Update on visas

After over 5 months of waiting and praying, we finally received an answer to our visa renewal applications over the weekend. We were refused. Each of us received a letter briefly explaining the reasons the border officer was issuing this decision, and since our current visas have already expired, we must leave Canada "immediately". This generally means within 30 days or we will be deported through legal action. 

Of course this came as a great shock, since nothing has changed on our end and our other renewals were always granted. We have spoken several times this week to an immigration consultant referred to us to see if there is any recourse. In considering the various options he gave and the current border restrictions, as well as many other factors, it seems tenuous at best to pursue any of them. 

This week we have been in touch with our overseeing pastors, our supporting pastors, our sending pastor, our missions organization pastor and others, and in this counsel we have concluded that our season here is coming to a close. 

We are filled with a flurry of emotions, but we have made the difficult decision to leave Canada permanently.

This doesn't mean the church will end; Calvary Chapel Edmonton is a successfully planted church! Dejan is working with our church elders to transition to this new season and will be involved throughout that process.

In the coming days and weeks we will post more, but for now, we wanted to announce this turn of events and ask for prayer. We need wisdom, strength, guidance and clarity as we move quickly to enact all the various logistical factors. We need grace to process along with the church this sudden news. We will need provision and favour in our financial obligations for moving. And we need encouragement from the Lord as we are stepping into an entirely new situation.

We are grateful for all of you who stay up on our news and who support and pray for us.

More soon,

Dejan and Julie <><