Answered Prayer: Thank you!!

We just want to praise God and thank all of you who prayed for us concerning our visa renewal. This morning we received our approval letters! We are now able to remain in Canada to serve till November 2020. It is a wonderful Christmas gift to our family. Thank you so much for covering us; it got through so much faster than we anticipated, and we believe it is due to your prayers!!

Thankfulness: Looking Back, Looking Forward

What an amazing blessing it is to have prayer and support in the things we do! We have just recently passed our five year anniversary of living and ministering here in Edmonton, and our hearts are thankful!

At the beginning of November, we officially passed our border crossing anniversary. November 11th marked five years since our first Sunday service. We began in the gospel of John, and now we are nearly finished with Hebrews (having already completed Revelation); nearly through with the entire New Testament! (take a peek back at that time here).

Just this weekend we are passing five years in the home the Lord provided for us to rent. It is officially the longest we have lived in one physical dwelling during our entire relationship and marriage! He has increased our family in age and in size since our move here, and we are thankful for His provision.

God has been so faithful to keep His word through Jesus that "I [Jesus] will build My church..." (Matt. 16:18). We came with a tiny thread of association to one couple who had recently moved here themselves, not knowing anyone else. We were meeting in their house a few weeks, then over to our own home with one other couple. Now, we are a small congregation renting space in a church, with several smaller ministry groups, and have passed just about every milestone a church can pass. We are humbly amazed.

We would like to thank all of you who are praying for us and financially offering support for us to be living and serving the body of Christ here at Calvary Chapel Edmonton. You have made such a huge impact in our lives as a family and also in the lives of our church family here. God will not forget your part in the work here!!

One matter for praise:

We wrote about how hard summer can be, and we asked for specific prayer (see this post), and God answered! We had our best summer yet. The church even grew, especially the children's church! Thank you for taking that cause before the Lord. He is so kind to answer. The church body here is really seeming to gel and be connected with one another, even as different people face various trials and joys. Many are also using their gifts and are quite connected in ministries of prayer, men's/ladies' fellowships, and in other ways.

One matter for prayer:

Our visas expired at the beginning of November. We put our applications in on time, well in advance of the expiry date, actually; but the paperwork for most visas is quite backed up right now. We have entered what is known as "implied status" until we receive a response from Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (the office of government that deals with visas also). Lord willing, we will be granted a renewal, and soon. We are hoping by February to receive our new documents. However, it is literally a tentative situation and not a guaranteed one, so that is why we are seeking your prayers.

As you move through December and all of its potential busyness, we want you to know that we are mindful of you, and that even though we don't see one another, we are thankful to be an extension of the body of Christ where you are, as we all serve Him together in the cause of His kingdom.

Have a blessed Christmas season!
Dejan and Julie