...
Okay people...you need to circle this day on your calendar, or put a big X on it...or whatever it is you do to mark important days in history...
So here’s the story....just around the corner from my neighbourhood, on the fourth ring, there’s been a police “inspection” area set up, where they wave cars and trucks over to the edge of the road and “inspect” them. I’ve been passing this are with dread ever since I came back from Canada. I do everything I can think of to avoid getting pulled over...I try to pass it with other vehicles in between me and the police guy who waves the cars off the road (which usually means accelerating and weaving in between other vehicles)...I make sure I don’t make eye contact with anyone as I drive by...I even pretend to be on my cell phone and not paying attention (that actually works here).
Today, however, I got caught. There were no other cars nearby and the police officer was more or less in the middle fo the road, blocking my way. There wasn’t much I could do. I had a momentary vision in my head of pretending I didn’t see him and just continuing on my way. He looked quick...I’m sure he would have gotten out of the way. However, I’ve been trying to be a better missionary these days, so....I pulled over. I steeled myself for the inevitable battle of wills that would play out as the officer tried to manipulate money out of me that I was not willing to pay.
The officer came up to my window and proceeded to explain that I needed an “inspection” sticker for my truck. I put the word “inspection” in quotation marks because no one actually inspects your vehicle. You just buy the sticker and you’re good to go. I got pulled over two years ago for not having one. The officer that day told me it was 90 bolivianos. I got him down to 60. Later my friend was looking at the sticker I had just paid for and saw that it had 30 bolivianos written on it. You can see why I’m suspicious.
But the officer today was very polite and explained that I needed this sticker. I asked him how much and he told me 50 bolivianos. I didn’t actually have that much on me, and told him I only had 40 (which was true). He then said that 40 was okay too. =)
BUT...(and this is the part I appreciate) then he said that if I just went to a specific bank and paid for it there, it would only be 30 bs. Then I could just come back with the receipt and they’d give me my sticker (which is the correct way to do it). Forgiving his initial little 20 boliviano inflation of the price, he was honest and nice about it. I told him I’d be happy to go to the bank and pay for it there. He said that would be fine and then waved me on my way.
Go. Figure.
At that exact moment, the sun came out, the birds started to sing and I had peace in my heart. We’ll see how it goes when I go back with my little receipt and try to get my sticker...
In unrelated news, I’m taking today off. My friend Jorge is going to spend the afternoon with the guys at the house, and I’m hanging out at my favourite little coffee place. Lately I’ve been feeling the need to get away for a bit. If you have a moment and can pray for us down here, I’d appreciate prayer for myself. I’ve been feeling kind of out of sorts. Partly I’m sure it’s because I’ve been sick for awhile...but there are other things going on too. I’m definitely feeling like things need to get back on a better keel.
Oh hey, I hear it’s getting cooler in Canada these days. We can relate, it’s been cold and rainy here lately too.
Of course...things will only bet better for us... =)
Thanks for praying everyone!
Okay people...you need to circle this day on your calendar, or put a big X on it...or whatever it is you do to mark important days in history...I got pulled over by the police this morning and they were mostly honest with me and didn’t come at me with big dollar signs flashing in their eyes.
It was kind of a special moment. If you’ve been following this blog for more than five minutes, you know what kind of relationship I normally have with the police down here.
So here’s the story....just around the corner from my neighbourhood, on the fourth ring, there’s been a police “inspection” area set up, where they wave cars and trucks over to the edge of the road and “inspect” them. I’ve been passing this are with dread ever since I came back from Canada. I do everything I can think of to avoid getting pulled over...I try to pass it with other vehicles in between me and the police guy who waves the cars off the road (which usually means accelerating and weaving in between other vehicles)...I make sure I don’t make eye contact with anyone as I drive by...I even pretend to be on my cell phone and not paying attention (that actually works here).
Today, however, I got caught. There were no other cars nearby and the police officer was more or less in the middle fo the road, blocking my way. There wasn’t much I could do. I had a momentary vision in my head of pretending I didn’t see him and just continuing on my way. He looked quick...I’m sure he would have gotten out of the way. However, I’ve been trying to be a better missionary these days, so....I pulled over. I steeled myself for the inevitable battle of wills that would play out as the officer tried to manipulate money out of me that I was not willing to pay.
The officer came up to my window and proceeded to explain that I needed an “inspection” sticker for my truck. I put the word “inspection” in quotation marks because no one actually inspects your vehicle. You just buy the sticker and you’re good to go. I got pulled over two years ago for not having one. The officer that day told me it was 90 bolivianos. I got him down to 60. Later my friend was looking at the sticker I had just paid for and saw that it had 30 bolivianos written on it. You can see why I’m suspicious.
But the officer today was very polite and explained that I needed this sticker. I asked him how much and he told me 50 bolivianos. I didn’t actually have that much on me, and told him I only had 40 (which was true). He then said that 40 was okay too. =)
BUT...(and this is the part I appreciate) then he said that if I just went to a specific bank and paid for it there, it would only be 30 bs. Then I could just come back with the receipt and they’d give me my sticker (which is the correct way to do it). Forgiving his initial little 20 boliviano inflation of the price, he was honest and nice about it. I told him I’d be happy to go to the bank and pay for it there. He said that would be fine and then waved me on my way.
Go. Figure.
At that exact moment, the sun came out, the birds started to sing and I had peace in my heart. We’ll see how it goes when I go back with my little receipt and try to get my sticker...
In unrelated news, I’m taking today off. My friend Jorge is going to spend the afternoon with the guys at the house, and I’m hanging out at my favourite little coffee place. Lately I’ve been feeling the need to get away for a bit. If you have a moment and can pray for us down here, I’d appreciate prayer for myself. I’ve been feeling kind of out of sorts. Partly I’m sure it’s because I’ve been sick for awhile...but there are other things going on too. I’m definitely feeling like things need to get back on a better keel.
Oh hey, I hear it’s getting cooler in Canada these days. We can relate, it’s been cold and rainy here lately too.
Of course...things will only bet better for us... =)
Thanks for praying everyone!
4 comments:
this warms my heart. seriously. glad it went so smoothly.
For once eh? =)
Cooler??? Seriously Ken? It FROZE here the other night! But I can say I have enjoyed that crisp Autumn air and the smell of grain dust. Takes me back home...anyhow, prayers for you my friend.
Christie
Actually...I miss that too. There are certain smells I miss. Funny how that happens eh?
I don't miss the FROZEN part however... =)
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