MARCH TO MAY NEWSLETTER
the UPdate:
Since my place of employment is in Spokane, In January I tried to obtain an American Religious workers Visa three times. I went to the border and got denied for different reasons every time which resulted in being photographed, fingerprinted, and flogged . . . ahem, I mean flagged each time as well. Late January a Congressional office in Spokane made an appeal on my behalf to determine what the exact issues were with my visa and to inquire what we could do about it. Early April, Officials in DC notified us a that decision had been made regarding my situation. They requested my signature to release the information to the Spokane office. I signed and faxed. Next thing we know, we know nothing. We contact them. They promise a final answer by May 1st. On May 7th the final answer came and it was, in a bunch of different words and reasons the equivalent of “No working. . . but you can visit.”
So I have just returned from a week’s visit to Spokane and although I left the Anderson’s with a full heart and eyes ready to spill over- there is so much to be happy, sad, and excited about.
But I bet that you’re wondering why I was denied. So then, to save you from deriding US government or thinking them unfair let me tell you that when considering my job description, they didn’t see it as a particularly “specialized” or “religious” occupation. So, a religious visa isn’t really appropriate: as I’m not an ordained minister, I do not fit their criteria. Also the laws concerning Religious workers were written with denominational churches in mind, so people like me who attend a non-denominational church and want to work for something like Lifeline which is a para-church organization of no particular denomination, well, we have a lot of explaining to do. I’m still not convinced that there isn’t some way to make a successful application, but for now, I accept the “no” and head humbly back to my basement to do the same work I would have been doing, had I been allowed across the border.
Interesting how things go. . . and yet in it all of it, I have heard God so clearly say HE is in charge and no one can challenge or over-rule His decisions. The border said “no” but when it comes to doing God’s will the answer is always “yes.” So I keep working on the book, the web site, the DVD Series, and a million other little projects that you’ll see coming out soon.
III(Three)GoodThings
Ok now. For all the good things that have been happening during this whole time of territorial interception:
I(One). I am in Abbotsford. Now for someone who has tried to leave, that might not sound like such a great thing. Oh but it is. There is something about coming back after being away for a while that opens your eyes up to what a place means to you. And when I came back at Christmas I was struck with how much I love Abbotsford. I still want to go and be other places for short periods of time (whatever that means) but this is my home and I have realized how much this place and its people (especially the people) mean to me. In this place I have invested as well as been invested in greatly. It’s also the most beautiful place on earth. I am loving being around so many of the people I love. We don’t always have that privilege, but it seems like right now, I get to. Plus now I can volunteer some time to be involved in worship, Interns, missions trips, and some creative endeavors that are top secret (just saying that to get you curious). So that’s good.
II(two); I am sure . . . All these shenanigans with Border Patrol Officers and Congressional appeals have caused me to think. . . and pray. Do I really want to work for Pastor Jim and Lifeline, or when the book is done should I do something else like go be a teacher in Fort Saint John or what about New Brunswick? But, despite the obstacles, it hasn’t been hard to hear my heart and the Lord agreeing that this is exactly where I should be. The hard stuff has only helped me narrow my vision and get to understand my own passion a little better. I feel like I have so much room to breath and dream and pray and do what I was created to do. It is clear to me now more than ever, that there is nothing I want to do more than help Pastor Jim and Lifeline get the message out. The more I work to help, the deeper the message works to continue changing my life. That’s good too.
III(three): And some dreams for the future: what if there was something like “Lifeline Canada”? What would it be? Is there a need for it? Would it help? What would it do? There are some of us here in Abbotsford who are probably not going to leave Abbotsford for Spokane on any permanent basis and yet we want to be part of this whole Lifeline message. What can we do? How can we help? Since I’m “stuck” up here but still working down there, I figure let’s start praying and seeing what we can do. Maybe organize some seminars for Pastor Jim. Maybe organize ourselves to begin to speak the message. Maybe create short films or artistic representations of the message. Maybe . . . oh I don’t know. But we’re thinking, talking, and praying about it. You can join us if you want, or if you have a group that you’d like to get the Lifeline message to, let me know. Maybe we’ll organize a trip and bring Pastor Jim out, or get a team together. Who knows. But it’s good.
Thoughts:
Someone once came to Mother Teresa and asked her to pray for him. “What would you like me to pray?” she asked. Distraught over some decisions he had to make, the man said, “Mother, I would like you to pray that I would have clarity.” She replied, “Oh no. I can not pray for that.” The man was shocked. “What do you mean?” he said, “I have watched your life and you have seemed to always have clarity. Why will you not pray the same for me.” She smiled and said gently. “I have never had clarity. What I have had is trust. I will pray that you will learn to trust.”
SUPPORT:
My ability to work for Lifeline is a result of the generous financial support of people like you in my church family and community at large. As I continue to work for Lifeline with a longer term commitment in mind, I would like to thank those of you who previously committed to and have supported me in so many different ways over the last six months. If you would like to continue giving, or if you would like to know how to get involved, please email me or give me a call. Thank you for your interest, care, and support!
PROGRESS REPORT
the Book:
The book has been interrupted by the DVD project (which I’ll get to). However, we are flying along with the book. All the main elements are in place and now we being more selective and precise, checking sources, looking for holes (things I missed that Pastor Jim wants in there), and etc. Since Pastor Jim has been preaching this message for a few years, it’s not like we write the book chapter by chapter, but rather the whole thing at one time. I listen to recordings of his sermons and transcribe from there, so there’s lots of re-arranging and changing spoken vernacular into a reading appropriate format. My goal is to have the first final rough draft completed by June.
DVD Project:
Pastor Jim has his whole seminar series on DVD and it has come to me for some
editing. I can imagine how crazy he must have felt, having to watch himself preach for10 hours while looking for errors in the filming / DVD formatting. So it has come to me to complete. Just watching it has challenged me and reminded me again of the importance of recognizing what we are living in and being wise instead of foolishly engulfed. It’s like a balloon being filled with helium and yet insisting it’s not going to float. Of course it is. What we fill ourselves with affects us. Our sex-saturated, comfort-driven, convenience on demand, appetite controlled society affects us. So since God has placed us here, how are we supposed to live? What’s our answer for our lives? How are we going to make a difference? Like Pastor Jim says, “Canada can only change to the extent that you are willing to change.” Anyway. The DVD got me going questioning my purity, ideas I allowed in my head, values I accepted from the culture. You know. All that. So, coming soon, there will be a DVD Series of Pastor Jim’s entire message for you to absorb on your own or in a small group or Bible study. Good stuff or what?!
Website:
Check it out. < www.lifeline-ministries.org > Every other month there is a newsletter for you to read. I’ve just completed a few additions to the Photo Gallery page with more photos to come. Click on the email link on the “contact us” page and give Pastor Jim a hello to encourage him or just to say you were looking at the web site. He’ll love it.
**IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY of what God’s done in your life as a result of hearing what Pastor Jim’s message, and you are willing to share it, please email me. You can remain anonymous if you like, but we are looking for real life stories for the book and for the testimony page on the website. Questions? Just ask me.
I now have my own personal home phone. Ok fine, it’s a cell phone. So far I’ve only received one call in a public place where I could look cool flipping that thing open and discovering who was on the other end. But coolness is hard to come by. So please, feel free to give me a call anytime with any questions or comments or whatever else people talk on the phone about..
www.lifeline-ministries.org hgsuderman@lifeline-ministries.org
the UPdate:
Since my place of employment is in Spokane, In January I tried to obtain an American Religious workers Visa three times. I went to the border and got denied for different reasons every time which resulted in being photographed, fingerprinted, and flogged . . . ahem, I mean flagged each time as well. Late January a Congressional office in Spokane made an appeal on my behalf to determine what the exact issues were with my visa and to inquire what we could do about it. Early April, Officials in DC notified us a that decision had been made regarding my situation. They requested my signature to release the information to the Spokane office. I signed and faxed. Next thing we know, we know nothing. We contact them. They promise a final answer by May 1st. On May 7th the final answer came and it was, in a bunch of different words and reasons the equivalent of “No working. . . but you can visit.”
So I have just returned from a week’s visit to Spokane and although I left the Anderson’s with a full heart and eyes ready to spill over- there is so much to be happy, sad, and excited about.
But I bet that you’re wondering why I was denied. So then, to save you from deriding US government or thinking them unfair let me tell you that when considering my job description, they didn’t see it as a particularly “specialized” or “religious” occupation. So, a religious visa isn’t really appropriate: as I’m not an ordained minister, I do not fit their criteria. Also the laws concerning Religious workers were written with denominational churches in mind, so people like me who attend a non-denominational church and want to work for something like Lifeline which is a para-church organization of no particular denomination, well, we have a lot of explaining to do. I’m still not convinced that there isn’t some way to make a successful application, but for now, I accept the “no” and head humbly back to my basement to do the same work I would have been doing, had I been allowed across the border.
Interesting how things go. . . and yet in it all of it, I have heard God so clearly say HE is in charge and no one can challenge or over-rule His decisions. The border said “no” but when it comes to doing God’s will the answer is always “yes.” So I keep working on the book, the web site, the DVD Series, and a million other little projects that you’ll see coming out soon.
III(Three)GoodThings
Ok now. For all the good things that have been happening during this whole time of territorial interception:
I(One). I am in Abbotsford. Now for someone who has tried to leave, that might not sound like such a great thing. Oh but it is. There is something about coming back after being away for a while that opens your eyes up to what a place means to you. And when I came back at Christmas I was struck with how much I love Abbotsford. I still want to go and be other places for short periods of time (whatever that means) but this is my home and I have realized how much this place and its people (especially the people) mean to me. In this place I have invested as well as been invested in greatly. It’s also the most beautiful place on earth. I am loving being around so many of the people I love. We don’t always have that privilege, but it seems like right now, I get to. Plus now I can volunteer some time to be involved in worship, Interns, missions trips, and some creative endeavors that are top secret (just saying that to get you curious). So that’s good.
II(two); I am sure . . . All these shenanigans with Border Patrol Officers and Congressional appeals have caused me to think. . . and pray. Do I really want to work for Pastor Jim and Lifeline, or when the book is done should I do something else like go be a teacher in Fort Saint John or what about New Brunswick? But, despite the obstacles, it hasn’t been hard to hear my heart and the Lord agreeing that this is exactly where I should be. The hard stuff has only helped me narrow my vision and get to understand my own passion a little better. I feel like I have so much room to breath and dream and pray and do what I was created to do. It is clear to me now more than ever, that there is nothing I want to do more than help Pastor Jim and Lifeline get the message out. The more I work to help, the deeper the message works to continue changing my life. That’s good too.
III(three): And some dreams for the future: what if there was something like “Lifeline Canada”? What would it be? Is there a need for it? Would it help? What would it do? There are some of us here in Abbotsford who are probably not going to leave Abbotsford for Spokane on any permanent basis and yet we want to be part of this whole Lifeline message. What can we do? How can we help? Since I’m “stuck” up here but still working down there, I figure let’s start praying and seeing what we can do. Maybe organize some seminars for Pastor Jim. Maybe organize ourselves to begin to speak the message. Maybe create short films or artistic representations of the message. Maybe . . . oh I don’t know. But we’re thinking, talking, and praying about it. You can join us if you want, or if you have a group that you’d like to get the Lifeline message to, let me know. Maybe we’ll organize a trip and bring Pastor Jim out, or get a team together. Who knows. But it’s good.
Thoughts:
Someone once came to Mother Teresa and asked her to pray for him. “What would you like me to pray?” she asked. Distraught over some decisions he had to make, the man said, “Mother, I would like you to pray that I would have clarity.” She replied, “Oh no. I can not pray for that.” The man was shocked. “What do you mean?” he said, “I have watched your life and you have seemed to always have clarity. Why will you not pray the same for me.” She smiled and said gently. “I have never had clarity. What I have had is trust. I will pray that you will learn to trust.”
SUPPORT:
My ability to work for Lifeline is a result of the generous financial support of people like you in my church family and community at large. As I continue to work for Lifeline with a longer term commitment in mind, I would like to thank those of you who previously committed to and have supported me in so many different ways over the last six months. If you would like to continue giving, or if you would like to know how to get involved, please email me or give me a call. Thank you for your interest, care, and support!
PROGRESS REPORT
the Book:
The book has been interrupted by the DVD project (which I’ll get to). However, we are flying along with the book. All the main elements are in place and now we being more selective and precise, checking sources, looking for holes (things I missed that Pastor Jim wants in there), and etc. Since Pastor Jim has been preaching this message for a few years, it’s not like we write the book chapter by chapter, but rather the whole thing at one time. I listen to recordings of his sermons and transcribe from there, so there’s lots of re-arranging and changing spoken vernacular into a reading appropriate format. My goal is to have the first final rough draft completed by June.
DVD Project:
Pastor Jim has his whole seminar series on DVD and it has come to me for some
editing. I can imagine how crazy he must have felt, having to watch himself preach for10 hours while looking for errors in the filming / DVD formatting. So it has come to me to complete. Just watching it has challenged me and reminded me again of the importance of recognizing what we are living in and being wise instead of foolishly engulfed. It’s like a balloon being filled with helium and yet insisting it’s not going to float. Of course it is. What we fill ourselves with affects us. Our sex-saturated, comfort-driven, convenience on demand, appetite controlled society affects us. So since God has placed us here, how are we supposed to live? What’s our answer for our lives? How are we going to make a difference? Like Pastor Jim says, “Canada can only change to the extent that you are willing to change.” Anyway. The DVD got me going questioning my purity, ideas I allowed in my head, values I accepted from the culture. You know. All that. So, coming soon, there will be a DVD Series of Pastor Jim’s entire message for you to absorb on your own or in a small group or Bible study. Good stuff or what?!
Website:
Check it out. < www.lifeline-ministries.org > Every other month there is a newsletter for you to read. I’ve just completed a few additions to the Photo Gallery page with more photos to come. Click on the email link on the “contact us” page and give Pastor Jim a hello to encourage him or just to say you were looking at the web site. He’ll love it.
**IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY of what God’s done in your life as a result of hearing what Pastor Jim’s message, and you are willing to share it, please email me. You can remain anonymous if you like, but we are looking for real life stories for the book and for the testimony page on the website. Questions? Just ask me.
I now have my own personal home phone. Ok fine, it’s a cell phone. So far I’ve only received one call in a public place where I could look cool flipping that thing open and discovering who was on the other end. But coolness is hard to come by. So please, feel free to give me a call anytime with any questions or comments or whatever else people talk on the phone about..
www.lifeline-ministries.org hgsuderman@lifeline-ministries.org
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Love Sue