I got back from another visa trip to Finland last Friday. Again it was a more interesting trip than expected. I had hoped to only have to spend three days, leaving on Sunday night and getting back on Wednesday. That was the plan at least, but I never accounted for the consulate being closed due to technical problems until Wednesday. On Wednesday I woke up early to go wait in line, before my alarm went off and suddenly realizing I didn’t have a photo, they wouldn’t accept my application without a photo. After asking around I found a photo booth. Of course they did not have color photos or the right size. But I took the pictures anyway because I had no other choice and went to the consulate to find that I wasn’t the only one who had to wait a couple extra days. Things started to get pretty tense when people started to realize that after they had already been standing outside in the cold for several hours not everyone was going to get in before the consulate closed. I too was worried because if I didn’t get in on Wednesday then I would have to file on Thursday and wait till Monday to pick up my visa. I did not want to do that, two extra days was enough, especially on my budget! As I was standing in line and my mind was taking me to these places I started to get mad and complained to God, “First the consulate is closed, and now I won’t get to file on time, what are trying to teach me God, what is your plan!?” I even tried to blame him, “You could have kept them from closing; you could have reminded me to bring pictures so I could have been in line earlier and been in to the consulate by now; everything is under your control, why did you let this happen?” On my way home from the consulate I was in a different mood. I was thanking God that I was able to get in and the lady accepted my application with no problems. I then 
realized that God did cause all that to happen, putting me in that situation so that I would question him, get impatient, and even angry. So when he did come through I would learn a lesson. God will always come through, not necessarily on your schedule, but never the less, he does have things under control. And having to wait doesn’t make that any less true, less of a blessing, or even less of a miracle. I also believe He reminded me of the pictures and that the realization is what woke me up, so I could get some pictures before I went to the consulate. And how much better to realize then, than I go to the consulate, wait in line and then find I have no photos and have no way of filing on time. It wasn’t God’s fault that I forgot the pictures, but my forgetfulness, and I can’t blame Him since I didn’t even pray before I left because up until then I was working in my own strength. I even believe the fact that they were so busy caused the lady to approve my application and not choose to make a stink over the small details, as they usually do. God is good, and his purposes are good, even after I had messed everything up in my own strength. Through this I learned that even if I had not been able to file on Wednesday, He would have had a reason; just like all the other things that went wrong, God knows what is best. In the end it all worked out and I learned so much more than if everything had just gone smoothly. I hope I never forget these lessons and never try to do anything in my own strength again, but that I trust him in all things, especially when things seem to be going wrong.
In addition to all this I would say my stay was very pleasant. With my extra time I was able to go to the Helsinki zoo on Thursday, which was a nice peaceful and relaxing day. I got to see tigers and lions for the first time and took some pretty good pictures. The lionesses were the most interesting to me. One of them was hanging out by the fence with a piece of meat. So she was very suspicious of anyone who walked by, and when I got close to take a picture she got really defensive and started to hiss, growl, and lunge at me. I was intimidated even with the iron fence between us. But it didn’t cause me to back down and miss all the good picture material behind. I spent most the day at the zoo then went back to the hostel to get ready to go to the consulate and leave for Russia the next day.
I was glad to be back in Russia. I really have gotten pretty settled in here, and as soon as I can speak fluently I will really start to feel at home. All I have to do is figure out the best way to stay here. I am in the process of moving to Cherepovets, I hope to move there in the first week of June. I plan to get permanent residency there, after another three months so that we can figure out some more details. I also hope to be able to teach there, we have started advertising, but we will see. I pray the Lord will bring me students. However I have come to realize that it is not realistic for me to depend solely on teaching. Igor says there might be other ways for me to work, so we will see where the Lord leads. In addition to that I am asking that you would take part in my ministry through prayer, and if you are lead to financially. I will have the instructions on how you may do so posted on my blog in the right hand column. I would like to thank those of you who have already done so and for all for your prayers. It is an adventure here trying to serve the Lord and it only through the prayer and help of the church that makes it possible. I pray that the Lord would bless all of you every day with his abounding grace and mercy. Amen.
