Bridging Visa and Building Houses

From the moment God began to establish our family in Australia, I have looked upon it as a permanent move.  When it comes to serving God in a foreign field, there can be an overwhelming amount of "unknowns."  The timing for visa approval, God's provision of money, and the administration of paperwork are just a few of them.  There is much that lays outside our ability to directly control.  The stress level of our lives has been greatly eased through committing those things into God's capable hands.  The call is to be casting our cares upon Him, and God helping us we do.  We are called to be faithful to do our part, and God will be faithful to fulfill His Word.  We sow the seed, and He will make it grow.

We came to Australia over two years ago on a tourist visa.  While in country we applied for a 428 Religious Worker's visa and a bridging visa was issued.  It was later approved and allowed us to stay in country for two years.  After the two years the 428 Religious Worker's Visa could be renewed.  But last year our family received a letter in July which notified us that the 428 visa was no longer a path to permanent residency.  That would have been bad news by itself.  We were informed, however, that the church could nominate me under a Minister of Religion Visa which is a permanent residency visa.  That was welcome news indeed!  The church has now lodged the nomination and application with Australian immigration and we have been notified that a bridging visa is now in place.  Instead of having to leave the country in April, we can now stay in country until the visa application is completely resolved.  At the moment it appears we will be in Australia for a while - and God willing permanently!

Even before our family immigrated to Australia, God directed me to take to heart Jeremiah 29:5-7:  "Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. ⁶ Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished. ⁷ And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace."  When we face uncertainty, the temptation is to hold back from putting down deep roots.  God used this passage to impress upon my heart that whether He has us in Australia for two years or seventy years, live like this is our permanent home.  As citizens of heaven we recognise this is not our real home, but we are to commit ourselves fully to the people, work, activities, and culture of our new home.  Instead of pining for what is old, comfortable, and familiar, we must open our arms and hearts to these beautiful people God has called us to serve without reservation.  We should enroll the kids in school for the year, buy that second car we need, renew the insurance for the whole year, and live trusting that God has placed us here according to His will.  Jeremiah 29 influenced me to live like we aren't going anywhere!

This is a great illustration for people who believe God has called them into a particular ministry.  Because God has revealed a call for them to serve in a specific role - say a pastor - they are reluctant to serve in other capacities.  Or perhaps they see their church fellowship languishing and begin to sit in judgment, withholding contributions of time and resources.  Let me encourage you:  wherever God has you in fellowship, give Him your all.  Serve with all your might no matter how long you might remain at the fellowship.  Build houses, plant gardens, and eat of their fruit.  Get married, settle down!  I offer these not as literal commands for you to perform, but to keep in mind the principle God intends.  A day may come when God moves you into a new arena of ministry, a day when the calling upon your life sees ultimate fruition, that day when you have a one-way ticket to a foreign country!  But as long as God tarries, wait on the LORD.  Many people succumb to waiting for the LORD.  They are always waiting for God to do something before they obey in the first place.  They never put down roots and begin to wilt.  Start serving and labouring for God's glory right where He has you and when God moves you, continue serving like you won't be going anywhere for a while.

I praise God for the bridging visa He has provided for our family, and our prayer is that our application for permanent residency will be quickly approved.  I desire to spend and be spent for Jesus Christ in Australia for His glory, for He is worthy of all honour.  I am grateful for the friends and family who have greatly enriched our lives during these two years.  No doubt God has much more to do both in and through us here!