From Merlisa
Hebrews 12: 2-- “ looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith......”
Our bags were packed ready to travel to Cameroon to begin our labor with the Lord, without my Permanent Residency card, waiting patiently on the Lord to receive it in time to leave the country. My family was worried that I was making a foolish decision to leave the country, and they were worried that I would not be able to come back into Canada. Well, that risk I was willing to take for the Lord.
I was supposed to receive the PR card by then but Immigration slapped another 9 months on the the waiting period for everybody. I got dismayed but we put it to the Lord in prayer. I believed that God would give us the PR card before we were to leave, but upon calling Immigration it was not ready yet. We had to go to Cameroon for the handover from the Roses and to get an understanding of the Lassin mission.
We all decided to go despite that risk for me of not coming back into Canada. God gave us the moneys to travel with and we left safely, got through Immigration without problems and got to our destination. I was fearful that Immigration would not not let me pass through because I did not have the PR but I had my US visa.
Our transition in Africa went well. We arrived to a very warm welcome, from the Roses, Jessica and the local teachers and church members. Charles our GMI contact in Douala was such a lovely host. We got to meet Gary Roberts and his family. Incidentally we were supposed to have gone to Chad initially to work with them. Elebert, Charles and Steve had a sit down with Gary to brainstorm where the mission grows from this point.
At the end of the school year we had to come to Canada because I was scheduled for my landing appointment with Immigration. Of course I missed the first appointment which was scheduled for May 2011. I sent them my excuse for missing my appointment and had to tell them that I was out on mission, which I was afraid to tell them lest they stop my immigration process.(because of the negative comments from family and friends) Now another interesting thing is that there was a Canada Post Strike, which kind of helped my situation.
My family and I continued to pray that God would bring us back safely and allow me to pass back into Canada safely. God provided the money for us to travel back to Canada. I had to trust in God. For He who has begun the work in us will finish it. My husband reassured me that God is faithful. Riding on the greyhound we all got off the bus to go to immigration. I kept praying in my mind.
The officer asked “where did we come from?” We said Cameroon. He asked me if I lived in Canada and how long. I answered that I was waiting for my PR. He asked for supporting documents and so I gave him the work permit I had and my eligibility letter from immigration. He examined all and said “ you can go right ahead.” I was so elated. We thanked God for delivering us.
When my family and friends all thought they would not see me come back to Canada, saying that I was crazy to leave,here I am back in Canada through Christ to get my permanent residency.
During a conversation with my family, I reassured them God will see me through. My sister said “ another god.” Then my mom said (sarcastically) “ Your God will take care of you.” Then I said “this same God will do it for me.”
Since we have been back, we have had the privilege of sharing the witness of God's love with people who have had negative experiences with Adventists in their life. One of which happens to be my half sister's sister. She arrived shortly after we did. And we were able to share God's truth with her and will continue to do so at every opportunity. We also got to share our experiences at one of the churches and one Lady afterward came to ask details on one of the remedies we used to help a couple of kids at the school. At another church we shared some principles to help them in their revival and witnessing. We continue to look for more opportunities to share our experiences and help others to risk it all and get everything!
Praise God for His benefits towards me and my family.(Estellah, Elebert, Merlisa)
