It was the story of Abraham that God used to invite us to take a first step of faith and “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”
On the tenuous basis of a “Temporary Religious Worker’s visa” we were admitted to the US for 3 years during which time I alone could work and only in the prescribed field! Father confirmed this step when shortly after ‘against all natural odds’ we ‘won’ the ‘Green Card Lottery’ that my mother had submitted our names for!
The next hurdle to overcome was the interview where I had to present evidence that I could provide for my family of 9 without being a burden to the State. Dean, a lawyer we had providentially encountered who was intrigued by our story and had offered to represent us ‘pro bono’ was skeptical that showing her a few CDs of my music would persuade the judge.
As the 9 of us plus Dean squeezed into the small office, she opened with the question.
“So where are you from? ”
“Belfast.” We replied meekly.
Her countenance changed instantly. “Belfast!” she exclaimed. “Oh! I have a soft spot in my heart for Belfast. Last year my daughter visited there and they treated her right royally! And I have just had an operation at the Mayo Clinic giving me back my eyesight……and the surgeon was from – Belfast!! Now let’s get these formalities out of the way quickly and get you into the country as permanent residents!”
Dean’s jaw hit the floor. “I reckon God does want you here!’ He gasped!
That was 27 years ago. We could have become US citizens after 5 years but never felt released to make application, that is not until a few years ago. At that time we thought it would all be done and dusted in a matter of months. but only a few weeks ago did we receive our appointment for the interview …. 27 months after applying!
I was pondering this ‘God-incidence’ as I passed through security today….27 years and 27 months. I walked up to the counter to register, and moments later was handed my ticket number……
The interview went without a hitch.
“You have passed.” the USCIS official said. Then he handed me my results.
I looked down to read the name of the officer………
From ‘Behind the Name‘………..“Engel. A German word meaning “angel”
Not only was this personally reassuring that we were and had all along been ‘in step with the Spirit’ at a personal level, but it excited us as to where we all are ‘today’ in the overall plan of God.
The number 27 cropping up again and again in our lives has pointed us to the story in Acts 27 of Paul and ‘The ship of fools’.
Currently we live at number 2721 Parkview Blvd. In chapter 27 verse 21, Paul stands up and speaks to all on board. He tells them not to be downhearted but to have faith in God…… because an angel has appeared to him saying, “Fear not….God has granted you all those who sail with you.”
I grew up in number 76 Gortin Park. My father had painted a 76 on each of the 2 gateposts at the entrance to the driveway. i.e. 2 76s
Our phone number there was 2737.
Acts 27:37 records the number on board…… as 276.
The gematria of “all flesh” is a multiple of 276.
Chapter 27 ends with all 276 persons on board making it safely to shore!!
The next chapter of the story is – 28. It describes the shore being on the island of Melita (Malta) – which means ‘honey’. This represents The Promised Land….“a land flowing with milk and honey.”
The number 28 represents the Leading of the Spirit.**
This is our destination……. that as we ‘cross over’ to receive with Abrahamic faith our full inheritance, that “…..better country, a heavenly one”, we will then ‘walk in the Spirit’ perfectly… even as Jesus did.
P.S. Our plans for being in Ireland May 17th – July 11th are taking shape. We would like to take our spiritual daughter Raine and her daughter Mni with us to share in the FREEDOM! retreat we plan to host there 25th-26th June. As yet do not have accommodation for them. If any of our Irish readers can help with offering then a home for two weeks around those dates, please do get in touch with us. We will post information on the website paulkyle.org as details get finalized.
**https://godskingdom.org/studies/books/the-biblical-meaning-of-numbers/chapter-4-numbers-21-30
















