Success at the Garda!

With the grace of God we were successful going the Garda a few days ago. It took weeks to gather all the proper documentation, but what a relief it was to know that after all the hard work, we found favor with the Garda. Although it was an exhausting all day affair, it went surprisingly smooth. What this means is that I (Suzanne) have permission now to remain in the country for a year, until Sept. 30, 2010. With the type of Garda card that I have, I am currently not allowed to work, so we are going to have to be very creative in order for me to get a job and the Lord is going to have to work a miracle. If you could, please pray that the Lord opens an avenue of work for me. There are two ways in which this could happen. I could become a student, which would allow me to work 20 hours a week. Or, I need to find an employer that will sponsor me for a work permit. Currently, I am seriously considering taking a course through an adult program for working with Special Needs students. This would give me the training I need to become a Special Needs Assistant, and provide me with a beneficial certificate to have coming back into the states. I am also currently in the difficult process of applying to their Teaching Council, something I have to do in order to show that my teaching qualifications are equivalent to those here, and thus be eligible to teach or substitute. If the Teaching Council approves my application, then they could be the ones to sponsor me in attaining my work permit. It is quite the process... so please pray that we will patiently rely upon the Lord as He provides an open door in His timing. Your prayers are deeply coveted. We are confident that the Lord brought us here for His good purposes and will not leave us without the provision to stay. It is our hope that through the course of this time here, that our confidence in the Lord grows and truly sustains us with a deep shalom.

Our Celebratory Dinner Upon Receiving our Garda Cards