Grandma

We packed a picnic lunch of cheese, bread and fruit and left for Internot 4 to meet the children and their Grandma. We were so thankful she wanted to meet with us. Honestly we didn't know what her response would be. She greeted us with hugs and kisses, thanking us for coming to get the children. Her main concerns were that we are healthy and love the Lord. I do not know what that means to her but she seems to have a faith of some substance. She did provide us some photos of the children's grandfather and mother. I am so thankful we have that for the children. She is a very gracious woman and we plan to get together more in the next few weeks.

We met Dr. Paul and his wife Tania also. They had arrived at the Internot to help prepare it for the new school year. They were doing wallpaper, painting and needed some electrical help. It didn't take long to get put to work. Here is a photo of Igor helping Steve. Some of you know I've been praying for Igor. Oh how I would like to bring this boy home too. He ages out of the system in January. Please pray for a miracle for him.

The children left to go back to Camp and we sent the picnic lunch with them. Dr. Paul had planned a birthday party for Lyonya at camp that afternoon and asked if we be there. We wouldn't miss it for the world. Lyonya had a nice party with friends, cake and candy. Galia took lots of photos. A few of the older boys try to be tough but they melt with the slightest kindness. By the end of the day they would hug us without reservation. How hard it must be to see others chosen while you wait. We were told one boy prays each night for a family or that if that is not God's will that God would have something better in store for him.

Unfortunately we didn't have time to make it to visit Andrei. That was our only regret. We found a ride back to the apartment and spent time with Lena's family. Her mother and brother are visiting this week.

More detail to come....

Just a Note

Will update more tomorrow but wanted to let you know that our dinner with Jenya went well. We had a nice time getting to know each other. We plan to get together more.
Tomorrow we meet with the Grandmother at 10:30 am Ukrainian time.

Blessings


The Black Sea across from Andrei's Internot

A Visit at #4

Once you meet with the director and visit with the children, the Director has 10 days to prepare the documents you will need to proceed with the adoption. After our somewhat rocky start we were unsure how things would go.

As we walked to Internot #4 this morning, the first of many miles today, we stopped at a kiosk and bought peaches and pears for a snack. We arrived to a big hug from Pasha and he ran off to get Lyonya and Galia. As we waited for the children, we were informed that the documents were already prepared for us as a big favor and there would be no 10 day wait. Thank you Father. We had asked that He grant us favor with all the officials. He is going before us each step of the way.

We went to the playground area to sit and talk. We had a fun visit. We were able to meet with a few of their teachers and took some photos of them. As we talked, we found out that they never received lunch yesterday because of the time of our visit and it would be the same today, so we left to walk back to the pizza place to buy them something to eat.

We will have to figure out the food situation as we go. Right now we are traveling all over town to obtain different documents so we never know where or when we will be with the children.

Tomorrow we will leave at 8:30 am to go to Internot #9 to see Andrei and hopefully pick up his documents. It will be good to see him again and feel his hug. We have also made arrangements to meet with Jenya, their older brother. We are so glad to be able to meet with him. He told Pasha today that he also is looking forward to meeting with us. We will be sure to get more photos.

Lots of thoughts on the country and the needs....will write more soon.

The Meeting: part 3

After a lunch of pizza, (yes there is a nice pizza place next door to the apartment) we headed to Internot #9 to meet Andrei. We were both a little uneasy since we have had no contact with Andrei. What would a 9 year old boy think to have to strangers show up and want to take him to another country?

The regional director was unavailable so someone from the Inspector's office came to meet us and the local director. The grounds were cheerful and the director was pleasant and polite. She had few questions for us and asked if we had questions for her. We asked a few and then she led us to a small classroom where we waited in tiny childrens chairs for Andrei. He had been napping and came in with a sheepish grin. We introduced ourselves and showed him the photo of us with Lyonya, Pasha and Galia. He smiled and was happy to see that we had photos of his siblings.

The gentleman from the Inspector's office asked Andrei if he would like to be adopted by us. He smiled but looked uncertain what to say. Steve told him it was an important decision and not to rush, but to take his time and think about it, that we were in no hurry. We sent him for a snack and then he joined us again and we visited in the play yard for several hours. It took him all of 5 minutes to figure out our camera and he had a great time photographing his friends, us, flowers, etc. He looked through all our photos twice and then came and asked for our large family photo again to show to his friends. He seems very excited. We finally parted and told him we would return the next day and try to arrange a meeting with his brothers and sister.

What more can we say! Praise God!

The Meeting: part 2

This morning we went to meet again with the Inspector in downtown Odessa at 10am. After a short interview, we were given permission to pick up a regional director and go to Internot #4 to meet with the local Director. When we arrived at the Internot, we were greeted with hugs from Pasha and Lyonya. Within minutes Galia was also at our side and we went in to meet with the director.

We had prayed for the words to communicate our hearts with the directors. We are never sure just what is completely understood. The director was upset with us that we had already been to the camp and seen Galia without seeing her first. We explained that we had talked with the Inspector and had only wanted to wish Lyonya a Happy Birthday and she said basically she understood but we were supposed to see her first. So, as a punishment, we would only be allowed to visit with the children on the grounds of the Internot. It was divine however, that we had seen Galia because on Sunday she was to be part of a group going on a trip to the Carpathian Mountains for a 10 days. If we had not talked with her over the weekend, she would have been gone today. That would have put our time here 10 days longer. So, if we can only see the children on the Internot grounds for now, so be it. God is in control, Galia is here and we are able to move forward.

In the end, the interview seemed to go well with the director and others present. We only had a short while with the children but were told to come back at 10:30 tomorrow for a longer visit. Up to 3 hours. All three children said they wished to be adopted and wrote a statement stating that fact. They giggled with us and we each tried to find the words to communicate. Pasha and Lyonya speak more English than we expected. That will be real helpful in the next few weeks.
We had to part all too soon but we left with the hope of tomorrow.

The Meeting: part 1

Where to begin? Took a taxi to the camp this Sunday morning with our interpreter. She wanted to go to the sea first but I asked to please go to the camp first. She said this would be fine. Within minutes of arriving at the camp, a young girl went to look for Galia as we waited. It was only a few minutes and we saw Galia coming toward us. As we rose she ran to us and we embraced.

We did not know if the children even knew we were coming to adopt them. We had written Sasha and Jenya back in March but did not know if they told the younger ones. Galia said they did, but that Andrei does not know yet. We do not know what his reaction will be as we have had no contact with him. Galia told us that her Grandmother knows also and is supportive. We hope this is correct.

It was so amazing to finally connect with her. She was a little overwhelmed from the attention and she seemed a little self conscience. She understands some English but speaks very little. The same with us and Russian. We agreed to teach each other. She says she is a good teacher of Russian. Time will tell. The boys were off with a local Pastor. I think he is connected with the work of Grandma Steele, but am not certain. We will try to connect with the boys tonight or in the morning.
We just praise God for making a connection this morning. Will keep you posted as we will have several official meetings this week.


There is a lot of need here, physical and spiritual....Thank you so much for your prayers. Until later. Blessings.