The last. The last Saturday rain storm. The last Sunday to worship with believers in Russian tongue. The last Monday with a going away party. The last night in the "white" apartment. We have lots of "lasts" that we are dealing with right now. As I start to write this blog, we are at the orphanage getting ready to have our last evening with the children and staff.
There is much excitement for everyone involved. Vala is dealing with a lot of different emotions. She was happy to see us and greeted both of us with great big hugs. But within a few minutes, she was sullen and sad. We understand this is all normal and expected. We comfort her with hugs, kisses, jabs in the side, laughing and trying to not get caught up in any one particular emotion.
We have purchased tangerines and apples for the party, and cake and soda pop by the liters. And of course, there is lots of candy. They love candy as all children do! But they have a great love for fruit as well! Another American couple that was here began teaching some of the children to juggle. I noticed several tangerines were unaccounted for - I know of their bruised demise.
Vala chose two gifts for her extra special "teachers" or "Mamas" at the orphanage - the traditional bouquet of flowers and bottles of champagne. The teachers were overwhelmed and brought to tears. Vala, stringently talking herself out of crying today, held fast, unwilling to give many hugs during times like those. She didn't even want to give her gifts to these special women - I think she knew she would break down and cry. They hugged and kissed her despite her resolve. These women truly love and adore Vala. They know her faults but they know the wonderful qualities she has. They are so happy for her, but America is a long way away.
We enjoyed a wonderful day with all the children. We know today includes "lasts" with them as well. There is one family in particular we are especially torn up about leaving. Then their is our little interpreter. We have become very close to him. Many of these children are bright, healthy, happy, well mannered, studious children. The boys are often boys, but they are no different than ours were at that age. They are not here because of one thing they have done. They are here because of what other people did not do or can't do. Our heart breaks for all of them.
Vala and I are slowly getting over our colds. John has remained healthy and we pray he continues this way. We ask for continued health, Lord, as we run through these last days.
Our plans are all before the Lord. We boast not once that we can do any of this without Him. When I say we will do this, or do that, please know we understand that all things are under His control but we will do everything humanly possible from our stand point.
Today ends the last 10 day waiting period. Tomorrow morning, Sergiy gets off the overnight train at 7am. He will be driven here where he will get the opportunity to freshen up before we start our most harried day of the week. We will grab a quick breakfast on our way to the court (there is a McDonald's here with a drive-thru - the first of it's kind - there are no "fast foods" in Ukraine other than bread and cheese purchased at an outside market). We plan on being at the court steps by 8:30am. From there we wait upon the courts to give us the court documents in their many successions (something like 16 copies). We will have to see a notary to request getting her birth certificate legally changed to Valentina Grace Brown and have us listed as the birth parents. From there, we go back to Donetsk to get her birth certificate changed, back to the orphanage for some more paperwork and pick up Vala. Then we will run, run, run the rest of the day until we make it on the train by 7pm that night. It will be interesting. We welcome every ounce of prayer that can be summoned on our behalf tomorrow. If we do not succeed, we will not make it on our Friday flight home - this we know for sure.
I planned on keeping this short - not because I do not have much to share, but because I have a busy day ahead and need to get to bed early. I didn't sleep well last night (man! my bed is going to feel so good! and my sheets are going to smell so nice!). Every extra bit of rest we can get will be important.
So until I can get on next (probably Wednesday night) - Dasvedanya!!
God bless you and yours!
We are almost home!
Jenn & John
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Christmas songs
This morning we begin the conditioning of our bodies to wake up earlier to prepare for our early flight next week (5:35am!). This is not an easy task when you are sick. Willing your eyes to open when your nose is stuffed and your throat hurts because it's dry is so much more difficult when snuggled under a woolen blanket. ;o)
John got our little Netbook on-line and turned on our local town's radio station, KTSY Christian music station. It eats up the money we've put on the wireless internet card we bought, but it is so worth it to hear praise songs and encouraging music in ENGLISH. There is nothing, absolutely nothing like it here.
As I try again to open my eyes, to my amazement I hear Christmas music! I said, what are they doing? John said it's the day after Thanksgiving so they are beginning Christmas music.
This fact hit me square between the eyes. Do you know we have been here so long we have gone through 3 American holidays: Halloween (we have Autumn parties at church instead), Veterans Day that our soldier son participated in our local school's assembly honoring our veterans, and Thanksgiving. We will have blown through 3 of our children's birthdays before we get back. Now we are heading into the time to celebrating our Savior's birth......time is going by quickly.
John and I calculated it the other day - we will have been gone for 52 days when we finally get back. That's almost 1/6 of the year!
The day after we get back we will be having our first Christmas party. It seems almost surreel. When we left, the trees had leaves that were just beginning to change color, grass was green and still being cut sporadically. We occasionally left the house without a coat because it just wasn't cold enough to wear one.
Which of you plan on going shopping today for the bargins? I am not sorry to be missing this American tradition - large pushy crowds are not my idea of fun - but then look where I'm at? That's funny actually! Manners are not taught here as one Brit said on a T.V. show. Men will just as easily push you out of the way to beat you on the metro, take your place in line or drive right over you to keep their car moving. Perhaps I've been in training the past 7 weeks to do "Black Friday" shopping!! lol! Still, I don't think I could be inticed to go....but maybe for a good deal....
We pray whether you are snuggled up with your family today or blessed to have a job and are working instead, that you continue to be Thankful of every moment you receive with loved ones, good friends, co-workers who bring joy, good food, clean water, warm homes. I am thankful for you.
Wishing you a blessed day and praying as we start our Christmas season that you remember it wouldn't be Christmas without Christ!
Much love to you,
Jenn & John & Vala
P.S. This is a traditional way to show your love to someone in Ukraine - they autograph a metal lock, then hang it on a gate, fence, etc. We were at a metal sculture museum and they took our picture beside a piece of art commemorating the "love lock".
John got our little Netbook on-line and turned on our local town's radio station, KTSY Christian music station. It eats up the money we've put on the wireless internet card we bought, but it is so worth it to hear praise songs and encouraging music in ENGLISH. There is nothing, absolutely nothing like it here.
As I try again to open my eyes, to my amazement I hear Christmas music! I said, what are they doing? John said it's the day after Thanksgiving so they are beginning Christmas music.
This fact hit me square between the eyes. Do you know we have been here so long we have gone through 3 American holidays: Halloween (we have Autumn parties at church instead), Veterans Day that our soldier son participated in our local school's assembly honoring our veterans, and Thanksgiving. We will have blown through 3 of our children's birthdays before we get back. Now we are heading into the time to celebrating our Savior's birth......time is going by quickly.
John and I calculated it the other day - we will have been gone for 52 days when we finally get back. That's almost 1/6 of the year!
The day after we get back we will be having our first Christmas party. It seems almost surreel. When we left, the trees had leaves that were just beginning to change color, grass was green and still being cut sporadically. We occasionally left the house without a coat because it just wasn't cold enough to wear one.
Which of you plan on going shopping today for the bargins? I am not sorry to be missing this American tradition - large pushy crowds are not my idea of fun - but then look where I'm at? That's funny actually! Manners are not taught here as one Brit said on a T.V. show. Men will just as easily push you out of the way to beat you on the metro, take your place in line or drive right over you to keep their car moving. Perhaps I've been in training the past 7 weeks to do "Black Friday" shopping!! lol! Still, I don't think I could be inticed to go....but maybe for a good deal....
We pray whether you are snuggled up with your family today or blessed to have a job and are working instead, that you continue to be Thankful of every moment you receive with loved ones, good friends, co-workers who bring joy, good food, clean water, warm homes. I am thankful for you.
Wishing you a blessed day and praying as we start our Christmas season that you remember it wouldn't be Christmas without Christ!
Much love to you,
Jenn & John & Vala
P.S. This is a traditional way to show your love to someone in Ukraine - they autograph a metal lock, then hang it on a gate, fence, etc. We were at a metal sculture museum and they took our picture beside a piece of art commemorating the "love lock".
Thursday, November 26, 2009
I thank my God every time I remember you....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Although I realize most of you are still in bed, it is now 10:00am here and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you all you are in our thoughts and prayers today.
I know some of you are enjoying the day with family. Some of you are wishing you could have gone home to see your family, but couldn't. I know some of you are going to enjoy the day with your family from church - what a wonderful blessing to be Brothers and Sisters in Him! And still some of you struggle with the loss of loved ones today - I am one of those. My dear Grandmother passed away yesterday morning with a long, hard battle with illnesses and age. She was dear to my heart and I have fond memories spent with her. I am thankful today she is no longer in pain. I am thankful today her body is at rest. I pray with all my heart she made things right with our Lord before her passing. It is hard to know a person's heart. I want to dance and praise God with her someday in heaven! I am thankful He wants the same thing.
Ukraine, of course, does not celebrate the American holiday Thanksgiving. In fact, I've quit trying to explain it to them because they can't even grasp the idea. Which is strange to me. They create holidays just because someone in another country saw a rock "crying" when someone prayed to it, and they believe it is a miracle, so this in turn becomes a holiday in a totally different country.....but they can't grasp the fact that we set aside a day to be thankful for all we have and give praise to the One who gave it to us. It's weird to me.
Irregardless, I am thankful. I am thankful for my husband John who came half way around the world with me to answer God's call to us. I am thankful he is the leader of our family, that he loves me and all our children and even those who are not. I am so very thankful he loves Jesus as much as I do and that I can call him one of my very best friends.
I am thankful for my children. I am blessed to have given them the opportunity to learn of Christ's love for them and that they have grasped it and taken hold of Him as their Savior. I am thankful I see growth in them and what kind, caring young adults they are becoming. True beauty is found inside and they have an abundance of it! I am thankful they were willing to suffer along with us and let us go to another country to bring someone else into our family. They are missionaries just the same as we are - answering to God's call as it pertains to their lives as well.
I am thankful for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, both at our home church, Victory Christian Church, and others we know and love. They are our true family and we couldn't have made it this far without their love, support, encouragement and prayers. I am thankful for those who have stepped into our ministry positions and taken the responsibilities as their own. It will make our homecoming that much easier.
I am thankful to those in our community who are preparing to welcome Vala with arms open wide. I am thankful they are looking after the special needs she will have as she learns English and meshes into an American lifestyle. I am so very thankful we live in a conservative, respectful community where children matter and adults are respected. Thank you.
I am thankful for our customers and fellow contractors. Thank you for being patient while we have been away. Thank you for working so nicely with our "fill ins" and being willing to communicate via e-mail which takes more time than usual, considering the time difference. We appreciate the great working relationships we have and are excited to get home and back to work again serving you.
Finally, I am thankful for this country, Ukraine. They are a prideful bunch. They have been through some tremendous atrocities in the past but continue to prevail. They want to do good and try to continue to keep their eyes forward and to the future. This is a long, hard road for them. The Soviet era was very, very hard on them. Standing back and looking from my perspective it was much harder than they imagine. They need our prayers and encouragement any way we can offer it. They are generally good, loving people who care. I am thankful there are people here like Jay Don and Mary Lee Rogers bringing the Good News to the Ukrainian people, who in turn can tell their people. The best missionaries of the Good News is the native people themselves. Mostly these people lack hope. I am so very thankful there are those here willing to stretch themselves to give it - and I'm not talking just about in faith but in doing good as well just because it's the right thing to do.
As I get ready to head out for the day before we see Vala tonight, I am full of sniffles and sneezes. Yes, the autumn flu/cold season is here and we are not immune to it, just like everyone else. Vala is sick, I am sick, Sergiy is sick, our driver is sick. But we are still getting along just fine and expect to be okay by the time next week arrives. Thank you for continuing to pray for our health.
We love you very much. We are excited to see you all face to face someday soon.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jenn
1 Thess 5:16-18
Phil 1:3
We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Although I realize most of you are still in bed, it is now 10:00am here and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you all you are in our thoughts and prayers today.
I know some of you are enjoying the day with family. Some of you are wishing you could have gone home to see your family, but couldn't. I know some of you are going to enjoy the day with your family from church - what a wonderful blessing to be Brothers and Sisters in Him! And still some of you struggle with the loss of loved ones today - I am one of those. My dear Grandmother passed away yesterday morning with a long, hard battle with illnesses and age. She was dear to my heart and I have fond memories spent with her. I am thankful today she is no longer in pain. I am thankful today her body is at rest. I pray with all my heart she made things right with our Lord before her passing. It is hard to know a person's heart. I want to dance and praise God with her someday in heaven! I am thankful He wants the same thing.
Ukraine, of course, does not celebrate the American holiday Thanksgiving. In fact, I've quit trying to explain it to them because they can't even grasp the idea. Which is strange to me. They create holidays just because someone in another country saw a rock "crying" when someone prayed to it, and they believe it is a miracle, so this in turn becomes a holiday in a totally different country.....but they can't grasp the fact that we set aside a day to be thankful for all we have and give praise to the One who gave it to us. It's weird to me.
Irregardless, I am thankful. I am thankful for my husband John who came half way around the world with me to answer God's call to us. I am thankful he is the leader of our family, that he loves me and all our children and even those who are not. I am so very thankful he loves Jesus as much as I do and that I can call him one of my very best friends.
I am thankful for my children. I am blessed to have given them the opportunity to learn of Christ's love for them and that they have grasped it and taken hold of Him as their Savior. I am thankful I see growth in them and what kind, caring young adults they are becoming. True beauty is found inside and they have an abundance of it! I am thankful they were willing to suffer along with us and let us go to another country to bring someone else into our family. They are missionaries just the same as we are - answering to God's call as it pertains to their lives as well.
I am thankful for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, both at our home church, Victory Christian Church, and others we know and love. They are our true family and we couldn't have made it this far without their love, support, encouragement and prayers. I am thankful for those who have stepped into our ministry positions and taken the responsibilities as their own. It will make our homecoming that much easier.
I am thankful to those in our community who are preparing to welcome Vala with arms open wide. I am thankful they are looking after the special needs she will have as she learns English and meshes into an American lifestyle. I am so very thankful we live in a conservative, respectful community where children matter and adults are respected. Thank you.
I am thankful for our customers and fellow contractors. Thank you for being patient while we have been away. Thank you for working so nicely with our "fill ins" and being willing to communicate via e-mail which takes more time than usual, considering the time difference. We appreciate the great working relationships we have and are excited to get home and back to work again serving you.
Finally, I am thankful for this country, Ukraine. They are a prideful bunch. They have been through some tremendous atrocities in the past but continue to prevail. They want to do good and try to continue to keep their eyes forward and to the future. This is a long, hard road for them. The Soviet era was very, very hard on them. Standing back and looking from my perspective it was much harder than they imagine. They need our prayers and encouragement any way we can offer it. They are generally good, loving people who care. I am thankful there are people here like Jay Don and Mary Lee Rogers bringing the Good News to the Ukrainian people, who in turn can tell their people. The best missionaries of the Good News is the native people themselves. Mostly these people lack hope. I am so very thankful there are those here willing to stretch themselves to give it - and I'm not talking just about in faith but in doing good as well just because it's the right thing to do.
As I get ready to head out for the day before we see Vala tonight, I am full of sniffles and sneezes. Yes, the autumn flu/cold season is here and we are not immune to it, just like everyone else. Vala is sick, I am sick, Sergiy is sick, our driver is sick. But we are still getting along just fine and expect to be okay by the time next week arrives. Thank you for continuing to pray for our health.
We love you very much. We are excited to see you all face to face someday soon.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jenn
1 Thess 5:16-18
Phil 1:3
Monday, November 23, 2009
Church opportunities and more
Good morning to all our friends and family!
It is Monday morning for us and the sun is shining brightly! It is just gorgeous outside! We have come to Ukraine at the wrong time of the year to see it in it's beauty (lots of fog, rain, general cloudiness and then there's the pollution -yuk!), but today shows us how beautiful this country is! The grass is still green and some of trees are hanging onto their leaves. The sky is a rare jeweled blue and there is not a cloud in the sky!
I won't talk long as I selfishly want to get out and walk in this beautiful day the Lord has given us! But I did want to take a few moments and keep you up-to-date with what is happening here. It's been a couple of days since I last posted.
As you have seen, we had our Court Appointment on Thursday, and after 3 hours, the judge, jurors, prosecutor and everyone else involved said we could adopt Vala! Wonderful! Vala didn't eat a lot over our little celebratory lunch with Sergiy and our driver, but she did try. Strangely, eating seems to be an issue for her. Either she's unaccustomed to people buying food for her, or she finds it strange to eat in front of us, or....? Who knows? But she hasn't eaten much the few times we've had her out.
Vala ordered food similar to her new Papa and found it much too much for her little body to eat. We had one rare moment of funniness from her when she asked Sergiy what a word was in English. He responded "help". She looked at John, shoving her plate towards him, and cutely said, "Papa help!" It was adorable! She was asking him to help finish up her plate! Who knew they did such a thing here in Ukraine too? John and her have had moments of goofiness and it's wonderful to see. She has never had a father.
In court it was revealed she has been in the orphanage since she was 5 years old and before that, a homeless shelter of sorts. We have no idea how long before that. They had a hard time tracking down her mother to try and either take custody again or to sever parental rights. We are seeing this as an issue here. A child will remain in the orphan system, but has real living legal parents or guardians and so the child remains unadoptable.
For five more years, they could not find Vala's mother. Finally when she was found, they brought her to the orphanage, but she refused to see Vala. Vala wrote a note to her mother, begging her to see her. Still she refused. The courts made a case up and eventually (3 years later) her parental rights were severed.
By the time Vala was now adoptable no Ukrainian families would want her - she was now 12-13 years old. As I've said, Ukrainians do not adopt older children. Through no fault of her own, Vala, like so many other children, are sentenced to spend the rest of their lives in an orphanage, waiting to be kicked out at 16 years old. They have no support system here and the children are not taught what to do once they leave. It is horribly upsettling for us. We just can't imagine not telling our children how to handle money, where to find housing, help them figure out what their next step in life is! Just send them out with the clothes on their backs. I can't barely stand it. No, I can't understand it at all.
But, Slava Bog (Praise God) this is not the fate for Vala. And this is not the fate for several other children here. There are caring Americans who are coming over, paying the price and giving these children a hope and a future. Thank you to all of you and the others from Italy, Spain, and Canada who are reaching out and snatching up some of these children as well!
Here is a pic of Vala, John and our young interpreter. Vala and Papa were working on learning words in English when they were distracted with this ever energetic young man! He loves to wrestle around and playing "thumb war." This is one of his and John's favorite games. Here he was trying to gain some leverage against John, but with little success! lol! He is a sweet kid who is stuck in the system just like many others. If we could pack him up and bring him home we would! Fortunately for him, he has a family he's met in an outreach program to the States and they are trying very hard to get his circumstances changed so he can be adopted. Please join us in praying for this bright young man and the family that desperately wants him as they battle to get him freed up for adoption. I know they will appreciate it greatly!
With the quarantine lifted the children are looking forward to returning to school today. They have been off for 5 weeks and were bored to death. Vala will attend school today and Friday, but we will spend the other days with her seeing some sights of her home country before we take her from it. She so very rarely gets to leave the orphanage that she doesn't know her country very well. Please join us in praying nothing hinders us taking her out.
We were able to bring Vala to church with us yesterday with an escort from the orphanage. It was a wonderful gift to be able to take her to a Ukrainian Christian church service held in her own tongue! This gave her a glimpse into what church will be like in the States when we get there. She sat very quietly (except for the usual kid huffing and puffing). When we left the church building though, she was all smiles, skipping and holding John's hand. Every experience we take her to, is a new one for her. It's amazing how much we have exposed our children to at home and have to remember that at 15 years old, Vala has had almost none of these. Baby steps. We must take baby steps.
Since we got out of service earlier than we thought, we walked to McDonalds for some ice cream sundaes. Vala still did not eat all of hers but happily chatted on and on, goofing around and was the most happy and relaxed we had seen her. It made our hearts just sing to see and hear her.
When we got back to the orphanage, we visited for a bit with another couple from America that was there. They are one week ahead of us. Tomorrow they receive their court documents, then will begin their "running around with their head cut off" phase. They will prayerfully be leaving on an overnight train tomorrow night to Kiev. They are on an even tighter time restraint as the US Embassy is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the week. Our prayers go out to them. We have enjoyed their friendship while here and will remain in contact once we all get back to the States.
When it was time for us to leave, I held up seven fingers and said to Vala, "In 7 days Vala will..." I was going to say be in the same spot as her friend, getting ready to leave the orphanage. BUT Vala happily cut into my sentence and said "Vala will say, 'bye-bye (orphanage)! Dasvedanya!" She waved enthusiastically with a HUGE smile on her face. She then skipped to the door to help escort us out. She is ready to come home.
Thank you again (do you get tired of hearing me say this?) for all your prayers and e-mails. Even though we can not respond to everyones, we do get them and they are such an encouragement to us. The prayer list is the same this week, with the added request for time semi-alone with Vala to work on our communication skills. We are trying to establish words that she knows to communicate the basic things necessary to everyday life. It will all become very real to her once she steps off the plane and no one immediately around her speaks her language. We want her to be able to communicate and not feel shut in.
Until next time - we love you all. We miss you! We are excited about this next week and the one coming after. Soon we will be home. Ah! We can not wait to sleep in our own beds again!
Dasvedanya!
Jenn
It is Monday morning for us and the sun is shining brightly! It is just gorgeous outside! We have come to Ukraine at the wrong time of the year to see it in it's beauty (lots of fog, rain, general cloudiness and then there's the pollution -yuk!), but today shows us how beautiful this country is! The grass is still green and some of trees are hanging onto their leaves. The sky is a rare jeweled blue and there is not a cloud in the sky!
I won't talk long as I selfishly want to get out and walk in this beautiful day the Lord has given us! But I did want to take a few moments and keep you up-to-date with what is happening here. It's been a couple of days since I last posted.
As you have seen, we had our Court Appointment on Thursday, and after 3 hours, the judge, jurors, prosecutor and everyone else involved said we could adopt Vala! Wonderful! Vala didn't eat a lot over our little celebratory lunch with Sergiy and our driver, but she did try. Strangely, eating seems to be an issue for her. Either she's unaccustomed to people buying food for her, or she finds it strange to eat in front of us, or....? Who knows? But she hasn't eaten much the few times we've had her out.
Vala ordered food similar to her new Papa and found it much too much for her little body to eat. We had one rare moment of funniness from her when she asked Sergiy what a word was in English. He responded "help". She looked at John, shoving her plate towards him, and cutely said, "Papa help!" It was adorable! She was asking him to help finish up her plate! Who knew they did such a thing here in Ukraine too? John and her have had moments of goofiness and it's wonderful to see. She has never had a father.
In court it was revealed she has been in the orphanage since she was 5 years old and before that, a homeless shelter of sorts. We have no idea how long before that. They had a hard time tracking down her mother to try and either take custody again or to sever parental rights. We are seeing this as an issue here. A child will remain in the orphan system, but has real living legal parents or guardians and so the child remains unadoptable.
For five more years, they could not find Vala's mother. Finally when she was found, they brought her to the orphanage, but she refused to see Vala. Vala wrote a note to her mother, begging her to see her. Still she refused. The courts made a case up and eventually (3 years later) her parental rights were severed.
By the time Vala was now adoptable no Ukrainian families would want her - she was now 12-13 years old. As I've said, Ukrainians do not adopt older children. Through no fault of her own, Vala, like so many other children, are sentenced to spend the rest of their lives in an orphanage, waiting to be kicked out at 16 years old. They have no support system here and the children are not taught what to do once they leave. It is horribly upsettling for us. We just can't imagine not telling our children how to handle money, where to find housing, help them figure out what their next step in life is! Just send them out with the clothes on their backs. I can't barely stand it. No, I can't understand it at all.
But, Slava Bog (Praise God) this is not the fate for Vala. And this is not the fate for several other children here. There are caring Americans who are coming over, paying the price and giving these children a hope and a future. Thank you to all of you and the others from Italy, Spain, and Canada who are reaching out and snatching up some of these children as well!
Here is a pic of Vala, John and our young interpreter. Vala and Papa were working on learning words in English when they were distracted with this ever energetic young man! He loves to wrestle around and playing "thumb war." This is one of his and John's favorite games. Here he was trying to gain some leverage against John, but with little success! lol! He is a sweet kid who is stuck in the system just like many others. If we could pack him up and bring him home we would! Fortunately for him, he has a family he's met in an outreach program to the States and they are trying very hard to get his circumstances changed so he can be adopted. Please join us in praying for this bright young man and the family that desperately wants him as they battle to get him freed up for adoption. I know they will appreciate it greatly!
With the quarantine lifted the children are looking forward to returning to school today. They have been off for 5 weeks and were bored to death. Vala will attend school today and Friday, but we will spend the other days with her seeing some sights of her home country before we take her from it. She so very rarely gets to leave the orphanage that she doesn't know her country very well. Please join us in praying nothing hinders us taking her out.
We were able to bring Vala to church with us yesterday with an escort from the orphanage. It was a wonderful gift to be able to take her to a Ukrainian Christian church service held in her own tongue! This gave her a glimpse into what church will be like in the States when we get there. She sat very quietly (except for the usual kid huffing and puffing). When we left the church building though, she was all smiles, skipping and holding John's hand. Every experience we take her to, is a new one for her. It's amazing how much we have exposed our children to at home and have to remember that at 15 years old, Vala has had almost none of these. Baby steps. We must take baby steps.
Since we got out of service earlier than we thought, we walked to McDonalds for some ice cream sundaes. Vala still did not eat all of hers but happily chatted on and on, goofing around and was the most happy and relaxed we had seen her. It made our hearts just sing to see and hear her.
When we got back to the orphanage, we visited for a bit with another couple from America that was there. They are one week ahead of us. Tomorrow they receive their court documents, then will begin their "running around with their head cut off" phase. They will prayerfully be leaving on an overnight train tomorrow night to Kiev. They are on an even tighter time restraint as the US Embassy is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the week. Our prayers go out to them. We have enjoyed their friendship while here and will remain in contact once we all get back to the States.
When it was time for us to leave, I held up seven fingers and said to Vala, "In 7 days Vala will..." I was going to say be in the same spot as her friend, getting ready to leave the orphanage. BUT Vala happily cut into my sentence and said "Vala will say, 'bye-bye (orphanage)! Dasvedanya!" She waved enthusiastically with a HUGE smile on her face. She then skipped to the door to help escort us out. She is ready to come home.
Thank you again (do you get tired of hearing me say this?) for all your prayers and e-mails. Even though we can not respond to everyones, we do get them and they are such an encouragement to us. The prayer list is the same this week, with the added request for time semi-alone with Vala to work on our communication skills. We are trying to establish words that she knows to communicate the basic things necessary to everyday life. It will all become very real to her once she steps off the plane and no one immediately around her speaks her language. We want her to be able to communicate and not feel shut in.
Until next time - we love you all. We miss you! We are excited about this next week and the one coming after. Soon we will be home. Ah! We can not wait to sleep in our own beds again!
Dasvedanya!
Jenn
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A moment of your time, please......
We would like to proudly introduce.....
Valentina
Grace
Brown
Our family's newest member!!!
We successfully made it through the 3 hours of court. Many questions were asked and although it wasn't the most pleasant of all experiences we are so very thankful it went as well as it did.
S.H. -we got the very same jurors! can you believe it????
We celebrated at a local restaurant with our interpreter and driver. Then sadly, he had to return her to the orphanage while we wait our next 10 day waiting period. But even that couldn't dampen any of our smiles, giggles and just the sheer joy God has given us. We heard more 'Slava Bog's today than the whole trip combined! Every official, representative, orphanage worker and child is so happy for Vala and us. It is a glorious day that we have long waited for! Slava Bog! (Praise God!) for His mercy, His kindness, His love and provision!
John and I have not had much sleep in the past two nights, in fact he's already fallen asleep while I'm typing this! We are going to hit the bed early and get a good, restful night's sleep.
Until next time......
Valentina
Grace
Brown
Our family's newest member!!!
We successfully made it through the 3 hours of court. Many questions were asked and although it wasn't the most pleasant of all experiences we are so very thankful it went as well as it did.
S.H. -we got the very same jurors! can you believe it????
We celebrated at a local restaurant with our interpreter and driver. Then sadly, he had to return her to the orphanage while we wait our next 10 day waiting period. But even that couldn't dampen any of our smiles, giggles and just the sheer joy God has given us. We heard more 'Slava Bog's today than the whole trip combined! Every official, representative, orphanage worker and child is so happy for Vala and us. It is a glorious day that we have long waited for! Slava Bog! (Praise God!) for His mercy, His kindness, His love and provision!
John and I have not had much sleep in the past two nights, in fact he's already fallen asleep while I'm typing this! We are going to hit the bed early and get a good, restful night's sleep.
Until next time......
Vala and I wish you a good night!
Singing praises to the One with all my heart! Jenn
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