It was another hot and muggy morning in Santa Cruz. My cell phone rang. It was my mom! She was calling to see how I was doing, and she had some interesting news. Uncle Albert and Auntie Marianne were going to Africa for two months in the summer and were wondering if Adolfo and I might be able to house sit for them. It seemed like such a provision from God! Of course, our being able to house sit depended on whether or not Adolfo got his visa soon.
A few weeks later, Adolfo got an e-mail from the Canadian embassy informing him they had sent him some medical forms so he could see a doctor. These forms ended up getting stuck in transit because of a nation-wide postal strike. The visa process seemed to be running into countless delays, and I soon gave up on the idea of spending the summer in Canada with my family or being able to house sit for Uncle Albert and Auntie Marianne...
It was a quiet afternoon at Hotel California. A couple of days previously, Adolfo received an e-mail from the Canadian Embassy that literally had me jumping up and down with joy and excitement! Adolfo had been granted a study permit and Canadian visa! We had no idea how long the study permit and visa would take to get to us, so I was quite shocked when I looked up from the reception area to see Adolfo standing in the door with a DHL delivery guy signing a piece of paper and being handed a big envelope.
We began to make plans to to travel north with a brief detour south to Argentina. We hoped to travel to Canada within a month and visit Adolfo’s brother Matias in Buenos Aires on the way. A few days later, I got an e-mail that changed everything! My dear friend, Rachael Robertson, informed me there was an opening at the engineering company where she worked. Her supervisor said I could have the job if we could be there within a week or so.
The next few days were a flurry of activity, as we set things up for our departure. Adolfo was still running around doing errands till the moment we left for the airport. We barely made our flight, and after going through security, we finally breathed a sigh of relief!
Our trip was long but uneventful. I thought getting through immigration and customs might be a little complicated (the immigration website had me nervous), but I couldn’t have been more wrong! We passed through into Canada without any problems.
God’s timing was perfect. We arrived in Victoria, B.C. on Saturday, July 2nd. Uncle Albert and Aunt Marianne were able to show us how things were done around the house and answer our questions before leaving on Monday for Africa. That very Monday I started work at Milroy Engineering and began my training learning how to make parts (specifically heaters and sensors for the windshields) for private airplanes.
Looking back, I can see God bringing us to Canada and arranging all the details as only He can do! God gave us two whole months to spend with my parents and sister here in Canada before they left for Bolivia on the 8th of September. God gave us a place to live for those two months that was close to work. God gave Adolfo two months to adapt to Canada before plunging into his studies at Royal Roads University. God also provided me with an amazing job...
I had decided to ask God for some specific things when it came to a job. He pretty much gave me everything I asked for and more! I wanted a job that was Monday to Friday during office hours. I got a job that is Monday to Friday from 8 till 4:30. I wanted a job that had a nice environment and that I enjoyed. I got a job where the owners are Christians, where the boss is one of the nicest and most patient guys I’ve ever known, and where Rachael, an amazing friend, is a co-worker! I wanted a job that paid more than minimum wage. I got a job that paid a lot more than minimum wage! As you can see...beyond what I asked for or imagined!
