A Scheduling Conflict Solved

I woke up this morning rather nervous about a scheduling conflict that couldn't be avoided or changed.  I had to go downtown to fulfill the last requirement on my visa: a short medical examination and a bit of paperwork, after which I would get a sticker in my passport showing that I can legally stay in France for the duration of my visa.  The appointment was set for me, and I had received a letter telling me the time and place where I needed to be: 8:30am on Monday morning, at an office in downtown Bordeaux, about a half-hour trip, including both public transport and walking time.

Of course, since I am in language school at the university here, I have regular classes scheduled on Monday morning.  Normally it would not be a problem to miss a class or two for such an important appointment, but one of my classes had an exam scheduled for that same morning at 10:30am.  The professor carefully informed us that we could not be absent for exams, for any reason.  Would two hours be enough time to go downtown, fulfill the appointment, and get back in time to take the exam?  It wasn't encouraging to hear a report from two classmates of their experience fulfilling the same visa requirement: they spent nearly three hours in the office alone, not counting travel time.

But since neither appointment could be postponed, I could only pray and trust that the Lord would speed things along.  My classmates had warned me that people arrive before the 8:30 opening time and line up outside the door.  So, I left home early and arrived at the downtown office well ahead of time, before the line formed.  Once inside, the Lord really did move things along.  In spite of a multiple-step process involving visits to different offices and time sitting in the waiting area, I walked out of the door with the required sticker in my passport at 9:30, only one hour later.  By 10:15, I entered the university building in plenty of time to take the exam.

Sometimes life in another country can seem complicated - at least until you're used to it.  The language and culture are different of course, but also it takes time to learn how things are done.  In many countries, getting a visa is complicated.  But this morning's adventure has been a reminder to me that the Lord can simplify even seemingly complicated things when He wants to, and He has my schedule entirely in His hands.