March 18th was a big day for me. Early in the morning I pressed my body in the crammed bus and made it into the city center, to the building of the traffic police. There I had the privilege to take the Russian theory drivers test. Non an easy thing! First you have to go through an intense theory course and get your medicine tests (including a check of your mental health) and then learn all the drivers - vocabulary and al the rules. There are many rules, I can tell you!
Anyway, I took the exam and answered correctly to all 20 questions!
After passing that test, I was sent to a big parking lot where I had to parallel park, drive a slalom and start on a hill. With some grace i made it through this second test and qualified for the third part. There was only one inspector that day taking the exams. My driving instructor and two other men that were to take the exam waited in line for over two hours. Finally it was my turn to show my driving skills in the big city. After five minutes i was told to stop the car. I was done! Or almost. Now i had to walk back to the traffic police, stand in line to hand in my stamped and signed paper and then wait for another hour for my license to be printed and registered. (Others have waited a lot longer than I, I think i had a lot of grace that day!). Now i have next to my Swiss license a real Russian one, which will be necessary soon! Because i signed up for classes last year I went through the old system, which is half and much time and money than they ask for now!
I am glad this is over now. Was a good experience though:-)
Now we are all getting ready for the YWAM Russia leadership meeting and the following staff conference here in Perm. There is a lot to do, remodeling the base, clean, plan, organise, pray, meet, ... The first people have already arrived, we are starting tomorrow. I am excited and i expect God to do great things among us and speak to us as a Mission!
We really want this to be a time to seek Gods face and hear His voice! And it is also exciting to see my fellow YWAM Russia friends again and meet new ones.