After much prayer, calculation and weighing of options (to be only followed by more calculation), Kristin and I have elected to buy a vehicle. We have been told by friends of ours here to either: 1) Go big or 2) Go fast. We're passing on the Ferraris, Bentleys, and Maseratis as those quickly became out of our price range; that is unless we're wanting to forfeit the money we're saving to put towards a house some day. Kristin slowly brought me down from that option while The Father provided a much nicer and price friendlier option :). Kristin and I will be cruising around in a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe.
You can buy a vehicle in Qatar if you have what is called your "Resident's Permit" or RP for short. I went through that paperwork last year, but now I need to go through the process of securing a driver's license. We've heard rumors that it is a seamless process; that is unless you are an American.
Last weekend, while our apartment was being sprayed for bed bugs (third time pest control has come out), we took a walk to one of the driving centers/schools. I wanted to find out information about the eye test as a requirement for one's driver's license. So we walked into the building and saw a door labeled, "Eye Test". We confirmed with a worker that I could simply open the door and walk in to schedule an eye exam. What we learned though was that I could complete my eye exam right on the spot.
The gentleman sitting behind the computer desk in the tiny tiny room was a pleasant man who I'll refer to as Joe. With Kristin in the room, Joe sat me away from his desk, and had me look at the wall to name the letters that would be displayed. After the correctly named the last letter, Joe said that I have excellent vision. Joe asked me, "Do you know why?". I said, "Well yea, sure." He then replied, "Its because you have beautiful woman here. That is why." All of us in the room chuckled at his comment, and I couldn't agree with him more.
Joe stamped the driver's license application (the government is really into stamps over here) verifying the section that I passed the eye test. We paid him for the application fee and received a receipt for our own documentation. Joe then mentioned how the only thing that remained was that he needed my British driver's license to which I went mute. Joe then said, "Oh. You're an American?". My natural reply was, "Yes." Joe sadly replied, "That sucks. I'm sorry for you my friend."
This is where Kristin and I learned that the rumors are true if you are an American seeking a driver's license. We asked Joe to validate the rumors we've heard which are summed up as follows. Basically, a high Qatari government official went to the USA and was driving. He got pulled over, and the exchange between him and the officer was less than cordial. Upon the government official's return to Qatar, he made it his personal mission to make it difficult for American's to get driver's licenses in Qatar. I'm hoping that when I take my sign, written and road test, that despite me passing those tests, someone doesn't fail me just because they can for no reason. Yet, we'll see what happens. I can't schedule my series of tests yet as I need permission from my employer stating that it is okay for me to get a driver's license. So for now, it is time to pray, wait and pray some more.
In talking with Joe throughout our time in his office, we learned that he is a Syrian refugee. His family has lost three homes, and his uncle was killed not too long ago during the conflict. We told him that we are praying for Syria, and the crisis that is happening there. Hadn't it been for the people waiting at the door to enter the room, we would have prayed for him as I felt a nudge from The Ghost.
I left the driving school with a heavy heart for Joe, and I only wish we had taken the time (however long it was) to simply pray and say a blessing for him and for Syria. My thoughts then brought me to thinking about my students this year and about the ones I had last year. I remember having several students from places like Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Iran and other "hot-zone" places. The probability is highly likely for me to have students from such countries again.
These students bring different experiences with them into a teacher's classroom as compared to my students that I had in the USA. Some of my students last year, and I'm sure of the ones I'll have this year, cannot return to their home country. My interaction with Joe coupled with past and probable future students that I'll meet next week, has caused me to pray more for this part of the world. I'm hoping that you will join me too, in lifting this region up in prayer.
~Mark
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