National Adoption Day

We woke to the sound of David’s voice coming from the kitchen.  David and Ingrid arrived safely.  They will be staying at a nearby church.  All three sets of adopting parents traveled together for an early visit to the orphanage to see a special presentation by the children at the orphanage.  It was beautiful!  From the smallest singer to the teenagers dancing the performance was a delight.  Many smiling faces, hugs, introductions and celebrating.   Masha even sang a solo and we are so proud of her!  We had purchased a rose for Masha and the orphanage director on our way.   She presented her rose to her teacher as she came off the stage!   Please be patient waiting for photos of the day.  Unfortunately our camera did not properly charge and would not turn on when we arrived for this special occasion!

As if that were not enough blessing for one day, we were able to spend the rest of the afternoon visiting with Masha in the activity room.  The other families joined in card games, looking at photos and laughing at our limited translating abilities.  Wow those children are quick to learn though!  Several children came up to us today and introduced themselves clearly in English, counted to ten or yelled greetings as we came and went through the halls!  Nearing the end of our visiting time a large group of boys and girls came into the activity room and joined us on the floor just watching longingly as we helped Masha string beads onto her necklace.  Before long every boy and girl there had a colorful bracelet or necklace of their own and huge smiles on their faces as they stared into our faces for our approval and attention.  Glad Bob insisted on the container with 1500 beads – we used every one!  We were so touched and blessed by every little (and big) child in the circle.  Please pray for families and good homes for each one of them.  Thank you for remembering us in your prayers!  We are so thankful God has allowed us this opportunity!

Masha with her rose

David, Ingrid, Vanya, Dima, Vitaly and Misha

a choir

Masha singing a solo

Masha and Misha

Busy Days and Joyful Reunion

We have been without internet for a couple of days so it is time to catch up.  On Tuesday we spent time with David and Ingrid before our 4pm appointment at the SDA to pick up our referral.  When we arrived at the SDA to pick up our referral, we met with Jack and Laura Mertes (a couple also adopting from Uglegorsk, with Viktor’s help) and we met Anya, who is our translator for our train ride and for the rest of our trip.  After we received our papers we were whisked away to the train station and we had to run to our train…I guess we are getting used to running to catch our rides.  We had very little information about the train ride, so we learned some things along the way.  It was a long ride; we left the station at 7:30pm and arrived in Donetsk at 11:30 the next morning.  We had eaten our lunch with David and Ingrid at about 2pm not knowing that would be the last time we would eat for 24 hours because we soon found out that there was no food on the train so we were in for a long, hungry ride.  Also, the bathroom was very tiny, dirty, without heated or drinkable water and without proper ventilation.  

On the Train

Stops along the way

When we arrived in Donetsk we were met by Viktor, who had been waiting for us for 4 hours because the train he rode on with the Jack and Laura had arrived (on time) in Donetsk at 7am.   Still no time for food, rest or bathroom breaks.

Our next destination was a 1 hour taxi ride to meet with the local inspector.  We had to sign some more papers and then we took an inspector with us to the orphanage to ask Masha if she wanted to be adopted into our family.  When we arrived at the orphanage we immediately saw a familiar face.  Playing outside was our friend, Vova, who was hosted by our friends the Fyburgers and also soon to be adopted.  As soon as he saw us his grin was from ear to ear and Holly gave him a big hug for his mom.  When we went inside we were taken to the office of the director of the orphanage.  She asked us questions about our family and then gave us some personal information concerning Masha.  Then Masha was brought to us.  We were happy to finally get to see and hold her and she felt the same towards us and when asked she said she wants us to be her momma and papa.  We were very happy to finally be at this point and to have the confirmation that the love we feel for her is also felt by her towards us.  Masha took us for a quick tour and we said some quick hellos to more familiar faces before she had to leave to go to dinner.  The Merteses were able to spend about 1 hour with Anna, their new daughter, before she also had to leave for dinner.  We then were rushed out for another appointment, without even getting to say goodbye to the girls.  The appointment ended up not happening for some technical reason, so finally we were able to go to a restaurant and get something to eat, for the first time in 24 hours.  We ate at a pizza shop and it was very good, though at that point we probably would have eaten just about anything.  After we finished eating we were taken to our apartment which we are sharing with Anya, so now we will always have translator with us.  We also save the money we would have needed to pay to provide her with her own apartment.

On Thursday, we had an early morning appointment with the notary to sign some paperwork and then we had free time to shop for groceries while we waited for our time with Masha which we found would be from 3-6pm.  While we had our free time the Jack and Laura had to go to Donetsk to do some extra paperwork that they need for their adoption.  After we finished our shopping, Anya took us to get our internet card so I could finally continue to update our blog.

At 3pm we arrived at the orphanage and Masha was waiting at the door for us.  We had a great time with her.  Now that she knows for sure that we are her momma and papa forever, she has really open up and we got to see a Masha we knew was buried inside and we longed to see, an affectionate, loving girl who just needed somebody to love and care for her unconditionally.  We were able to give some gifts to the children, from the Fryburgers, which was the highlight of their day.  Tomorrow Masha will be in a play and we have been given permission to watch so we are excited.  Please pray that David and Ingrid will arrive on time into Donetsk.  This will help our chances to see the play because Anya will be with them as they go through the same steps we went through on Wednesday.  Luckily we were able to warn them about the food situation on the train and our experiences.  Thank you for praying and to our children (Alyssa, Bradley, Cody, Drake and Emily).  We love and miss you.

Meeting with Director of Uglegorsk

Reunion

Happy Reunion

Masha's room

Masha and Anna

Masha showing us she still had pictures

Vanya...waiting for his parents to arrive

Apartment bedroom

Apartment living room and Anya's bedroom

Kitchen

Anya and Holly

2nd day with Masha Playing cards we brought her

Anna and Masha listening to music

SDA Appointment then Relaxing

This morning we had our appointment with the SDA and it went well.  We should receive our referral tomorrow afternoon and then we will be taking an overnight train ride to the orphanage.  We walked around the city a little more today and we have pictures of the Underground Mall.  It looks like you are going down into a subway, but it is really a mall much like you would find in the US.  Today also was the first time we ordered our own food at a restaurant without the help of an interpreter...of course it was McDonalds so it wasn't very hard.  We also were able to welcome David (Holly's brother) and Ingrid Semans as the arrived this evening in preparation of their SDA appointment on Wednesday...follow their blog at http://mission815.wordpress.com/

Entrance to Underground Mall

We ate here!

David and Ingrid arrive!

Walking in Kiev

We went for a walk in the city today to meet Viktor and see where our appointment would be tomorrow.  We also met another couple from Indiana who will also be adopting a girl (Anna) from Uglegorsk.  Viktor took us to a buffet style restaurant (not all-you-can-eat) where you go through the lines and pick the food you want.  They fill a dish for you and you pay before you find your seat.  We both ate well and with the 18oz. bottles of soda it only cost $10.25.  Tomorrow morning is our appointment with the SDA and then Tuesday night we take the train to see Masha.  We can't wait.  Below are more pictures of Kiev.

SDA

Street Vender

Traffic Police

Old Bus powered by overhead electric wires

                                        New Bus powered by overhead electric wires

Street Vender

                                                                       Bob and Viktor

Holly in a very old elevator

Bob unlocking our apartment

We have arrived!!

After a long day of traveling on three flights from Rochester, NY to Kiev, Ukraine we have finally got some rest.  It was an adventure for us being non-world travelers and knowing no Russian to begin with, but we also had some mishaps on the way.  Altogether we are just thrilled to be here safely and appreciate all of the support and prayers.  We wouldn't have made it without God's help through answered prayer.

Thursday, September 22 was a joyful good-bye at a successful fundraising dinner for the adoption.  Holly also went to the doctors to begin antibiotics for double ear infection/ear/nose/throat/chest congestion.  It has proven to be the worst part of the trip for her with pain/pressure etc.  Bob was doing well until we found that the first flight at Rochester was delayed two hours (just the amount of time we had to switch planes in Dulles, Washington, D.C.).  Sit and wait.  Sit and wait.  When it finally arrived, the passengers "carry-on" bags were hastily taken from us since there wasn't enough room overhead or under seats.  Holly was concerned because all of our personal belongings were snatched from us without warning.  Bob knew this would only hold us up longer at the next stop.   He was right!  When we got to Dulles we waited for about 50 carry-on bags to be rolled over to us outside.  People were pushing and shoving.  Bob had his glasses pushed off his face by a lady's handbag.  Then we had less than ten minutes to run at full speed, dragging our bags up and down stairs through a crowded Dulles airport, onto a train, back through more escalators and people.

We were three minutes past departure time. Our lungs and legs were burning - no time to drink or rest.  After a little debating, they rushed us onto the plane, past hundreds of staring people and gave us two seats together (yeah!) but in the very back of the plane. Hot, thirsty, no fresh air, seats don't recline, no foot room, bags are where we can't get to them, Holly's experiencing ear pain and pressure, seated next to a very large snoring man and a young foreign exchange student asks if she can sit by us on the other side so she can run to the bathroom (she "has the runs" she explains).  Holly has had enough running for one day and graciously gives up Bob's aisle seat!  Day turns to night and then when we arrive in Germany it is light again!

The last flight goes smoothly but we know that our baggage is not with us.  When we arrived at Kiev, we filled out paper work for lost luggage, but wonder if it will ever arrive.

Vicktor, our facilitator is terrific, gracious and helpful at the airport, taxi, apartment, dinner, and store.  We were finally settled in for the night when an 11pm call comes.  Someone says to come downstairs (5 flights) to receive our "found" luggage.  Bob is very hesitant and decides to wake Vicktor to make sure this is legitimate.  Hurray!  It is and we have all our belongings back!  The children at the orphanage will be so happy to get presents!
Sunday, September 24 we sleep in, organize paperwork, and wait to meet Vicktor and new U.S. adopting couple.  Please pray for Holly's ear - it is still completely plugged/blocked (can't hear through it) and hurts too!  We will keep you posted - thanks for praying for us!  Here are some pictures in Kiev from and of our apartment.