Looking back at these last two weeks I have to ask, "where has the time gone!?" The visa trip I am going on tomorrow seems to have just snuck up on me. But am a little excited that I get the privilege to experience riding a bus to Finland tomorrow to get a new Russian visa. This should have been a quick easy trip and turned out to be a little more complicated. As I said this trip snuck up on me and I didn't file the proper paperwork in time, making this last week a stressful week of problem solving. There where several ideas in play before I finally found the right one. What I will be doing is going to Finland this time and getting a one month tourist visa. Then when I get the other paperwork back I will have to go back to Finland and switch to the three month business visa. It seems like a lot of wasted effort and time, but it is actually the cheapest and least time-consuming option. Hopefully after all this not only will I not make the same mistake, but I will have to do this only one more time. The next time I will be starting the process towards permanent residency and that should eliminate all visa trips. However I am looking forward to this trip I will be meeting a friend, I get to see a new place and should get to take some cool pictures.
Also I would like to add that the visa excitment has not been the only intersting thing this week. It seemed like a normal week at first, but I had the great privilege of making some new friends on Sunday. The people I have been meeting here are very interesting. They all have different backgrounds, interests, and stories. I have never before been in these kinds of circles. It has been an amazing growing experience, and I am being stretched to do things I would have never done previously. Just this last week I was invited to do Salsa dancing at St. Petersburg Christian University, and had a great time. This group of friends do this every weekend and I think I might start going. This will give me a chance to hang out with more Russians, and possibly a chance to reach out to some nonbelievers.
I have also been very encouraged how the Lord has been providing for me. I still have one student and the money that brings in isn't much, but it something. Also the Lord has blessed me some people who are willing to help me, and I can't thank them enough. But I was blown away when I was talking with one of my friends here. He suddenly asked about my financial situation and how much my Russian lessons cost. Then he offered to pay for my lessons, which is one of my biggest expenses. I was touched, mainly because he is a student and doesn't really have tons of money to through around. It is encouraging to see how the Lord can impress things on peoples heart, with out any effort on my part. We have an amazing God who can not only move mountains, but the hearts of men! And it is encouraging to see Christ's body in action, loving and helping each other.
I just want to thank everyone for there prayers and support. I am grateful and will continue to keep you in prayer as well. If you could keep this visa trip in prayer that would be great, as well as the plans for permanent residency. I will post a blog when I get back from Finland, so keep your eyes pealed.
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