Week From Today!

Today was a trip, a real trip. We went to see Jenna Leeza early this morning. Her group was heading outside to play (it’s pretty awesome to be greeted by smiling, happy kids, saying “Leeza, Mama, Papa”, they all know). They were all bundled up as it was clear and cool today (perfect football weather). But, Jenna was still upstairs getting dressed, getting ready for us to take her into “town” to go ahead and get her passport pictures taken. She was a real trooper in the taxi, 5 of us crammed in there, she sat on my lap all the way there, Jennie called me a “kid hog”. The drive from the orphanage to “town” is pretty,…let’s just say, primitive. If she didn’t get car sick (which she didn’t) on this one, we should be home free. One of her caregivers rode with us and said (through Kostya of course) that Jenna didn’t understand why we didn’t take her when we left after each visit. I believe she thought this was it! I had practiced my Russian and everytime I would whisper, ‘tee-ochen krai-see-va-ya’ (you are so beautiful) or ‘ya-te-bya luy-bluy’ (I love you), she would get a sly little grin. We gave her a little costume jewelry necklace that she clutched in her hand the entire trip (I know, it only gets more expensive from here on out) along with one of the dolls we brought.

Once inside the Kodak Express place, we took her in another room for the photo and she got a little nervous and scared, but she listened to her caregiver and she did what she asked. She didn’t like it much, and we’ve got the pictures to prove it. After that, Kostya and I went to their bank to deposit our donation to the orphanage. It was another cultural education, but we’re pretty much done with running around in Torez. We should be able to take care of everything in Donetsk on Monday. We picked up the pictures and headed back, Jennie took the lap duty this time and Jenna smiled all the way back, I’m sure she saw things from a perspective she’s not accustomed to. Unfortunately, that was the extent of our visit as it was time for lunch and nap.

Next order of business, Lora and Ira took us to get kids’ clothes and strollers for the trip home. They are angels to our rescue. We finally found a place that had 2 of the small umbrella strollers left, and you guessed it, a his and hers! Then off to find the clothes, they knew exactly where to take us and we knocked it out in one stop. ***For the men, it’s not bad at all shopping with women who shop like men, you know what you want and where to get, get it and go.*** Sorry for the diversion, please don’t hold it against me. So we are set for kids stuff to travel with now. Maybe some diapers for Joseph and that’s it.

I hope Lora and Kenny don’t mind, but I have to plug their ministry, Cross Culture, Inc. She and her family have been so good to us, we will miss them terribly, but I feel our paths will cross again. Anyway, their ministry involves working with the abandoned babies at the baby hospital here in Gorlovka. They have established the church here that we have had the pleasure of attending. They also have a huge project in the works, they bought a huge kindergarten and are renovating it to include 7 apartments where families will foster children until they can be adopted. It is truly amazing what God can do, but remember, He owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides. I added their link in the ‘Links’ section, so please visit their website, as we have had the privilege to see the fruit of their labor and faithfulness.

Tomorrow morning, we will pick up Anna at the train station. She is Olga’s mother (the wife of Jennie’s brother, Rob). She will be coming all the way from Sevastopol, which is in Crimea. She’ll spend 2 days with us so it will be fun taking her to each orphanage during our regular visits. Can’t wait to see her.

Can’t stop thanking you guys enough for the encouraging words, we really do get strength and encouragement from them. One day when they are old enough to understand, Jenna and Joseph will see just how much love, prayer, and thoughtfulness was waiting for them before they ever got home!

Sally, we’re praying for you now as we saw the news this afternoon about Rita. Jeff E, if you can make it to Ukraine, I know you can make it to Swansboro, we’d love to have you for a visit. Mandy and Eddie, we took your suggestion to heart on the Dramamine. Cathy, thanks for all the ‘hood updates, it does help. Mom, Mary, and Char you’ll never know the extent of our gratitude, but families are families for a reason, thank you. Justin and Jacob, Mom and I are so thankful to have 2 men like you for our sons.