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Hoping against hope

Hoping against hope. My only option – find a position where I could get “Employer sponsorship visa” by University/Research institute University policy – contractual work only. At a FOCUS meeting (attended at May’s request). 1 Kings 17:15-16 (NIV)

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Hoping against hope

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  1. Hoping against hope

  2. My only option – find a position where I could get “Employer sponsorship visa” by University/Research institute University policy – contractual work only

  3. At a FOCUS meeting (attended at May’s request) 1 Kings 17:15-16 (NIV) 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:5-6 (NIV) 5 So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

  4. The widow and the crow Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26) Mom: Could I tell you a story of Elijah and the widow and the crow? Weak Unreliable Unlikely providers

  5. Dec, 2012 • Westmead hospital research lab – U Syd • Everything looks promising • Looking for my specialty • Position vacant for 2 years • Collaborator of my supervisor • New year’s eve – bad news

  6. The countdown begins Job 3 (NIV) 11“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? 20“Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, 25What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. 26I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” • The count down begins • Student visa expires approx. 3 months after thesis submission • Difficult time • “If I could just die in a crash” was a frequent thought • Easier than dealing with great uncertainty and living with no dignity • “God doesn’t care” • Rob had it tough too – big change from a secured life

  7. March, 2013 Two weeks before thesis is finalised Ready to pack and go home Supervisor (J) suddenly obtained small funding – 6 months

  8. Within two weeks • Westmead hospital invited me back for another interview • 3 year contract offered on the spot • From no job to two offers at the same time • Where to go? • Going to Westmead secures my stay in Sydney • But it also means end of Marsfield bible study group… that I really liked!

  9. New beginning.. of many other countdowns • Mar-Sep, 2013 – Initial 6 months contract • Sept – Dec, 2013 – Supervisor (J) exhausted his previous funding, but secured $2 mil with my other supervisor • Created a 3 year position • Contender – another fellow EF Christian whose contract terminates earlier than mine, senior researcher • Said person later supported by another grant • I’ll get the contract, yay (?)

  10. More complications • Dec, 2013 – Jan, 2014 Supervisor (J) head hunted to another University • Absolutely no forewarning • “I could only extend you for another 2 months” • “I no longer have any influence on the 3 year contract”

  11. Back to the countdown Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. • Three weeks before I get deported • Where do I get a job and visa in three weeks? • But it is a little bit different this time • Assurance that God will provide • Two weeks before contract termination • Extended by another supervisor (H) for three months • “The money was supposed to be for Supervisor (J)’s replacement

  12. Mar-June, 2014 • Replacement for supervisor (J) couldn’t be found • However, another researcher joined on his own funding – free replacement for (J) • Finally, in July, 2014 I was told my contract would be a full three years • Great relief

  13. Anxious for the future? • I might be worrying about my contract again, • become ill, or unhappy in the future • God never promise life without troubles • But he will provide necessary means to help us • overcome difficulties 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

  14. Song: I don’t know who holds tomorrow I don't know about tomorrow; It may bring me poverty. But the one who feeds the sparrow, Is the one who stands by me. And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood; But His presence goes before me And I'm covered with His blood.

  15. Kuo family’s sharing

  16. Irene’s sharing My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. - Job 42:5

  17. Irene’s sharing “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – (John 16:33 NIV)

  18. Andy’s sharing “Children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” – (Psalms 127:3 KJV)

  19. Andy’s sharing Stats and Facts Over 4 million Australians have a disability. That's 1 in 5 people. 1 in 3 people either has disability or is likely to be close to someone who has disability. 2.1 million Australians of working age (15 – 64 years) have disability. Ref: Australian network on Disability http://www.and.org.au/pages/disability-statistics.html

  20. Andy’s sharing

  21. Andy’s sharing but I know that our Lord Jesus Christ holds the future. To conclude: I don’t know what the future holds for Christian or our family.

  22. Turn your eyes upon Jesus O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

  23. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

  24. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conqu’rors we are!

  25. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

  26. Turn your eyes upon Jesus His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

  27. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

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