A's Orphanage - Day 1

Good morning all,

As usual, yesterday was an amazing and full day. It began at 3am with a 6 hour drive to our daughter's orphanage. It's in a city of over a million located in eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border. The drive was great, although I wasn't able to sleep. The road was snowy and icy in some places but our driver (L) did an amazing job and is the husband of our facilitator in-region, also named L. For most of the way we drove in darkness, but the countryside I did see when it got light was mostly farmland and very flat, with cropland stretching away in the distance. It looked similar to areas in Kentucky and Illinois in that respect. By around 9am we had arrived in and found ourselves in a gentle snowfall. From the couple of stops we had along the way, it seems to get colder the further east you travel. We were able to take a few photographs of the city.

Railroad switch-yard 

On the road. 

We stopped at McDonalds for a quick breakfast, and then by the local SDA office to drop off our paperwork and pick up a local SDA representative to come to the orphanage with us, the purpose being that an official government representative be present to ensure that A is not coerced or forced into agreeing to be adopted. From there, it was time to go to the orphanage! It's located in a village outside of the city.

Cold snowy entrance. 

We parked in front of the school in about 6 inches of snow and got out to see the main building looking exactly as it had in pictures.

Cold but excited.  

From there, we went in. Although exhausted, our adrenaline was spiking and emotions were in overdrive. We were shown in and then spent about 10 minutes meticulously removing snow from our bags, boots, and persons as it is extremely rude to track any snow into the orphanage. From the entrance we were led into a classroom, accompanied by the school nurse and psychologist. Very soon, A entered the room! It happened so fast it's hard to describe. She ran right to Julie and gave her a huge, long hug. I got a handshake! It's okay because while in America A really bonded with me and tended to view Julie more as an authority figure, so I'm glad it happened the way it did. We then sat down with A, our facilitator/translator, the SDA social worker, school nurse, and psychologist. Usually, the children are required to write a letter stating that they wish to be adopted. Since A cannot write, she was asked with those present as witnesses if she wanted to be adopted by us. Her answer was Da! Da! Da! (yes yes yes). She was asked several other questions, with the answer always being yes. It was a joyous moment that we expected and anticipated, but found overwhelming all the same. A was then joined by her friend V who is being adopted by some wonderful folks from Brentwood, B and K. We all spent the next 5 hours together and had a great time.

V and A. Friends in the orphanage. Soon to be friends (and neighbors) in Tennessee. PTL!

A watching "The Year in Review", a yearly video put together by our wonderful siblings D and L. It features photographs of the whole extended family from throughout the past year set to music. There were more than half a dozen photographs with A in them, which she loved. She also enjoyed getting to see pictures of her "cousins" from this past summer. She is excited that she will be a permanent part of a big family that loves her already. Thank you so much, D and L. This was a big hit!

Having puzzle time with Mama.

So many happy moments. This one was months in the making. God is good, all the time!

Jenga was a big hit for our families.

The end of the day. Getting bundled up and ready to walk back to her groupa house. 

When it was time to go, A made us promise that we would come back tomorrow and told us that she loved us several times. On the way to the entrance, she grabbed a couple of her friends who were walking by and introduced me as "Otyets" (Dad). She was a very proud girl, and I was a very emotional Dad. We watched her walk off with V at the end of the day, wondering if they were filled with hope knowing they have families and a future in America.

A and V on their way back to the dorm for night-time. 

From there we had dinner at an Italian restaurant (more pizza) and returned to our new apartment which we are sharing with B and K. It is a great place with 2 bedrooms, a large bathroom, a kitchen, dining room, and living room, all for $50 a night. Compared to Kiev, this is an inexpensive city.

This has been an overwhelming day in so many ways and exhausting as well. Thank you all for following and keeping up! Can't wait to see A again tomorrow.

Michael and Julie