The Dance

I've never really liked dancing.  I mean, I have a great deal of respect for those who can dance (that is, those who can actually dance, not just shake their bodies in awkwardly).  And I suppose I can understand why they enjoy it.  But I've never really cared for dancing myself.

However, it turns out I'm going to be learning how to dance after all.  No I'm not planning on taking dance lessons, but I am learning to take part in another kind of dance.  Let's call it "the immigration dance."

Perhaps a few of you have participated in this dance before?  From what I can tell it is a very slow, tedious, and strange dance.  Many people who dance it just have one other partner to dance with (their friendly, neighborhood government of choice); but a few people like me have two partners to dance with.  It was while writing an e-mail to my third partner that it occurred to me that what I was learning and starting to participate in was a dance.  Now I knew why it was so difficult and felt so awkward...

As I work with the Newport Church of Christ, the British government, and my own twisted feet to find a way to legally minister and live in the United Kingdom, I am realizing that it is a very important, but very challenging dance.  My own part will require filling out a number of forms, proving I have sufficient funds, attesting to my English skills (hopefully the easiest part :)), and eventually interviewing at a British consulate.  But as with any dance, I am not the only person dancing.  The Newport congregation has a more daunting step to learn.  They must show the British government that they are a reputable Christian organization, apply for a certificate of sponsorship (to sponsor my work with them), and then fill out a bunch more forms as well.  This is made much more complicated by the fact that they must first register as a charitable trust before doing any of this (a step many churches of any size in the States have likely already had to do).

Add to this that the British government (like all governments) will most likely feel obligated to thwart the dance at every turn.  It's always tough when you have a dance partner that isn't sure they want this whole dancing thing to work.  Yet for the dance to work we must all move together, in the proper steps, and in the proper rhythm.  It is indeed daunting...

I would be pretty concerned about all of this dancing business if I hadn't already been learning to dance already.  True the immigration dance is quite new to me.  But when I surrendered my life to Jesus 10 years ago, I started learning to dance with Him.  He has served as both instructor and partner throughout all this time, despite my stubbornness, resistance, and total lack of skill.  And now as I learn this immigration dance I trust that He is directing our steps and showing us where to go next (even if the UK government doesn't realize or recognize it).  He will bring us together into our right places at the right times to accomplish His right purposes.

I dearly covet your prayers, insights, and encouragement as I begin this dance in earnest.  Strangely it is the prelude to Act 1, setting the stage for the story to begin.  Still it is enormously important.  Thank you for moving with me through this, even if just in spirit.