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

Seeing Kiev and Paperwork in Hand

Greetings!

Julie and I really had a fun, adventurous day today. We were blessed to be again joined by our new friend Heather, who is from Nashville and is living in Ukraine working for Radooga, a ministry which serves Ukrainian youth, including orphans. She took time out of her day to accompany us around the city, and we can't speak highly enough of her and her organization. They are saving lives and changing a country for Christ. Check them out here at radooga.com.

As an amusing side note, I may not have mentioned that when we first arrived here, we purchased a Ukrainian cell phone and loaded it with enough minutes for the duration of our trip, which cost very little. We have used it a few times to speak to our facilitator and Heather, but we have been receiving, almost non-stop, some interesting text messages. For example:

                                                                       

Not sure what these are about, but we assume its some type of mass marketing campaign. Anyway, we had two things we needed to do today. First, we had to pick up our official letter giving us permission to visit A's region at the SDA. Second, we needed to buy some crafting supplies to take with us to share with A's friends at the orphanage. With Heather as our guide, we made a full day of it. We first walked down to near Maidan Square to have lunch at the Globus, which is an underground mall. Along the way, we saw a few things of note.

This if the Golden Gate, or Zoloti vorota. This is the original location, but largely a reconstruction of the gate that marked the boundary of Kiev 1,000 years ago. There used to be only wilderness on the other side.

This is the excellent Italian restaurant where we had dinner Monday night.

We went to a Ukrainian, cafeteria-style restaurant in the food court, which turned out to be pretty good. We had soup, Kiev chicken, which is fried chicken with butter on the inside, potato salad and bread. Also at the food court there was a McDonalds and Baskin Robbins. Then there was this place, which we did not patronize, although a part of me really wanted to. 

 McFoxy Lady! A chicken place rather than a McDonalds knock off. Wasn't highly recommended. 

After lunch, we took the Ukrainian Metro to a large retail store called MegaMart. The Kiev Metro is the deepest in the world, and where we entered it seemed to take 5 or more minutes just to get down the fast moving escalator.The ride itself was comparable to most other subways I've been on. Coming up out the subway, there was American music playing (as there always seems to be) over an intercom system. This time, it was AC DC (Highway to Hell). At the top of the stairs, there was a Ukrainian gentlemen passing out some type of flyer, only he was doing it while simultaneously doing the Chuck Berry dance a la Johnny B Goode and screaming out something like "Oh Yeah!" in falsetto and in time with the music. It's unfortunate that I couldn't get a picture made with this guy, but it was snowing and I ended it taking a header right on the pavement as soon as I stepped off the stairs. I was probably thinking of how I would imitate him given a chance. I can say, however, that all three of us ended up falling at different times during our long trek through the snow. 

MegaMart was a lot like Costco, and we found lots of good craft supplies and gifts for the children. My kids will  like this picture, as they had what they affectionately call "drivey carts:"

After MegaMart, we took the Metro back towards the SDA with the intent of taking a cool train up the side of the steep bluff I mentioned yesterday (sort of like an incline train). When we got there, the attendant said it was closed. When asked why, she shrugged and said it was snowing. In any case, we got a picture made in front of it. 

Since we couldn't take the train, we had a pretty long, very slippery, uphill hike to get to the SDA. Once there, we were able to pick up our letter of recommendation without incident after a 45 minute wait. During that time, we met several other American families from Arizona, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It's wonderful to see so many others with a heart for orphans. Then, we had a snowy hike back to our apartment. The city was very beautiful in the snowy dusk. 

Snowy Kiev

Back at our apartment, we had some more fellowship time with Heather before she departed for Western Ukraine. We really look forward to seeing her again on our third trip here. Afterward, we bravely set out on our own to a pizza place we saw on our way back. Thankfully, they spoke English (as many people in Kiev seem to) and we ordered our dinner and walked back. Now we have to finish packing our things and getting ready to travel in a few hours. It's amazing to think that 6 months exactly since we tearfully placed "A" back on an airplane home we will be seeing her again. The Lord has certainly gone before us and blessed us through this whole venture, and we can't wait to see her again. Look for many more photos and details in the days to come. This is the end of what I wanted to share with you about our adoption experiences today. However, if you're at all curious about our take on the political climate here in Ukraine, please keep reading.

As I close, I want to address the political situation in Ukraine, which is headline news around the world. I'm going to generalize a bit, but please bear with me this matter is heavy on my heart. Without going into too much detail, we've learned much more about the Maidan protests, and will have much more to say about it later on once the adoption process is complete. It's often said that we Americans take things (possessions, material items, freedoms, lifestyles, etc.).  for granted, and that is certainly true. However, what we don't realize is the source of those things. Ingrained in American culture is an amazing concept: A government of law, not men. In America, the law is supreme,  it flows up from the people, and we and our elected leaders alike are bound to it. We are all equal before the law. And the law clearly confirms inalienable rights granted by our Creator (it does not create them, only affirms them). As a result of the law securing these rights, we may assemble and worship as we choose, bear arms, conduct business freely, contract with whom we choose, state our opinions without legal reprisal, and be guaranteed a litany of legal rights in criminal and civil cases. The material success of our country, while a blessing, is not a forgone conclusion around in the world, and does not naturally occur in other countries as a result of the accumulation of wealth and power. Our system remains a rarity in the history of the world and in the world today. We are what we are and have what we have because our liberty is enshrined in law that everyone is subject to equally. Conversely, in Ukraine, the president can have laws created, changed, eliminated, bent, or ignored. People can and are being beaten, arrested, robbed, blacklisted, and vanishing, on a whim. Ukraine, unfortunately, is currently a government of men.  Here what rights you have are subject to the government, and the law means nothing if you know the right person or have enough money. I understand partisan politics in the US and am not without political convictions, but there is nothing even remotely close equivalent to Democratic or Republican party politics here. There are dozens of parties and competing interests in Maidan Square (Independence Square, ironically), and I don't pretend to understand the details of this movement. However, I can tell you that the people who have been in the cold for two months have one unifying desire: that they would become a free nation where rights are protected by law, and power is exerted by the people over the government, and not the government over the people. 

You might well say that a government of law is well and good, what kind of law? Bad laws would mean bad government. What is the source of our law? On November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Abraham Lincoln gave what is one of the most revered speeches in American history that simply and eloquently sums up our governmental philosophy: 

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth"

Beautiful words, but not unique. 500 years earlier, John Wycliffe, an English theologian, completed a translation of the New Testament into English, a revolutionary act at the time. Wycliffe was so reviled by the Vatican for translating the Bible into a language his countrymen could understand that 44 years after his death his body was dug up and his bones were ground to powder and cast into the river Thames. 

In the prologue of the Wycliffe Bible, written in 1384, is stated the following:

"This Bible is for the Government of the People, by the People, and for the People."

Let's pray that the Ukrainian government will discover and confirm, and the American people remember, the source of their rights, laws, and government. 

Will update you all tomorrow. Have a blessed evening.

Michael and Julie

Smooth Sailing

Good evening all,

We had another pretty easy day here. This morning we had our appointment with the SDA, which is basically the equivalent of our Department of Children's Services. Our facilitator met us in front of our apartment at 8:40 and led us on a 15 minute walk to the location. It was a cold, brisk morning, and fortunately I dressed a little bit more appropriately (3 to 4 layers, gloves, wool hat). We took a few pictures of the route along the way. 

This is the sign on the front of our apartment. We took it so we could remember our location, as the buildings and streets in this part of the city look very similar. If you can't read Ukrainian, it says " The Wall Family is staying here, cash donations accepted." Obviously, the people here can't read...

Looking northeast along Strelyetskaya Street from our apartment entrance. Ukrainian roads are narrow, and if people were to park on the street, would be only one lane wide. So they just park on the sidewalk. Problem solved. 

One of the interesting things we passed on the way was the Golden Gate, which was built in the 11th century, supposedly by a fellow named Yaroslav the Wise. A portion of the original structure remains, and we'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. The SDA office is located at the top of a bluff right next to St. Andrews Church, which was built in the late 1700's but destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. The bluff overlooks the Dnieper River. 

St. Andrews church from the side entrance to the SDA.

Our meeting was quick and simple. We were required to show our passports and sign a book, and then our facilitator translated the contents of A's personal file including family and medical history. There were no real revelations - things were close to what we presumed about her past. We were done in less than 20 minutes, another hassle-free step completed with ease. We have to return to the SDA tomorrow between 4 and 5pm in order to pick up our official letter to visit A's region. 

After we got back, we had nothing to do the rest of the day, which allowed us to catch up on some much needed sleep. This evening, we were lucky to be joined by our friends Heather (from Nashville) and Lesya (from Kiev) for dinner. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with them, and they each know A from previous Radooga (an organization which ministers to orphans in Ukraine) summer camps. We learned more about life in Ukraine and heard more stories about orphans in Ukraine. We found ourselves a bit overwhelmed at the way our lives have changed as a result of this journey, the new friends we've met, places we've been, and things we are now a part of that we couldn't have guessed at a year ago. We feel so truly blessed to be here. 

We will have more free time tomorrow, during which I think we will venture out to see more of the city and do some gift shopping for the other kids in A's groupa (kind of like roommates) at the orphanage. Our friends in region informed us that A was smiling and happy today and knows that she will see us on Wednesday. Of course, we can't wait. We will be leaving at 3am Wednesday morning to go see her. 

Thank you all for your continued prayers. To Ryan, Hannah, and Jack: Banana Peel and Captain Mommyface love you. 

We will update you all tomorrow. 

Michael and Julie

Good morning! (Or evening, afternoon, night, etc.)

Well, after about 20 hours of travel Julie and I landed safely in Kiev 1pm on Sunday. The travel was largely uneventful, and we were thankful to have a very comfortable 7 hour flight from DC to Frankfurt during which we watched Despicable Me 2 (made us miss our kids) but weren't able to sleep much. We arrived at Frankfurt at Gate Z69, and had to get to Gate B32. Needless to say, we had quite a long walk on our hands. There was one anxious moment going through security when we were made to take our passports and money pouches off our persons. Thankfully everything was in order and was returned. Along the way we met a couple (J and B) from Brentwood who are traveling to adopt a boy that they had hosted previously. It was nice to have their company.

The flight to Kiev was also uneventful. It was interesting to hear all the announcements made in German and then Ukrainian, and finally in English. I found it exciting to be surrounded by conversation I couldn't understand. After we landed, I heard someone in the seat behind me and knew he was no Ukrainian. I turned around and found myself looking up at an old boy from South Georgia (USA, not Republic of Georgia) wearing a camo jacket, three day beard, and UGA hat. It was fun to have a quick college football conversation, although the Ukrainians jammed around us on the plane were a little puzzled. He and his wife are also here to adopt. It is, as they say, a small world.

Based on all we had read, we were prepared for trouble going through customs in Kiev but it couldn't have been easier. The attendant simply asked where we arrived from and stamped our passport. This was an unexpected blessing, as we were prepared to be detained, have our things searched, and be questioned extensively. Our facilitator found us quickly after we picked up our luggage, and we were on our way! No snow on the ground, but moderate winds to go along with a strong chill in the air.

Here we are at the airport in Kiev. I am of course under dressed and look completely American. Julie is pulling off the Ukrainian "look" pretty well.

Once we arrived in Kiev proper, we passed dozens of these apartment high rises. There are some small shops in the vicinity, but for the most part people live here and commute to work. There is an extensive public transportation system and many people were out walking as well. I would say Ukrainians are aggressive when driving, even compared to the most aggressive Americans.

Apartments in Kiev

We went from the airport to exchange dollars to Hyvrina (Ukrainian currency) and then to a grocery store to get some supplies. While it wasn't Publix or Kroger, the selection was pretty good and the prices pretty reasonable. You bring your own bags for groceries here, or else you buy them at the checkout. Our total came to 376 Hyvrina, which is about $45. Julie handed the clerk 500 Hyvrina, which was the smallest bill we had, and an issue arose because the clerk couldn't make change. Luckily our facilitator helped us out otherwise we would simply have had to give the store a donation (or the cashier a generous tip). It was interesting that there didn't appear to be any desire to get a bookkeeper or manager to make change for us. Rather, this would have to be handled at her level. All in all though, it was a good experience, and we got bread, juice, soda, eggs, butter, ham, bell peppers, oranges, and some treats for the kids when we go to the orphanage.The eggs, bell peppers, and bread made a delicious dinner and I'm happy to report that Coca Cola in Ukraine tastes just like Coca Cola in the US of A.

                                                               Ukrainian groceries.

We were definitely noticed and stared at while we were out and about, as the way we walked (more slowly than the locals) and acted (more passive) appeared to give us away as American. The concept of personal space is pretty much unknown here as well, and the people would jam themselves into tiny spaces at the grocery store. For example, I watched a line form at the produce scale and saw someone place their items on the scale and then turn to the side briefly to speak to a companion. No sooner did she turn than the guy behind her stepped up and tapped her brusquely on the shoulder and asked her, I assume, to make haste. Thus began an increasingly loud back and forth that didn't stop until the lady moved on, which couldn't have been more than 20 or 30 seconds after she first got to the scale. Needless to say, I just tried to keep our grocery cart, which was impossible to steer, out of everyone else's way.

We arrived at our apartment in the early evening and it's terrific! There is a small kitchen with a gas stove, bathroom, and bedroom. We estimate the ceilings to be 14 feet or more high. There is a small washing machine in the bathroom as well. We have free Wifi, and about 100 channels including BBC and CNN. Many apartment buildings here, ours included, appear from the outside and even along the inner corridors to be crumbling, but once you go inside the unit, things tend to be nice and well kept. We're on the third floor, which you can reach via elevator or stairs. We will opt for the stairs in the future as the elevator is Soviet era and can hold at a maximum 2 people at a time. The doors also open and shut very quickly and violently. Julie and I just made it in on the way up, although my jacket got stuck in the door, and no Herculean effort on my part could release it. If I'm not mistaken the doors opened and shut twice before Julie could get out when we got to the top.

                                                                   Our bathroom.

                                                                       Our bedroom.

Early this morning we received this picture via email from our friends (B and K) who are adopting a girl (V) who is a friend of A and who lives at the same orphanage. We got to know B and K this summer when they hosted V. It was such a blessing to know that she's waiting for us, and of course we can't wait to see her.

                                      "A", taken today at GFI. Thanks to B and K for the picture!

We have our appointment with the SDA in a few hours at which time we will learn her full family and medical history and then receive official permission to travel to her city on Wednesday morning. We should have a lot of free time until then, which we hope to spend resting, sight-seeing, and taking in the local culture. There are many churches, museums, and historic things to see, but the cold may make it difficult to enjoy. I saw a Domino's Pizza, TGIFridays, and McDonalds on our way to the apartment but Julie insists these don't count as local culture. I'm not sure I agree, but as Paul said, in non-essentials, charity.

Special thanks to my Mom, Dad, and Sister for helping us get here in so many ways; I will keep ya'll much better informed the next few days! Thanks to Julie's Mom, Dad, and family for watching our kids, and to the Johnson family for an emergency run to the airport to deliver Julie's parka, which will be helpful with the single digit temperatures coming our way.  Thank you as well to our church family. You've all been such a blessing to us as one body and as individuals. This entire event has been covered in prayer, and we're so thankful to all of you.

We'll update you all tomorrow.

Michael and Julie

*****UPDATE: Just got back from our appointment. All went well. Yay!

Summer Hosting

Some sweet friends put this video together for us with pictures from our hosting time this past Summer. Thanks, Bob and Susan Craft!!

We have a date!

We are so happy to report that we officially have an appointment with the Ministry of Adoption and Rights of the Child in the capital city of our daughters country! We will be leaving the US on January 18th , and our appointment will be January 20th. The purpose of this appointment is to receive permission to travel to our girls region of the country and adopt her specifically. This first trip should last for about 1 week, and, Lord willing, we will get to see her again on January 22nd or 23rd. If all goes well, we should receive a court date, which will likely be about 1 month after our appointment date.

We're so excited to begin counting down the days until we see "A" again; it has added something special to an already special season. It has also brought back to us memories of "A" from this past summer (seems like so long ago!) I was thinking today about the first few days that she was home with us. During family meals, we noticed that she slumped forward in her seat with her head bowed while she ate, cautiously glancing up at us on occasion. Happily, as she felt more secure and safe, she grew out of this and would smile, talk, and interact with us during meals. Based on her behavior, we can only wonder what mealtime must be like at the orphanage.

As the month continued on, she became more and more a part of our family. Whenever I would call Julie from work she would give "A" the phone and the onslaught of Russian language would begin! I'm fairly certain that every event that had occurred to that point in her day was recounted to me, but of course all I understood was "Papa!".  Likewise, as soon as I got home from work I would be grabbed by the arm and led back to her room to see what she had drawn or arranged with the dollhouse. What was important to her was to have someone that would sit and listen, comprehension aside. I look so forward to being be-fuddled again! Although I should mention that Julie and I are working with Rosetta Stone to learn some of the Russian language (Julie is far ahead of me at this point).

As the process continues and we get closer, I've been increasingly aware of why we are doing this.

It is not because it's simple, quick, or in-expensive. It is none of these things. Further, as many of you know, our family is dealing with additional stress during this time unrelated to the adoption but having an effect on it all the same.

This is also not being done from a misplaced altruism or because we view ourselves as "rescuers". God help us the moment we see ourselves and not Him as the solution.

Rather, we love "A", and she felt like a part of our family from the beginning. We are adopting her not because we are worthy of being her rescuer, but because we are so un-worthy, and yet we have been rescued! In my own life, in spite of every advantage in upbringing, education, a beautiful wife, three (soon to be four) precious children, a wonderful church family and support system, there has been failing at every turn. How weak our flesh truly is and easily corrupted our hearts can become! And yet at the cross all things were made new! Every sin forgiven, every debt paid, forevermore. None of us as followers of Christ deserve that merit. So how much more gracious to this world should we be, who have been forgiven a debt that we could never hope to repay? The Lord brings a young girl without a family into our lives and gives us a love for her, so how could we who have been adopted into the universal family of God not adopt her into our own family? For this precious child, alone in the world and yet born in our hearts, what will we not do to bring her home? How much time is too long? What distance is too far? What cost is too great? In light of the gospel, the answer is none. We rely on Him to provide the patience to wait, the strength to endure, and the resources to complete this journey, so that it can be said:

"Not unto us, O Lord, Not unto us,
But to Thy name give glory.
Because of your mercy, because of your truth."  (Psalm 115:1)

Where would be we without the mercy and truth of Jesus? I'm certain we would not be on the verge of an international adoption.

Thank you all so much for your support to date! We ask that you prayerfully consider donating further to this cause (see Julie's last blog entry).

                                                                       Papa and "A"

Lotion Bars Fundraiser

Thanks to everyone who has helped us raise funds to bring our girl home! We're almost halfway there!

Over the past couple months I've shared a booth with a dear friend at a handful of craft fairs. I enjoy working at these shows because it's given me a chance to meet many wonderful people. I love hearing your stories and to share my family's story with you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your lives!

Some of you have asked how you can order more of the solid lotion bars you sampled at the craft fairs. Because we're running this as a fundraiser and not a for-profit business, here's how it will work. Go to our donation site here and make a donation to our adoption fund. As a thank you, we will send you a gift. The gift designation will be as follows:

For a gift of $15, you'll receive one solid lotion bar in your choice of scent.
For a gift of $25, you'll receive two lotion bars in your choice of scent(s).
$35 = three lotion bars
$45 = four lotion bars
$60 = five lotion bars

After you make your donation here, please email me with your address and the scent(s) you'd like to receive. I'll mail out the lotion bars weekly on Saturday.

Thank you!!
Julie

Lotion bars...
- are made from natural, food-grade ingredients (coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, essential oils)
- do not contain any preservatives
- are gentle on sensitive skin
- help preserve your skin's natural oils
- create a moisture barrier that allows for multiple handwashings before requiring reapplication
- won't get tossed when you pass through an airport security check
- are about the size of a bar of soap, just thinner
- come in four scents (shea butter, shea with cloves, cocoa butter, chocolate peppermint)
- last for about six months (when used 1-2 times a day)

***DISCLAIMER***
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or skin condition. However, if my hands could talk...