Last week I wrote about the different things we've tried to get into the USA for a longer period. After a lot of setbacks, but also big blessings we had a conversation that once again ruined our new plans. That's where we'll continue.
The phone call
The woman of Visa Versa told us the following:
Even though the visa is valid for 10 years, there's a six month maximum of staying in America, so let go of the 8 months plan.
If you decide to apply for a long term visa and it gets rejected, you are no longer part of the Visa Waiver Program that gets you into America for 'free', if you want to spend 3 months or less there. That means that every time you want to go to the USA, you need to pay $160 p.p.
She also told us that the chance of rejection was as good as 100% because we are planning to help out in a church. Everything that has to do with religion, is being labeled as 'cult' by the American Consulate in Amsterdam, so all the visa applications that are about that, will almost automatically be rejected.
Her advice, don't go down this rabbit hole, because you're bound to come out without a visa and with a whole lot of problems for the next time you want to go to the States.
Our doubts
Ramon and I were quite devastated. Now what? What do you do in a situation in which you're certain you've been called, there's a lot of confirmations and blessings, but at the same time, a lot of doors are closing in your face?
And how do you interpret what's happening? Are these setbacks God shutting the door or is it resistance of the enemy that's trying to make sure we're not walking the path God has for us?
And if I'm being extremely honest with you. Ramon and I really thought it was extra hard because of the people around us. We're really aware of the fact that sometimes, we make very special decisions, that a lot of people don't understand. And also of the fact that there are people in our surroundings that don't believe that we do this because we feel called. All of that is okay and most of the time we aren't really bothered by it. We still love each and every one of these people, despite our different opinions. But both Ramon and I would've loved it if this trip to America would've been an awesome testimony, to show that God still sends. That He still holds everything, even if the odds are not in your favor at all. A fact that we both believed and believe wholeheartedly, but with the way things are going, wasn't really made visible for the people around us.
We asked God: Why can't you just go: 'tadaaa here's your visa and the needed funds?' Instead, it was: we're going for 2 years. Oh no, 8 months and 4 months. Oh wait, that's not happening either.
Praying, looking for wisdom and a new plan
Ramon and I wanted to get back to the drawing boards, but truth be told, there was not a lot to be drawn. We had only 2 options left, neither of which was great.
We could jump into the deep with two feet forward, with our eyes closed and believe that God would give us the visa and all the necessary fundings. Risks/downsides: It'll cost $800 to only apply, with a 99% chance of rejection, that will lead to another $800 every time we want to re-enter the USA.
Not take that risk and go on a regular tourist visa. Downsides: we can only go for 3 months time, we have to keep our house here in the Netherlands, so extra costs and if we want to go again, it'll cost us another plane ticket.
We decided to get our network involved and ask them for wisdom and prayer next to our own prayers. We asked a number of people from the Road Church what their opinion was, next to our friends here in the Netherlands. We're working on a collaboration with AOG-missions and turned to them for their experience and expertise too. A lot of these people asked good questions and had great remarks. Eventually, we decided to go for option number 2.
We still don't know whether this all is a closed door from God or resistance from the enemy, but we do not want to not do something because the enemy is trying to keep us from doing it. And even if it turns out to be a door closed by God, it is still just 3 months and we still went there with a heart that wanted to follow and obey God. And even if we did misunderstand all of this and we're at the wrong place, then God can still work through us and use us. Besides all of the above, this option still fits our family's mission:
Helping people, places, and organizations to be as strong as possible.
We believe that God has called us to go from place to place, to support and help built different initiatives and people, but always with the intent of leaving and them doing it themselves. This we can do with the Road too with this option. And after we leave? Well, that's where the miracle of Skype has been invented for right?
As of this week, we will change the website a little. A new budget will be posted and I'll write the new plans on our USA page too.
