Casting Your Cares/Helen

Well, we are less than 48 hours from flying to Detroit and on to Beijing, China. Our friends on the other end could not be more kind as they anticipate our arrival. On this end, however, it has been a challenging day.

Three weeks ago Cheryl sent our passports off to a visa expediting company for processing with the Chinese Consulate. Last night at 6:30 PM we received an email from FedEx indicating we would receive our visas via their "Express Saver" 3-day shipping by 7:00 PM, Thursday. That's not a problem if weren't leaving here at 6:00 AM on Thursday for the drive to Nashville's airport. After a mad scramble of phone calls, emails, etc. with FedEx and the expediter this is where we are: We have a verbal promise that the visas will arrive by 10:30 AM tomorrow at the Miller's house. The expediter promises that they made the arrangements with FedEx to have it overnighted from Washington, DC to Clarksville, TN. Despite all our efforts we have been unable to obtain written confirmation of this promise. That's why the blog post title of "Casting Your Cares" from 1 Peter 5. We know He cares for us no matter when the visas arrive, even if we have to reschedule the entire trip. I release the schedule up to our Heavenly Father who does all things well.

Helen.Today Cheryl, Pastor John, and I had 2 1/2 hours with a new friend: Helen. Helen is from Nigeria and has two beautiful children: Lorenzo (3) and Jesi (1). By God's perfect design we met Helen at the public library last week when we were caring for little Kristyn Miller. She is an honest, intelligent, and caring woman and mom who is trying to make the best of a difficult situation here in Clarksville. We only had to cut our time short because Helen serves as part of a "Good News" club at a local elementary school. During our time we wrestled with God's grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, caring for her children as a single mom, etc. It was such a joy to observe Pastor John Miller bring the Word so practically to bear on her situation. The Gospel is such a word of hope for all of us. We hope to have more time with her in days ahead as part of God's adopted family.