Personal Testimonies Part 2
James 1:2-4: “Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”[1]
April, 2021 / Kuala Lumpur International Airport
This saga begins with the application (2.5 month late) for a U.S. Visa for my Malaysian husband (Segaran) to accompany me to visit my aged mother in America. It was Covid time—and the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia—across the ocean from us—was barely functioning.
My husband had neglected to check his (now expired) previous U.S. Visa, and we already had our flight tickets for 2 weeks thence. Since this particular blog is not about the minor miracles God wrought to get him that visa in time, I won’t go into detail here. But, already, that crazy venture had left us ‘wrung out!’
Because this U.S. Visa was issued to my husband just the day before we were to fly out of KL, Segaran’s permit to leave Malaysia (a new Covid decree) was REJECTED. (it’s re-filing landed in the government office several minutes after the office had closed. Too late!)
And my husband chose to ignore his older brother’s timely advice to cancel his flight ticket before it was completely forfeited. (This brother is on the board of a major international airline, mind you.) Segaran felt in his spirit—the Lord was going to get him through. Thus, we naively made off for the airport, with all our clothes packed into one suitcase instead of two!
We faced no problems at check-in.
It was at immigration that things became dramatic. Upon my husband’s producing his rejected exit visa, he was (of course) promptly informed by the officer attending him that “there is no way you are leaving Malaysia!” She remained immovable, with “Absolutely NOT! You, Mr. Tan, are not going anywhere! What part of ‘NO!’ do you not understand?” – etc.
Of course, we eventually asked to speak to someone ‘higher up the totem pole.’ We were gracious. (Princess Di would’ve been impressed.) But our officer snorted and pointed to the 4 stars on her lapel, informing us dryly that she was that higher authority! There was no one else!
It amazes me, in looking back, that this massive immigration hall—perpetually riddled with long lines—was completely empty of people. It was the middle of the night, but STILL! So, we were able to hold our ground for what seemed forever!
Nevertheless, after 80 minutes of trying every tactic we could think of: my mother’s supposed dire condition, my age, my incapacity, etc., I was finally ready to give up!
I looked up to heaven and sighed, “Well, Lord, I SURRENDER! I GIVE IN! I guess You just have a better plan! I certainly don’t understand all the minor miracles You did for us to get us to this point—only to run into an immobile brick wall—but I’m just going to THANK YOU, and count it ALL JOY!”
The very next thing I knew, ‘Ms. V.I.P.’ was saying to us: “Well, what kind of proof do you have of what you’re telling me? I’m trying to HELP you here!”
Huh?? She’s trying to HELP us?? Well now, that’s interesting!
We scrambled thru our documents, having nothing much to show. Shortly, I heard her say: “Mr. Tan, I’m going to let you through this time. But take this as a warning; don’t you ever try this again!”
(After which, being the spiritual giant that I am, I promptly burst into tears!)
HERE WAS OUR MIRACLE!
The turning point came immediately after I prayed—”I choose, Lord, to count this ALL JOY!
ACTION Point!
What minor miracles or changes in your circumstances have come out of your ‘counting it all JOY’ in adversity? (Please share in my comments section.)
[1] NIV