There is a beautiful gorge near Port Shepstone which is only about 1.5 hours drive from where we live. It is named after a petite antelope called the Oribi. The basement rocks in Oribi Gorge are according to scientists over 1000 million years old and the walls carved by the Mzimkulwana river are over 350 million years old. The beauty of the Oribi Gorge can be experienced both from lookouts on top of the gorge as well as on paths that wind their way to the bottom. When you are deep in the valley you have no idea that there is almost 30kms of eroded cliffs and crags to explore.

On a recent trip to Oribi Gorge, we found ourselves contemplating how our life at present hasn’t afforded us many lookout views. The last months have been full of activity, but we haven’t seen a clear picture of our destination. On the hidden path we have experienced a season of waiting… waiting for:

• Dan’s permanent residency permit
• Funding to establish a model farm
• Clarity on a land purchase – what, where, when
• Government accreditations to be granted for the Inundo Development Trust – those include tax exemption and non-profit status

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Waiting…

“Is not my happy place,” says Dan, “I like to see things moving. And when the reasons for the wait don’t make sense (dealing with South African government bureaucracy), it’s just that much harder.”

Consider Dan’s application for permanent residency, for example. By law, the government must issue him a permit for permanent residency, because Kerry is now a South African citizen (her parents had status when she was born), and we’ve been married more than 5 years (22!!). His application was complete, and had all the relevant documentation – ID’s, birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc. etc. etc.

South African Home Affairs received the application on November 6, 2016. Not a typo. We’ve been waiting ever since. When Dan enquires, he’s told that there are still pending permanent residency applications from 2014. (Really?)

“I can’t remember a time when I’ve been waiting on so many important things from other people or government departments. And, as I’ve said, it’s not my happy place,”  says Dan

And yet…

We have discovered an unexpected richness in the waiting. A new kind of conversation with our Heavenly Father. A new kind of peace in unpleasant circumstances that we can’t control. A sweet curiosity about what God might be up to through them, and a firm certainty that, whatever He’s up to, it’s very good.

Our prayer is richer. “Lord, you know what we want, but teach us what you want.” “Lord, we choose to believe your timeline is way better than ours.” “Father, open our eyes to what you want us to notice during this time…”

Dan reflects, “These days, I am finding myself praying, at night, through the things I’m waiting on, over and over, and falling asleep while praying. Falling asleep! Meaning, the list of really important things isn’t keeping me awake at night. As far as that list goes, I’ve already done my part – there’s nothing more I can do. And the rest? God’s got this, and I can rest in that. What a gift!”

Isaiah 55 holds new meaning for us. Here’s the chapter from verse 6. May it encourage you as well.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

Isaiah 55

He is with us in the valley. We call on him because He is near. And we trust that his voice is going before us accomplishing what is necessary. In this time of waiting we feel led forth in peace.