Email from Andy & Nancy Raatz

"October 21, 2007

I feel stuck in one of those lame spy movies, with a bomb and digital
countdown display planted under my seat. The numbers keep counting
downward toward zero, with only 12 days left.

The countdown is about our living permits. In order to stay in
Moldova, we need to obtain living permits for our family and for
Shauna, the Missionary Associate that is teaching our children. We
have been working on these documents since the day we arrived, so it
isn't because of procrastination! We have all received 1/2 of the
needed documents (the work permit), but have hit a seemingly-
impassible roadblock at the Ministry of Immigration. If we do not
have the permits, we must leave the country for 3 months.

The director of immigration has granted one permit, mine (Andy's).
That is obviously not enough! He claims that he has granted the
quota for the year already (a point of disagreement that there
actually IS a quota, but such is life). It doesn't appear to be an
issue of cash either.

Last Friday, or national leadership had another round of meetings at
this office, with letters of recommendations from other government
leaders. We are expecting to hear back by Tuesday at the latest.

We want to stay in Moldova! This is our home. There are always
projects and ministries that we labor toward. But more than
anything, we want to stay HOME.

I simply am asking if you would pray for us. If you would remember
us in prayer this Monday and Tuesday, we would be very appreciative.

In those lame spy movies, the hero always cut the wire with 3 seconds
left. Everyone is saved with mere seconds on the clock.

But we are in a lame spy movie. Nothing is scripted or packaged.
Yet for some reason, I feel at peace. I am confident in the Christ
that I serve. Jesus' timing is always just right, and we trust that
all will go through this week.

We serve a great God. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

Your missionaries to Moldova,
Andy & Nancy Raatz"