Finishing school

Good Thursday to you all!

Today John and I finished up our class and said fairwell to our Greek speaker we had this week. He is a wonderful man who loves the Lord and loves teaching others about Him. We were blessed and came out of his class with a much better understanding of the Ukrainian Orthodox faith (since Vala has been raised this way). Without it, simple things like food might be an issue when we all start living together - before the language and communication is easier. I had no idea they held such Jewish-type traditions of obstaining to different foods at different times of the year, partial fasting, etc. The knowledge will help when the English is lacking! :o)

We were also blessed to have spent the past four days with some wonderful young and older people at the Institute. One woman, a grandmother of three, travels by one train and two buses each morning (4 hours total) to come to UBI! That means she spends 8 HOURS A DAY travelling on old Soviet modes of transportation just to learn more about Jesus Christ! And this is her 5th year! She knows she will take longer than the other students because she can not take a full load, but she is determined to learn as much as she can to spead the Good News to others. We admire her and the others who are suffering through the hardships to complete their studies. We have found out there are 3 orphans who are at the Institute. We are so excited for them and that they will know and be able to share with others that they have a family other than a natural born one. Slava Bog! (Praise God!)

Today we went out to the orphanage to see if we could visit Vala. She was happy to see us, hugging and greeting both of us with smiles. A younger girl is getting adopted as well and she and her new family went to court today. We were there when she returned after court, she was all smiles, teeth showing. While playing a game we watched her face go through a gamut of emotions; happy, sad, overwhelmed, anxiety, you name it we saw it.

It was interesting to see how emotions played through Vala as well. When it was time for us to leave, Vala came over to me and hugged me and didn't want to let go. When I looked her in the eyes, she would smile, then tuck her head back down on my shoulder and continued to hold on. She held my hand walking all the way to the door. John and I both received numerous hugs before we left. I kissed her and told her I loved her. She smiled and held on even tighter. I don't know all that is going through her mind as language is still a big barrier, but I do know she is ready to go to court herself.

Just as the Bride and Groom eagerly await their wedding day, so we all await our day in court to make this union legal as well. I think of Christ who also eagerly awaits for us, to come to Him. Is this a bit of the excitement He feels, waiting for us?

Much love to you all,
Jenn