FROM SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

Called to Serve: Lyrica Bandao

“Thailand, a country known as the "land of smiles," holds a special place in my heart. It was here where I spent the majority of my 20s, where God led me to meet my spouse, and where I found a second home. I found purpose and fulfillment in my work at the Royal Thai Air Force Nursing College. It was a life of stability and contentment. The place offered me countless opportunities for ministry work, a cost of living that allowed me to thrive, and an abundance of fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables that nourished my body and soul. I also had the privilege of exploring Thailand’s rich culture, forging lifelong friendships, and embarking on unforgettable journeys. Each day was a celebration of life, a testament to the wonders that this land had to offer.

However, our path took an unexpected turn when my brother-in-law shared about a job opportunity in Arizona. My sister had already embraced this new chapter and was preparing to relocate. Intrigued by the unknown and driven by curiosity, I seized this chance and submitted my application to the school principal in May 2022. It was a leap of faith—a step toward a future that held excitement and uncertainty. In June 2022, I had preliminary and final interviews, still unsure of what lay ahead. Yet, I chose to surrender and trust that God would guide me toward my true calling.

When the principal told me that I was hired as the science teacher at Holbrook Indian School, joy surged and illuminated my spirit. It was a moment of triumph, a testament to the power of faith and trust in God. The school requested my presence as the new school year commenced in August 2022, and I eagerly embraced this new chapter that awaited me. I could not help but look back at the life I would miss in Thailand, but we believe in following where God is leading us.

We hit a snag when our work visa interview was scheduled for January 3, 2023, but I refused to give up. I tried to secure an emergency appointment but was denied. This situation triggered a surge of anxiety, doubt, and fear in my mind. I began to worry that the school might release me from my employment since I wouldn't be available when they required my presence.

Before the start of the school year, all the staff gathered for a pre-conference at the school, which I attended online. It was challenging for me to participate due to the time zone difference, but I made an effort to join. As I listened to the pastor's message, I realized that I had been trying to manufacture my own blessings instead of surrendering to God's will. I prayed for forgiveness and let go of my fears. When the pastor finished praying, I refreshed the embassy's website and found an opening for an interview on August 15, 2022. Overwhelmed with emotion, I started crying and shared this news with the staff, expressing my joy and amazement at what had just happened.

The next day, I asked my husband if we should pray again and ask for an earlier date to minimize the number of school days I would miss. Surprisingly, God granted our request again and we got an appointment on August 8, 2022. God has consistently answered our prayers, even those that seemed impossible. Every day, we specifically prayed for a smooth journey to the embassy, free from traffic or accidents. We also prayed to hear "Congratulations, your visa is approved" directly from the consul.

On the day of the interview, we realized that there would be no parking spaces, but we remained optimistic and believed that God would find a solution. When we were about 3 kilometers from the embassy, our GPS began to act strangely and redirected us toward a hotel. Following its instructions, my husband drove to the hotel and found an available parking spot. Everything went smoothly. They instructed us to sit and took our passports to the diplomat's lane. To our surprise, we were the only ones sitting while the rest were in a line. I started to have doubts again when I noticed that many of the people who were before us were denied. However, my husband reassured me and held my hand, reminding me of God's promise. Miraculously, during our interview, everything went well. The consul smiled at us, asked some questions, and exclaimed, "Congratulations, your visa is approved." And so, our extraordinary journey to Holbrook Indian School began.