It's official...I can drive!

Yesterday found me, Paul and our teammate Kim at the transportation office here in Bangkok. Paul and Kim were hoping to renew their licenses and I was hoping to get mine for the first time. Well, Paul and Kim found out that their licenses have to expire before they can get them renewed (and they found out they have to have a few documents in tow as well before they’ll renew it.
So, anyway, I did get my license but of course it wasn’t without adventure and much confusion (not because the Thais aren’t organized but because I am not a native Thai speaker, so things are always confusing when doing business type stuff.) So, I got there and had to get my picture made for my license, I had to get several copies of different documents, and I had to get a clean bill of health from a local clinic. (The last item is what caused the most adventure for me!). Basically, we all went together in a taxi to the transportation department along with Calvin. Our new teammates watched our kids (hurray for Becky and Andrew Bronson!). So, when the lady asked me if I had a form from a clinic okaying my health I answered no. She said, “you can get on a motorcycle taxi and go to the nearest clinic to get a clean bill of health.” (all in Thai of course). So, I asked Paul and Kim what they thought and we all agreed it would be much faster and easier if I just hopped on a motorcycle taxi and went along…so that is what I did. I must say it was actually a lot of fun! He weaved in and around traffic and had me at the clinic within five minutes and back to the transportation department with in 10. (When I got to the clinic the secretary didn’t even check me, she just filled out some form, I gave her 50 baht and that was the end of it!)
So, I had to take some tests, four actually. One for depth perception, one for dexterity, one for color blindness and one for peripheral eye sight. I must say they weren’t the easiest tests I have ever taken but I passed with flying colors and now I can drive!!! Yeah!
Even though I can drive my dear husband will be taking me on some test runs to help me get used to motorcycles and other traffic that we don’t have in the States. So, I think the real test will come…if my husband will pass me! =)

As for what is going on politically here in Thailand. We are feeling very safe. Everything is running as it did before, you wouldn’t even know that there was a coup. We thank you for your continued prayers for us and for this country.

Also, posts have been few and far between lately because we’ve been super busy. We’ve welcomed one couple (Andrew and Becky Bronson) and one more short term intern, Tori. For those of you who don’t receive our monthly prayer emails, we are getting ready to move again. We will be living in the Ram 2 area where our ministry center is located. We are close right now but still far enough out of the Ram 2 community that no one from there really ever stops by. Our new home is right across from the campus and within walking distance to our office, interns, the market, university and lots of other stuff. Please be praying for us as we move again. Our move date is October 2.

Well, I just wanted to touch base. The Lord tells us, “Do not be afraid, for I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Isn’t it wonderful that when there is a lot of uncertainty, we can trust in His certainty and faithfulness to us?! To God be the glory!