Homeward Bound

This is the rundown

           I joined YWAM Scotland for 3 months to do a course regarding frontier missions. The VISA I came to Scotland with was considered a Tier 5 Religious Worker. This VISA has the potential to let me stay in the Country for up to 2yrs. I was only given 3months entry and if and when I decided to stay on as staff they would extend it to the full 2yrs. I connected with the YWAM base in N.Ireland who have the same focus on ministry of reconciliation as myself. I was in the process of extending my VISA as I was staying in the UK with YWAM. But the location in N.Ireland has been in the process of moving. They themselves have to reapply to be able to issue VISA's as well as EXTEND VISA's. They have not yet received the documentation needed to extend the Tier 5 Religious Worker VISA. 

           I was hoping I could leave the country and renter as a tourist until the N.Ireland base was able to extend my VISA... but once I enter on as a tourist I can't work as a volunteer legally. Where this VISA would allow me to stay another 6months, when it was over I would need to stay out of the country for consecutively six months before being allowed back in. This would be extremely difficult to leave my ministry once starting and this is for a full six months. The only way to receive any other VISA is to apply for it within the US. It's all a little confusing and if you could count how many times I used the word VISA it might just make you say all right already... but there it is. That's the basics at least and the end result is that I am coming home. I will be arriving in LAX at 5pm Monday as long as nothing else goes wrong :p  

          I really feel at peace about this craziness... knowing that even if I don't understand it now, in do time all will be revealed. I will be applying for a residential VISA (there’s another one) as soon as the N.Ireland base give me the green light. I'm excited to share with all of you the Vision God has given me for countries with a history of conflict to ultimately be reconciled. By building a team and partnering with the N.Ireland base I believe it is the perfect location to see reconciliation between the Protestant's and Catholic's, as it's on the border of the North and Republic of Ireland. I know that God has amazing things in store for this group within the YWAM community and I am so very excited to be apart of it. To then take DTS "disciple training school" students to the frontiers. To places like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos. Where conflict has been the infection that has keep people in cages. In 2 Cor 5 Paul talks about the calling God has given us... I have been called to a ministry of Reconciliation. The greatest ministry in my opinion is to reconcile people not only to each other but to Christ. 

Ok so I'm getting of subject but I did just want to give you a short rundown with regards to why I am coming home quite a bit earlier then anticipated. 

Thank you for your loving prayers and support, and once again there is a purpose even if it’s not crystal clear. See you soon.

In Him,

Lauren-Jean