God's Answer So Far...

Well, today did not go as we thought it might...

But - 

I am sure God's hand is stirring.

Last week in my personal Bible story-telling studying I had been reading about the woman from Shunem who Elisha told to take her family and leave because the Lord had decreed a famine to hit Israel for 7 years. She proceeded to do as she was told and went to live in a foreign land for 7 years, then returned. When she came back she went to the king to beg for house and land back. Now it "just so happened" that the king had earlier that day asked Elisha's servant to tell him all the great things that Elisha had done. He had just finished telling about the boy whom Elisha had raised from the dead when who should walk in but the mother of that boy, with her son.

When the king found that this was the woman, he asked to hear her story. She confirmed all that the king had just heard. The king then appointed an official to her case and instructed the official to return her house and land AND all the income from her land from the day she left the country until this day.

When I read that I started praying for "an official" here in Belize, who would help us. 

Today, I called the customs broker to find out that certain wording in our exemption was actually costing us a great deal of money in this case. No one here did anything wrong or intentional, it is just that changes have happened in the government, so some procedures are being handled differently than they were in the past.

It was suggested that if we had another letter with different wording, it would be worth a  great deal. So...travel to Belmopan...intending to pick up the first letter which should have been signed and waiting for us.

Just before we get to the capital building, we get in touch with the District Superintendent, so instead of going in along, we wait and go with him. That's official number one, but not a Government official. In trying to assess where we are and what we can do, we seem to hit a roadblock. While we are standing right outside the Finance offices, a lady walks out who instantly recognizes Rev. Tzib and calls him by name. 

Long story shorter, this "official" not only knows him, but is a member at one of our Nazarene churches in Belize (one I have not been to yet, but WILL!) Louise hears our situation from the DS and immediately goes to see what she can find out. When she returns moments later, she suggests a new plan that MAY reverse the huge duties that are being levied against us right now. Yeah! It is not a done deal but it is a great mental boost for us.

PRAY that this second letter is approved and that ALL DUTY IS WAIVED!

We are still concerned about our stuff sitting on the docks as it could become vulnerable to theft, etc. - but Becki said God checked her on that the other day as she was getting anxious. She heard God say "You're hanging on." So she felt that nudge to release our 'stuff' that has already been purchased with God's money, send down here with God's money and is being protected or 'placed' with God's full awareness.

We are excited to see a testimony in the process of being built that will glorify God.

P.S. I shared with the 'official' - Louise the story from 2 Kings and told her that I was glad to meet her as I had been wondering who our God appointed official was going to be!!

Keep praying - we'll tell the rest as soon as it happens!!

Ray & Becki & Rachel  (& Brittany , who was with us for this long, interesting day...)