We were amazed and delighted when God worked a miracle for Nadya's parents to come for a 10-day visit this past September. It was Volodya's first time to the U.S.

Volodya and Valya were invited by the Slavic World for Christ, which operates under the auspices of the Minter Lane church in Abilene, TX, to travel to the U.S. to meet with them and to attend a Bible conference. Presuming that Volodya would be able to get a visa to come, we were then hoping that they would be able to travel from Texas to Michigan to be with us.

Obtaining a visa from the U.S. Consulate in Ukraine is never a sure thing, but it is especially difficult when another family member already has one because it is feared that it could lead to illegal immigration. (Valya already has a 5-year, multiple-entry visa.) So we were in fervent prayer for Volodya .

Despite the fact that his train was delayed and he arrived at the Consulate in Kyiv over an hour late, God gave Volodya favor with the immigration official and he was given a 5-year, multiple-entry visa even though he was only asking for a 6-month, single-entry. It is so true that God does above and beyond what we could ask or imagine!

Valya has already visited the U.S. on three other occasions, but Volodya was experiencing American culture for the first time. He enjoyed his visit immensely and with his extended visa, there is hope for future visits. Evie and Jules had a wonderful time bonding with their Ukrainian grandparents again and we were able to have many heart-to-heart discussions about life in the Ternopil church and plans for the future.

On the Sunday before their departure, Volodya spoke before the Troy church and thanked them for their participation in the Ternopil ministry. A couple of days later we sent them off with tears, but we are hoping for a reunion this coming summer.