I shifted on the hard bench, tired of sitting but grateful for the privilege. Over the previous three days, my husband Xavier and I had spent countless hours standing in a crowded room waiting to submit our residency application, which was ultimately denied. But a consultation with a local lawyer had led us to the capital city and to someone who could help us get the required documentation.

We hoped. 

I closed my eyes and silently prayed, as I’d been doing all morning, asking the Lord to work everything out. And quickly.

Beyond needing long-term residency so Xavier and I could stay and minister for years to come, we also needed it to travel.

We were supposed to fly to another area of Asia for a conference to speak to a group of Muslim-background believers preparing to come to our region to share the Gospel. We were supposed to leave in three days, but the longer we waited in the lobby, the more I worried we wouldn’t get to go.

Eventually, we were called into an office, only to be sent down the hall to another. When we arrived, a secretary yelled at us, saying her boss was too busy and didn’t have time to see us.

“Come back in two hours.”

Xavier and I prayed in the courtyard, asking God to clear a path to all the opportunities He had planned for us. After a couple of hours, we headed back into the office.

When we arrived, the secretary wasn’t at her desk, but I did notice a woman pacing nearby. “Are you okay?” I asked.

She introduced herself as Layan before sharing her reason for being there.

“My husband was in jail for two months for overstaying his visa. Now, they’ve kicked him out of the country. But I’m pregnant with twins.” She motioned to her rounded belly. “I don’t know what to do without him.”

Instantly, the Lord brought to mind the story of Hagar and Ishmael sent to wander in the desert. I asked Layan if I could share it with her.

“Hagar was alone, in distress, and without hope, until she had an encounter with the God who sees.”

Tears fell from Layan’s eyes as I explained that God saw her too. “He understands what you’re going through. He cares, and so do I.”

As we exchanged phone numbers, the secretary reappeared wearing an irritated expression. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “The boss won’t be back today. Come tomorrow.”

After saying goodbye to Layan, my husband and I left the government building discouraged. We knew the Lord was aware of our dilemma. We knew He saw us just like He saw Hagar and Layan. So, why wasn’t He intervening?

That night, we received a call from our local friend Aibek, someone we were still trying to connect with on a deeper level. When Xavier shared about our dilemma, Aibek grew excited. “I have a relative who can help. Let me call him and see if he can meet you there tomorrow.”

The next morning, we met Farhad, a softspoken retiree. Xavier and I thanked him for coming, but I secretly doubted Farhad’s unassuming presence would make much difference.

Perhaps the Lord didn’t want us to go to the conference. Maybe the point of all these annoyances was simply to meet Layan and Farhad so they might encounter God through us.

With low expectations, we made our way back to the secretary’s desk. When Farhad spoke to her, she smiled and then immediately introduced us to her boss. He listened to our request and agreed to help. But when he directed us down the hall to yet another office, I feared we were about to hit another wall.

Then God surprised me!

Once again, the officials responded well to Farhad. We were seen quickly, received the necessary signatures and stamps on our documents and were able to get our residency application approved the same day. We were in awe.

God not only opened literal doors to meet with the people in authority, but He also granted us open doors to connect with Layan, Aibek, and even Farhad, who welcomed the idea of spending time together again after we returned from our conference.

The whole experience served as an incredible reminder that the Lord not only sees our struggles, but He sees beyond it to the bigger picture.

I can’t wait to discover what He has planned for us next.

Pray:

• Praise God for the incredible way He works! Ask Him to open more doors to unite field workers with people of peace.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of Muslim men and women like Layan, leading them to a personal relationship with Jesus.
• Ask God to prepare and send more workers who will bring Christ’s message of hope and salvation to the Muslim world.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**

Main photo on iStock: SDI Productions

Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/annoyances/