Well, it's been a long trek the last two months; scrambling to apply to universities (again!), visa paperwork, and worrying about money, but it might be safe to say that we're out of the woods (at least for now).
This morning, I got word that my letters of invitation have been issued, and will be sent immediately. Thanks be to God! I should have them in about a week, and then begins step two: getting the actual visa. Please continue to pray, especially that this process will go quickly and smoothly.
I have been accepted to two universities: Pacific National University and Far Eastern State Humanities University. PNU's term begins September 7 (no one knows when FESHU begins - how I love Russian bureaucracy already). This gives me a little under three weeks to get a visa, plane ticket, pack up, and be halfway around the world before the semester starts. Do the math and you'll realize that it doesn't quite work out: the LOIs will be here in a week + two weeks to apply and recieve a visa from the consulate = three weeks. Like I said, please keep praying. It's in God's hands, and He is far better at handling things like this than I am.
(For those of you who patiently listen to this saga on a daily basis, what follows is old news to you.)
I know I've been terrible about updating my website. This summer, one of my friends kindly helped me set it up, but he had to move away to Texas for school, so now I'm pretty stuck (thanks a lot, Jared!). It might take me a while to figure out how to do the baffling technical stuff, so blogspot seemed the safest option for now. And now, The Story:
When I sent out letters in early July, everything was fine and dandy, all going according to plan. As we all know, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". And boy, did mine go awry. To enter Russia, you must have a visa, even if you're going to be there for six hours. Student visas are tied up in the university you are attending. Your university is responsible for obtaining a Letter of Invitation, which is what you get so you can then apply for the actual visa. I was accepted to a university in Khabarovsk in March, and began the LOI process. In June, I began to wonder what was going on. In July, I found out that the university had "over-enrolled" and I wasn't welcome there any more. I also found out that the deadline for applying to schools for the September semester was July 10, which was two days away. So, back to filling out forms, sending e-mails, and a bit of stress about translating transcripts into Russian. Away went my applications, and I began waiting. And waiting. And waiting. I think everyone goes on vacation from July to the middle of August. Let it suffice to say I have a newfound sense of patience after a month of checking my e-mail thirty times a day, hoping for some kind of answer.
But the answer has finally come, and I have recieved so many generous gifts and am doing well financially. A thousand thanks to all of you who have given!
The missionaries I am interning with in Khabarovsk, Cecil and Tonya, also have a blog. They have pictures and lots of stories! http://www.eshelman.blogspot.com/
Please pray for guidance about which university I should attend. I'm torn about it, and it's a huge decision.
In His Grip,
Elsbeth
