Yet another Russia update

So.

BJ and I arrived safely back to Helsinki early Monday morning, my Letter Of Invitation had not yet arrived, so I headed back to Laura and Kimmo’s home to await the elusive letter. 

BJ and Kimmo arrived a bit later with the news that BJ would not be going into Russia as the quickest he could get the visa would be 3 days and it would cost him 300 euros (he was only to stay in Russia until Saturday), I didn’t feel that well considering that I originally wanted my visa as quick as possible, but for 300 Euros…well I may have to stay in Helsinki with Kimmo and Laura just a bit longer. Anyways. Later that afternoon my LOI arrived and it seemed I finally had all the documents I needed to apply for my visa…but would have to wait until the next morning as the consulate closes at 12 noon.

After a little bit of wandering the streets of Helsinki the next morning, Laura and I finally stumbled upon the Russian Consulate; I rang the buzzer and after telling them I wanted to apply for a visa, they let me in.  Where I saw that their application forms were all different from the ones I had previously filled out, and so I re-filled them out and got in line.  The lady at the counter had 15 applications;  I remembered BJ telling me that the lady he dealt with seemed to not be in the greatest mood when she gave him the 300 Euro price tag, so I began to worry.  The next man in line had prepared no documents and the consulate lady seemed to be getting a little perturbed with the situation.  I began to pray just a little more.  Then it was my turn. *relax*  I walked up and put my giant stack of papers in the drawer to the consulate lady; most of which she took, a few of which she didn’t.  She asked when I needed my visa; to which I replied as fast as you can, she said 3 days.  I said 3 days would be perfect. Smile. She pulled out an invoice paper and began to write…good sign?  good sign. She told me I should go pay the bill at any bank and can pick up my visa between 9 and 12 on the 14th; and the price? … 78 Euros. *whew*

Found a bank, paid the bill.

Tomorrow is Thursday and so long as I get that visa; I’ll hop a train to St. Petersburg arrive that night and reunited with the rest of the YWAM team who are currently in Kondopoga (where they’ve played 2 games in front of 500-600 people; won one, lost one…)in St. Petersburg on the 15th.  Now all I need to do is get in touch with someone from St.Petersburg to see if they can help me get from the train station to the hostel.

Life is good.  God is great.