Very UNEXPECTED News!!!

We have some very unexpected and surprising news for you...

On Friday, 13th of February we found out that we must return to the U.S.A. permanently on Monday, 2nd of March.

As many of you will know, Andrew is not a US citizen rather a Permanent Resident. He is an Australian citizen as he was born there and lived the first seven years of his life before his family immigrated to Houston, Texas. For the past three years Andrew has been in the process of applying for US citizenship, and on Monday, February the 9th he received the sad news that his application was denied due to the fact that they believe he has been out of the US too much over the past three years. He will have to re-apply again three years after Monday, March 2nd. At present he must return to the US permanently in order to retain his Permanent Resident status. We are asking everyone to be in fervent prayer on Monday, March 2nd (THIS MONDAY) as there is a risk of Andrew being detained at the airport immigration control point. Please pray for safe passage with no complications as we go through immigration. This risk is present because his two year travel document which allowed him to stay out of the country expired while we were waiting (since the Aug 2008 citizenship interview) for the INS to make the final decision about Andrew's citizenship.

Though this news is unexpected, and not at all a part of our plans, we can clearly see the Lord's hand in it. We look forward to seeing why He has done this and what wonderful ministry awaits us in the US. Andrew will continue his PhD studies in America on a part-time basis. At present he has a little less then two years remaining to graduate.

We are very sad to leave our friends and productive ministry here in Kiltarlity/Kirkhill, Scotland. We have been overwhelmed by the love, care, and support that they and other churches in the area that Andrew has ministered to have poured out upon us. They have been a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ to us and to the world looking on this example of the body of Christ in wonderful action. We also are very grateful to all our "Christian family" back in the US who have been holding us up in faithful prayer as we walk through this trial.
PLEASE PRAY FOR US...

PRAYER POINTS
• Please pray MONDAY 1.30PM and onward as this is when we will be going through IMMIGRATION and will be at greatest risk. Pray that we will have favor with "men" and walk through with no complications or questions. (Note: In Houston, Texas a prayer meeting is being organized for all those who are able to attend!!!! Contact: Helen 281-379-4089)
• Please pray for us as we finish all the details of moving internationally over the next few days.
• Please pray as we say our goodbyes to all our friends
• Please pray for health for each of us as it is the cold season and we are all struggling a bit.
• Please pray for our journey: Sunday around 10pm (Scotland time) we will be driving a rental minivan to Edinburgh, three hours journey, to check into our flight at 3.30am Monday morning. We fly to Amsterdam and then on straight to Houston. Please pray for safety, comfort during our journey, children, safety for all our luggage.
• Please pray for the Church here Kiltarlity Free Church to be able to replace us in good time and continue fervently in ministry.
• Please pray for our possessions to travel safely to Houston on the boat, with no added expense.
• Pray for the next chapter in our lives as Andrew seeks for a full-time ministry position in the US.