Friday, January 18, 2008

It's over

"The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. . . . yet will I trust in Him."
Job 4:25, 13:15

The hearing for our appeal was today. They upheld the last decision. Deportation.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Will and Phyllis, I have been checking every half hour hoping to find great news to send out on the prayer list. I'm so sorry things have turned this way. Will be praying for the future and the choices and decisions you will be making.

Robin

Anonymous said...

I second Robin re: much prayer for the future. Though we certainly don't understand this, our God is merciful and has your best in store for you. We will continue to lift you up in prayer and pray God's abundant blessings over you in your remaining time there. Much love for each of you, Anna

Anonymous said...

Dear Will and Phyllis, I'm heartbroken for you, and so sorry to hear this. We weep with you and for you...yet knowing that our Father in heaven superintends all, and knows what's best, or intends good to come from this hard thing, some way that only He can see right now. We will continue to pray fervently for your decisions, planning, material needs, etc. Wish I could give you each a big hug right now, but soon enough, Lord willing. I love each of you very much,

D/B/G

Anonymous said...

How we ache for you--even while resting in God's sovereignty and goodness. Our prayers blanket you during the packing, planning, grieving, regrouping process that we know is just beginning.

Deep love....

Allie said...

Oh Phyllis, I'm so so sorry to hear this. We will be praying for you. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help.

Allie for all of us

Mrs said...

Weeping and trusting with you. I KNOW God is good, I KNOW God has a plan. How I wish we could be there to help!

You are loved.

DaDaHaZaReJe said...

Only because I KNOW God loves you and has a good plan for you all can I think that somehow this is best. It brings to mind a picture of a small child walking beside her Father, her hand held firmly in His, as He leads her around danger on the pathway. His desire is to protect her but her immediate assumption is that they couldn't possibly be going the right way. Walking and trusting and aching with you.

Love,
Dawn for all the Rigels

Anonymous said...

I have just gotten home to see this news. Have been praying so much and really expected it to be GOOD NEWS! But, in God's planning, somehow it is. Love you all very much, Baba Julie

Anonymous said...

I mourn with you for your loss, but know full well that God is in complete control. I am excited to see what the Lord has for you next. I will be praying for your friends at the Kovrov church and their upcoming loss. I know that you, Will, and the children will be sorely missed.
Love,
Dad

Unknown said...

Dear Phyllis and Will.

This is uncle Tom. I have been watching from afar the uncertainty, and accompanying hope, you have gone through.

I don't think I can even imagine the feeling of being uprooted from the land you so love, the only solace being that you have two loving families and many friends awaiting your return...

Norma's and my thoughts are with you.

Tom.

Anonymous said...

You are in my prayers. I know that you are trusting the Lord, but it is still a heartbreaking outcome. I am weeping with you, but know that joy comes in the morning. I pray you will experience His comfort in an awesome way, and see His hand in all that transpires from here.
Amy Carmichael's poem "Not In Vain" is very encouraging... I will email it to you.
Love, Caryn

Alissa Maxwell said...

Oh Phyllis - I have been checking daily in hopes that your appeal would bring good news. So sorry to hear. URGH! We will be praying for comfort and clear direction as to wha

Anonymous said...

Maya and I are praying for you! So sorry to hear how this has turned out. We will be praying that God makes your next step clear, and that he show you his grace in extra measure.

Agape said...

Oh Phyllis, I am terribly, terribly , terribly sorry to hear this! I know your heart must just be breaking....I really can't believe that you can't go back for 5 years??? That seems CRAZY! I pray that God brings you all a sense of peace and comfort right now. How sad to have to say goodbye to the place you love so much. God willing it is only temporary. Look how quickly the last five years have gone by. In that time you will do a lot of wonderful things and be a blessing to everyone around you and your precious family. Christ our true God bless, protect, comfort and guide Will and Phyllis and their dear children.

I am very happy for your parents that will be able to enjoy their grandchild for more then just a vacation. I pray that out of all this sadness for you that much joy will soon follow!

With all my love and prayers, Lisa

Anonymous said...

So sad for you all! We're continuing to pray for you as you make your next plans. Let us know if there is anything we can do to make your transition easier.
Love to you all!
-Kristen for the Linduffs

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize you couldn't go back for 5 years. I am very sorry for all of you. I will be praying for you. Please keep us updated on the blog. I have really enjoyed reading about your lives in Russia. I'm sure God will have something special in mind here in the US. You have a special family... 3 great kids and both sets of grandparents seem very special and loving. I wish for your family the best that God has for you. Even though your heart breaks.

Laura T. :)

Anonymous said...

We're thinking about you and know you've got heavy hearts right now. So do we...
We pray God's comfort and direction for you all. With our love, The Lyles

Anonymous said...

Our family is also grieving with you as well as lifting you before the Lord during such a difficult time.

I know this is probably last on your mind (or maybe not?) but could there be a possibility of you being in another Russian speaking country, like Ukraine, until the time is when you can re-enter Russia? Obviously, that option would keep you infiltrated into the language, culture and ministry within the people grouping you dearly love! Forgive me if it is too soon to be thinking such thoughts.

Our prayer is that you will feel God's embrace as you grieve, say your goodbyes and return to your American home. We pray that your time with family is a blessing even amongst the trials you are facing. May the Lord grant you direction and wisdom for the days to come.

~Sarah, Eric and our little Ukrainian family =)

Anonymous said...

Dear Will and Phyllis,

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning".
Psalm 30:5

I pray that this nighttime of weeping will pass quickly and that the dawn of the morning will bring more joy than you could have ever imagined.

You are deeply loved by many, including your Grandma Burton.

Loving Life said...

Oh guys! I am so incredibly sorry for you all!!!! We will be praying for you all thru every step of this transition! love you!

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine the hurt you must feel having to leave home like this. I'm so sorry your dreams aren't turning out like you'd hoped. God knows and has amazing plans for your lives; He has never left you in spite of how dim it must look now.

Anonymous said...

Phyllis, remember this?

God hath not promised
Skies always blue
Flower -strewn pathways
All our lives through
God hath not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain
But God hath promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor
Light for the way
Grace for the trials
Help from above
Unfailing sympathy
Undying Love

All our love and prayers- hold fast!
Shae

Leslie Noelani Laurio said...

Phyllis, I'm so sorry to hear this - I really thought it would go the other way.

Anonymous said...

I just received the news about your deportation. I am so sorry to hear that you can't go back for 5 years. How heartbreaking! I know that your love for Russia won't end just because you can't be there. Prayers and messages can still be interchanged.
We will be praying for you and your family during this transition of your life. With love in Christ,
Kathy for the Bakers

Anonymous said...

Will and Phyllis,
May the Lord multiply His grace and peace to you as you grieve and prepare to leave your beloved home. May you rest in Him and His good plan for your lives. You remain in my prayers.

Love in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Dawn Dresser