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