A Missionary Adventure in Trinidad and Tobago

“Perseverance produces character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:4

One year ago I could not imagine how excited I would be when I received my driver’s license in Trinidad and Tobago. The process turned into an adventure that lasted over two-and-a-half months. This story relates an example of one of the time-consuming, unglamorous, but necessary activities one may encounter in missionary life.

It all began with filling out an online application. All the necessary documents (passport, electric bill, authorization to use the electric bill, current driver’s license, missionary permit, and signed application) had to be uploaded. After waiting a few days I found out what was missing or needed to be corrected. After making the corrections I waited a few more days and received further instructions. I learned that files had to be PDF files and they could not be greater than a certain size. For a technology-challenged person like me, this was a tall order!

After the third try, my online application was approved and I was eligible to travel to the license bureau an hour away to apply for my driver’s permit. After successfully obtaining the permit, I was now able to take the written exam but would need to wait two weeks. Once again I had to drive one hour to the licensing office to take the test. Fortunately, I was able to pass on the first attempt! Now I was eligible to take the driving test but would need to wait at least three weeks.

“How difficult can the driving test be?” I thought. “After all, I’ve been driving for over 40 years.” In addition, I thought I had gained sufficient experience driving on the other side of the road during our few months in Trinidad. I learned from the license office that you can’t take the driving test in your own vehicle, but only in a vehicle provided by an accredited driving school. So connecting with a driving school was the next step.

The driving school I approached recommended that I take at least one lesson so that I could become familiar with the test course. Unfortunately, the driving lessons and the license office which provides road tests were even further—one-and-a-half hours away.

Because the driving lessons and driving test were in the same location, my plan was to take the lesson, take the test, and then be done—all in one day. Little did I know what was in store for me. The driving instructor was very kind and supportive. However, from the outset, he warned me about where my challenge would lie. “I know you know how to drive,” he said. “But you will fail unless you are willing to learn new ways of doing things.” I soon learned that I would need to pass a skill test in the parking lot before being allowed to take the road test.

The skill involved backing up in an L-shaped box around a pole. This was followed by a four-point turn also inside a box. At the end of the skill, the vehicle had to be parallel to the box, with the tires pointing straight forward. All had to be done smoothly, at a certain rate of speed, with both hands on the wheel, without touching any of the lines of the box and using only certain visual cues. Yikes!

The first day I practiced for a while and I thought I would take the test as I had planned. However, the instructor said that I would fail if I attempted the test. I would need to come back another day. I was not happy! This meant another three-hour round trip. After two prolonged discussions with my instructor, plus a discussion with the head of the license branch, I did not get to test that day.

On my second visit, after practicing the maneuvers some more, the instructor said he thought I could attempt the test. I was so nervous that I was shaking inside! Sadly I failed the skill test that day so I did not even get a chance at the road test.

On my third trip, I decided to just practice the skill and not take the test. This was because each attempt at testing cost over $70, so I wanted to make sure that my next test would be my last. On my fourth trip, after some more practice, I made my second attempt at the test. Once again I was extremely nervous. There were about ten of us getting tested that day and only five of us made it past the skill test.

Then, when it came time for the road test, only one young lady and I passed. At the end of the test, the office said to me something like, “You have demonstrated that you are capable of driving safely on the roads of Trinidad and Tobago.” I felt much excitement, but even more relief. I had come to the end of a missionary adventure!