought that this would put significant delays on applying for visas as last time the borders shut, we were informed that there wasn't really any point starting the visa application process, as Japan was not processing visas at the time of the closure. We were wrong! We have been informed that we are at the point in our application where the OMF liaison in Japan who will be assisting our visa process will be applying for our Certificate of Eligibility (COE) soon! We need the COE to be able to apply for our visas here in Australia. Confirmation on a host and church to receive us in Japan is pending but once this has taken place, it is our understanding the COE can be applied for. However, we have been informed that the whole visa application process (i.e. applying for the COE, receiving it, applying for visas, etc.) can take up to 2-3 months. In our minds, this sets us back a little in perhaps not leaving until March or later. We were hoping for February. Whilst in our human-ness this seems like a setback and perhaps another hurdle, we are trusting in God's timing and provision. We know that He is moving! A human process is not going to hold God back from getting us where He needs us to be at precisely the right time. We are constantly reminded that this trip is not "ours". This is God's trip. We're just going along for the journey to be used by Him and grow in our understanding of His greatness. The characteristic of God that has been standing out to me the most recently is 'God, The Great Administrator'.

Things to be praying for in December:

• Praise God we can still begin the visa process despite border closures

• Borders to reopen

• Confirmation of a host and church to receive us in Japan

• The COE to come through

• The visa application to be processed smoothly

Thank you once again for your support in prayer. We wish you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas!