Jason suddenly paused and stared at his phone, its light reflecting on his face. I looked at him. “What?” I asked.

“Look at this,” he said, turning his phone screen to me. My eyes scanned, seeking a clue to Jason’s interest. At the top I saw a red bird-of-paradise logo—Papua New Guinea? And at the bottom—what was that? Something like a driver’s license with Jason’s picture on it. Then I saw the words in bold letters: Worker’s Permit. “But I thought we missed the deadline in November! Isn’t the immigration office closed?”

“I thought so.”

“But I thought there was a mixup with the . . .”

“So did I!”

New thoughts crowded my mind. Does this mean we’ll be able to go to Papua New Guinea soon? Are our visas coming now? How did this happen? I’m not ready! I should be excited. God has done a miracle! But we still have so much to do, and family to visit this month! Breathe. God has the timing worked out like He always does.

Over the next few days, the questions began to be answered. Yes, indeed, this work permit was a miracle! No, our visas were not coming yet. They would arrive sometime after the immigration office opens again in January, so I didn’t have to worry about leaving for a few more weeks. And so we wait for God’s perfect timing to play out. And by “wait” I mean we are scurrying around getting medical paperwork finished, buying supplies we will need in PNG, ordering homeschool curricula for the next three years, setting up bank accounts that will work overseas—the list is long. But we know it will all get done in God’s time. I’m just curious to see how God will do it!

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