An update!...

About a week ago I finally received a phone call from the Consulate. The lady I was talking to was very helpful and informative. She pretty much told me that the problem with my Visa application was that I applied for the correct Visa but the incorrect sub type of the Visa. As a result, they were unable to issue me a Visa here in Chicago. She informed me that I could continue the appeals process, but they would have to send it back over to the UK and that could take quite some time. However, she advised me that the quicker option would just to be to reapply altogether under the correct Visa. So, that is what I am doing.

However, rather than just reapplying right away just to rush back so that I can be there until August, I am talking with Mourne Presbyterian Church and the elders are meeting to discuss the possibility of me staying through next year since this year had a little hiccup. With the new visa that I will be applying for, it will enable me to stay up to 12 months. So the hope is to wait until June to go back and then stay through May 2010. So God is good and works through all things.

Looking back on my time here in the States, I am very thankful for it because God has been teaching and me and showing me many different things that I might not have learned otherwise. I ask that you continue to pray for the situation as the Elders at Mourne talk as well as when I will end up reapplying for my Visa. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ!

Yearning for Him and Longing to return to Northern Ireland,
Jason

♫ Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord ♫

The song "Everlasting God" has gone through my head many times during the last 9 weeks. The wait continues as I continue to wait and trust in God's perfect timing. Unfortunately, there still hasn't been any news or updates even in light of the letter that I wrote at the beginning of last week to the Consulate.

I continue to take each day as it comes, one at a time...continuing to keep my hope and trust in my Sovereign God knowing that He has a reason and a purpose behind everything that He does. I am grateful for the time I've had at home. I've had some great opportunities to connect with some of my old youth group guys from nearly six years ago, help out some old friends, as well as get a little more acquainted with the college ministry 631 which prior to this, haven't had much exposure to. So there definitely is good behind all things.

I encourage you to continue to pray for me and for my situation. I can honestly say that my heart for those in Northern Ireland hasn't fainted at all...in fact, it's probably gotten stronger. I miss them tremendously and cannot wait to return and continue to encourage them in their faith. So pray that God would enable me to go back soon by granting me a VISA from the British Government. May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ, putting our hope in the Grace that He shows us each and every day!

Yearning for Christ and Longing to return to Northern Ireland,

Jason