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They are EARLY

Yes they are.

Estimated Arrival 6:32PM - so get there. IT's a short walk from the gate and you don't want to miss it - so GO GO GO to CVG

Terminal 2 - upstairs. Park in short term. And RUN RUN RUN!

Kim (assistant to Jenny)

Just heard from David

they are in Washington DC and will get on the flight that brings them to Cvg at 7pm :)! Yeah! Joy!

United terminal

Okay, so I'm airport challenged, directionally challenged, every kind of which way challenged, but I do know it's a United flight that is to arrive at 7pm. United is in Terminal 2. I'm told it's a small terminal. So do short-term parking following signs for United. When you come in main entrance go toward ticket counter. I think you will go up some stairs and we should be there. I've been told it's a small enough terminal that we should be able to find each other and end up in the same spot! Thanks! I'm excited!! I'm in last minute clean mode trying to organize drawers that I've waited until the last minute to clean out. Love, Jenny

Confirmation of Flight

Okay, flight will be in Cvg at 7pm on Saturday. If the flight is delayed, I'll try to update the blog tomorrow. We would love to have all that have prayed and supported us at the airport to welcome David, Maks, Alona and Natasha. We'll be in the baggage claim area, the area before you get to security.

Hope to see you there! Love, Jenny

"For nothing is impossible with God"

The visas came! Yes Lord! I can't even type words because I am speechless. Actually not speechless, more like, "Yes!" "Woo-hoo!" "Praise you Lord!" That kind of thing. Words are just not adequate.

David is going to book the flight. Right now there are tickets on hold that will have David and the kids arriving in Cvg at 7:00pm tomorrow night. I will confirm for you later. We would love to have you there!

Please praise the Lord with us for He is a great and mighty God capable of softening hard hearts, rescuing us from a life of sin and setting captives free! Jenny

Quick Update

Had 3 texts this morning when I woke up.
1. Made it to Embassy and got initial paperwork started. No promises from Embassy. They said it all depends on facial recognition software in Washington. They were headed to medicals at 9:15am. David asks to NOT stop praying boldly that this will happen today!
2. 12:45pm and medicals were done. Going to embassy
3. Were in traffic for over an hour and told it could be another hour. Embassy had asked them to make sure they are there by 2pm. (D typed this at 1:46pm). D asked for prayer for kids. They were hot and tired!
4. Praise God! They made it to Embassy by 2pm.

That's it for now. You can't take any electronics in the Embassy. So far, so good! I guess right now we can be praying for that facial recognition software and the people working at Embassy. Thank you for your prayers! Love, Jenny

We are in Kiev!

Answered prayers!

God has again shown Himself to be worthy of our praise!

In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12

I woke this morning comforted by the awesome knowledge that we were covered in so much prayer. In the past 24 hours I have heard from so many people (lots who I don’t know) that were encouraging us through emails, texts, and facebook postings sharing the news that they were praying for us. I can’t tell you how much all the prayers and encouragement has meant, but the last 24 hours have been really special.

I was sharing with Jenny yesterday afternoon (morning for ya’ll) during my lowest/weakest moments here yet, that I was sure I was in the “right” place spiritually but I felt like Job (I was careful to make too close a comparison) and that I couldn’t figure out what God wanted me to be doing. I was truly a broken man. I think she could hear it in my voice and maybe see it in my face while we Skyped.

Shortly after we finished our conversation, I started getting text after text and I knew that people were lifting us up in prayer. I could feel it. When I finally had a chance to read the blog before going to bed, there were more comments and prayers and scriptures. When I checked email, even more prayers and encouragement and this morning, even more. I was a new man delivered through your prayers.

After doing my quite time and “Experiencing God” Bible study, getting my shower and making sure everything was ready to go just in case we got the passports, I went upstairs to see about the kids at 7:30ish. Alona and Natasha were awake and watching TV in bed while Maks was still asleep. I told them I would be back in a few minutes and we would have to get ready in case we needed to go.

At 9:30, I called Anna to ask for an update and she told me that the director had told her this morning that he was checking on the passports and would call her back. “I can handle that” I thought and told myself to not be held a prisoner by the passports and told the kids at 11am we were going to the library and then to lunch. Just then, the door opens from the third floor and Anna and Kostya told me that they received a call from the director and he asked them to come to his office. They told me that’s all they knew and would be back as soon as they could. At 11:45ish they returned with the 3 passports. We quickly finished packing and got in the car.

The kids did great during the 4 and a half hour drive from Khelm to Kiev and we arrived at out apartment around 5pm, I got a load of laundry quickly started so we will have some clean clothes to wear, and then we went across the street and got groceries so we could eat dinner in the apartment. What a shame though because I could smell the McDonald’s that’s only a few blocks away. After dinner, we walked and got ice cream and then took baths, watched some TV and to bed.

Tomorrow we will be very busy. Kostya is picking us up at 8am and taking us to the US Embassy where we will get the paperwork started for the visas. From there we will go to the hospital and get the medicals done and then back to the Embassy to finish the paperwork on the visas. I’ve got some healthy and unhealthy food ready in case we don’t have time to stop and eat.

God willing, this could be one of the last posts from Ukraine. If we get the visas tomorrow afternoon, I will be returning the wireless internet modem I have been using to connect to the web and will not have it tomorrow night or Saturday morning. Words cannot express enough what an awesome journey this has been for me. Tomorrow will mark 5 full weeks on this trip, the last 3 without Jenny to experience it alongside me.

Tomorrow, I will also finish week 8 of 12 in the “Experiencing God” Bible study I’ve referenced a number of times in previous posts. The general purpose or theme of study is to help you develop or grow in your personal relationship with God so that you are experiencing Him in your life minute by minute. God has amazed me how our journey to adopt Maks, Alona, and Natasha has mirrored my journey towards experiencing God. The study has provided me strength and great encouragement to me during my stay in Ukraine.

I wrote earlier about the strength and encouragement I received from so many people praying for us and how awesome and humbling it is. We have received hundreds of emails, comments to the posts, facebook dialogues, and texts. All of them have a very special place in my heart. It is indescribable how it has made me feel. Everyone word carried so much meaning.

I have also found strength and encouragement from my beautiful bride, Jenny and my six children (that’s still hard to write), Keely, Maks, Alona, Max, Isabelle, and Natasha. Getting to spend the first two weeks here with Jenny was great. It wasn’t the “honeymoon” we never took, but for me it was the single most significant period in our lives together so far. I have a deeper love for her today than ever before. God has truly blessed me in my marriage to her. She is an incredible wife and mother and more importantly, a follower of Christ. I am also so proud of my six children. For Keely, Max and Isabelle at home, thanks for all your prayers and encouraging conversations on Skype. I am so proud of you and can’t wait to see you. For Maks, Alona, and Natasha, thanks for all the very special memories that will never be recreated. You have been a joy to spend these 3 weeks with.

Greater than all the support and encouragement I received from friends and family through emails, comments to posts, facebook dialogues, texts, and Skype, has been God and His Word. I have truly “experienced God” throughout His rescue of these three children. God has revealed Himself to me and the world in so many incredible ways. God had a plan; to rescue Maks, Alona and Natasha, from a life as orphans and He accomplished that plan by using the Borden family with the help and support of some many other people. God is good and worthy of my praise!

In closing (at least for this post), I ask for your prayers regarding the completion of the medicals and visas by close of business Friday, May 29, 2009. I ask for your prayers for both selfish reasons and possible eternal ones. Selfishly, I want to come home and unite our family and that will happen. The possible eternal reasons are far more important right now. I have been told by every member of the team that getting this done is VERY unlikely and to not buy plane tickets for a Saturday departure. We were also told by the team numerous other times that certain events were very unlikely to occur in the timeline and God showed up and accomplished them. You see, there are eyes watching and ears listening and hearts open to what God has been doing in His rescue of Maks, Alona and Natasha. I told you about a conversation I had with Anna regarding her comments about “believing God, but not the way I do” and asking then for your prayers about how I might be able to witness to her (and thank you for those). Other than me giving praise and thanks to all God has done including the delivery of the passports today, I’ve not done much, but believe there is still a chance. In the “Experiencing God” study, it talks about encounters with God are God-sized saying “The only way people will know what God is like is to see Him at work in their world” it goes on to say “The assignments God gave in the Bible were always God-sized. They were always beyond what people could do in their own strength because He wanted to demonstrate His nature, His strength, His provision, and His love to His people and to watching world. That is the only way the world will come to know Him”.

God’s rescue of Maks, Alona, and Natasha is certainly God-sized and could not have been accomplished by man alone and it is taking place right in the middle of “their” world. It’s a world that is built on distrust, deceit, greed, and darkness. I believe God has opened “their” eyes, ears, and hearts through His power to rescue these three children. I said my good-byes to Anna this afternoon in case I don’t see her again. I have her email address and will stay in touch with her and will witness to her as the spirit leads, but wouldn’t it be awesome if I had one more chance to witness to Anna and the team about His greatness by praising Him for getting the medicals and visas completed in one business day? Please don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything that will happen that will diminish in my eyes, ears and heart what I have seen God do if we don’t get the medicals and visas tomorrow; but it might just open their’s a little more in “their” in world.

Well the next step in the journey will start again for me in a litte over four and a half hours when my alarm goes off. Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragement!

God willing, I look forward to seeing many of you very soon at home. “We’ll see!”

"For He will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence for their lives are precious in His sight." Psalm 72:12

Blessings <><,

David

Passports are in my hands!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!

It's 11:47am and Anna just returned with passports and we are rushing to get in the car to Kiev. Now I'm praying that we have safe travels and get to Kiev in time to do medicals done.

Blessings <><,
David

Thursday morning @ 8:45am

We are up are ready to go get those passports should they come. While I had a few minutes, I thought I would post a few pictures form the last few days.

BTW - I did get to sleep before 11pm and didn't get up until 6:30am. Thank you all for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated and felt.


a message of love by Alona. It says "I love Jeeny and Devd" in the heart and there is a piece of candy next to it
sidewalk chaulk
Ukrainian Indians performing on the street
playing in a pile of sand outside apartment
Natasha on swings at the large park
at large park with Julia
Alona and Julia
Maks, Natasha, and Julia at restaurant
kids break dancing on street
kids at apartment

As David is sleeping...

at least I'm praying David is going to be sleeping shortly. I just skyped with David. The kids were watching a little television, and then David was going to get them a snack and put them to bed (10pm their time). If you know David, you know he's already got a schedule going for those kids ;)!

David is physically tired as I'm sure you can imagine taking care of our three new children, and is emotionally tired waiting to come home. As we have clearly seen, he can't trust what he is being told as far as when these passports come. We do trust in God though! To remember all He has done for us, the great things He has done for us, we know He is still in control. When the kids go to bed, David is going to go ahead and try to get to sleep versus blogging and facebooking.

He is weary, but wants me to let you know that God is sustaining him through the comments, texts, emails and prayers. He also said there are still many beautiful moments with the kids, and he's getting some great pictures.

We are so thankful for you all. God is great, and know that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. Oh how important it is to know Jesus not just by name but by close, personal relationship so that when you are up you learn how to praise and cling to Him so that when you are low you know how to praise and cling to Him.

Please continue to pray in boldness for those passports to come immediately! Love, Jenny

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wed. 5/27 @ 2:00pm Khelm time

Please continue to pray for passports! It's 20pm here in Khelm and we still don't have passports. I called Anna at 11am after not having heard from her and asked "when are the passports going to be here?" She said that she spoke to the guy and he said that they weren't here. She told me that when she knew something she would call. At 1:45pm I called her again and tried to push her for more info. I didn't get anything out of her. I have called one of the team leaders in Kiev and am waiting for her to return my call.

I'll try to update everyone again later today.

Blessings <><,

David

Tuesday

I want to thank everyone who is praying for us as well as the emails, facebook comments, and comments to the posts, etc. They all bring me lots of encouragement and are cherished!

The days are going by rather quickly now that I am a “stay at home away from home dad”. We had a good day despite finding out at 10:30 that our.

At around 9am I got my shower then got the kids ready to go to the park and an early lunch so we could be back by noon to meet Kostya and Anna. Before we headed out the door, I called Kostya to ask when they would be arriving and he told me that they had spoken to the director of passports here in Khelm and he said they were in Kiev and would be in Khelm on Wednesday morning. “Unbelievable” I thought. I really would do as well to not even ask! I told the kids that we weren’t going to get the passports today and Maks said “maybe tomorrow, pop?” There are doing great with all this waiting and uncertainty.
We headed to the park and on the way, Maks asked if they could drive the small battery powered cars they rode the first day they visited with me. Sure I said and they took off running. After the cars, we walked to the park where they went straight for the swings! From the swings, they went for the merry go round and just as they got on, a 2-3 year old with her mother walked up and wanted on. I got Maks’ attention and motioned to go slow because of the little one. He understood and did a good job to keep it slow. When the little girl got off, I told him he could “go fast!” And they did. So fast in fact that after about 5 minutes, Maks was stopping it and got off telling me he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go to doma (house). I asked the girls to come over and explained that we needed to go. Since Maks didn’t feel well, we weren’t going to be able to out to lunch and we didn’t have much to eat so I asked Maks if he could make it through a quick stop at the grocery and he agreed. We hurried through picking up 2 couple of tomatoes, a few apples, a bunch of bananas (the really small ones – I don’t think I had ever had them before, but they are pretty good), a few pears, some juice, Coke Light, dried fish (this time) some Ramon noodle soup packages, chips, bread, gum, peanuts in the shell and sunflower seeds. By the time we were done, Maks was done.

When we got back, Maks lay down and I fixed lunch for the girls. They had a whole hodge podge of stuff we had just bought. After lunch, I went downstairs and the girls went in their room to watch TV with Maks. When I came back up, Maks and Natasha were asleep. I wanted to do my Experiencing God Bible study so I invited Alona to go outside with me and suggested she could work on one of the “workbooks” we had brought with us. They have math, spelling, and readings activities in them. We had a good hour or so together and even got to Skype with Jenny for a few minutes then Natasha game out.

This is going to sound crazy, but its 12:30am again and at the pace I’m typing this it will be 2:00am before I’m finished so I’m going to quickly wrap it up.
Maks got up around 3pm and felt a little better. We had dinner at 5pm. At 6:30 they started getting their baths which are getting longer and longer each time! At 7pm, Tatiana’s husband (I think it’s Antonio) came up and asked us to come downstairs. We went and he had prepared a very nice dinner of roasted chicken, potatoes au gratin, fresh tomatoes, and cucumber. It was all on a tray ready for us to carry up. It was a very nice gesture and a very good meal. Maybe the best meal I’ve had while I’ve been here! The kids didn’t eat much of it so I enjoyed their leftovers. We watched more TV and at 9:45pm we sang songs, said a prayer, and light out. I skyped with Jenny and the kids for a while and then tried to get things packed back up in case we are going to Kiev tomorrow.

Anna and Kostya are here and they are supposed to call at 9am to check on the passports. Please pray that God’s will be done regarding them.

Sorry no pictures for the 2nd day in a row. We’ve taken some, but by the time I’ve started posting, it’s late and the connection is very slow and it takes forever to upload them.

Blessings <><,
David

Memorial Day!

It’s not Memerial Day here in Khelm, but I did my best to enjoy the holiday from miles away!

Quick post tonight since it’s 12:30am and I need to get some sleep. Please continue to pray for Gods’ will to be done with reagrds to the passports. I spoke to Koysta late tonight and it appears that the passports won’t arrive before noon. We will call again tomorrow shortly after noon and check on the status.

The kids slept until around 7:30 which was nice. I wasn’t sure what to expect. At around 8:00 I asked if they were hungry and wanted to eat something. Now yesterday (actually, Sunday since it’s Tuesday) we did pretty ggod about getting groceries excpet I forgot about breakfast. The choices most suitable for breakfast that I had was oatmeal and fruit. I asked if they like oatmeal and everyone said yes. The only one to eat it was me! Jenny, don’t stock up on oatmeal.

After breakfast, we watched some TV and called Julia (a young lady who helps teach some of the children at the orphange English) to see if she wanted to meet us at the park and have lunch with us. As it turned out, it was her day off (she is an English teacher at the local university) and she would love to join us. So we met here at around 11:00, played at the park and had lunch at a really nice café. It was nice going somewhere different and having someone translate the menu.

After lunch, Julia suggested that we might go to a very large park just a few bus stops away. “A bus ride” I thought. Well how bad could it be, I’m with a local person who does this all the time – right? Actually it was fine, thanks to Julia knowing which of the 100 buses that stop to drop off and pick up passengers every minute to get on and where to get off.

The park was very large and lots to offer. There were lots of different playgounds and paved walking paths. There was even an area where they had lots of swans and in a in a big round cage like at a zoo were two bears. There was even area ike Coney Island in Cincinnati with carnival rides. The kids got to choose one thing they wanted to do and Natasha choose the swings and Maks and Alona choose to jump on a big inflatable.

At around 4:30pm, we headed back to the apartment and watched some TV and had a snack. At around 6pm, I fixed some dinner for them with Maks help cleaning the fish. They had fish, cucumbers, bread, cheese, canadian bacon (something like it) apples, and chips. I had a piece of bread, and a few slices of apple. (A little later I had a Slim Fast bar.)

After dinner the kids got baths and I painted the girls fingernails and watch TV. At arounf 9:45pm, we sang songs and I prayed, then said good-night.

It was a long but fun day. The kids are doing really well. I’m enjoying being with them.

Blessings <><,

David

Monday morning

It's 7:30am here in Khelm and the Lord woke me up at 6am. A little different from the past many days, but He blessed me with a good night's rest. I just went upstairs to check on the kids, and they are still sleeping.

Getting up early today has allowed me to skype with Jenny and say hi to Keely (it was only 11pm their time). The connection was pretty good which makes it a lot easier to talk and visit. I got to hear all about their afternoon and evening. They were really busy and had just finished watching Mall Cop and Max and Iz had just gone to bed.

Last evening and night went really well. After we got home from the park, I fixed dinner for them that consisted of Ramon (sp) type noodle soup, sliced cumcumber, bread, and fresh sardines (or some kind of small fish.) When we were in the soup asile, I pointed to some of the soups and Maks and Alona pointed to those. I figured easy enough. Boil some water in the microwave and whala - soup. Maks choose a seafood flavor (the package had a picture of shrimp) and I'm not sure what the girls had. Maks was the one eating the fish mostly. Alona said she would eat more today. Watching them tear the heads off and "cleaning" them out with their fingers and flicking the "junk" in the trash and then eating them is interesting to say the least. Alona did rinse her's off in the sink!

After dinner it was bath time which all three were really excited about. While Maks got his, the girls did a great job cleaning up the kitchen. Before I knew it, all the dishes were washed and put away (I'm guessing rinsed out), the table whiped off, and the floor swept. They were so proud to show me what a great job they had done. Natasha was next in the shower. I think this was a new experience for her and Alona was being the sweet big sister helping. Then Alona's turn. When the girls were out and dried off, they took turns sharing the blow dryer while Maks watched TV. They have satelite in their room and Maks has found the JETEX channel. While they were busy, I started a load of laundry and spent some time on the computer. At around 9:30the laundry was done and it was time to say good night. We sang the songs (Itsy bitsy spider and Jesus Love Me)that we sang last summer and said our prayers and light outs. At around 10:15, I went back up to check on them and they were all asleep.

I think I hear them now! I better go check on them. I hope everyone enjoys their holiday. Eat a hotdop for me. Then again, don't. I had enough hotdogs last summer. maybe a hamburger.

Please continue to pray for passports.

Blessings <><,
David

Sunday afternoon

It has been quite a six hours since I posted at 10am. As I’m heading out the door at 11am I ran into Kostya and Anna heading out too. I greet them good-morning and their response wasn’t very cheerful. Kostya even said some like “no not really”. I asked if he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t get anything out of him. We walked on to the car, got in, and began to drive away. Just a few feet away from the door, we stop and Anna get’s out. While she was out of the car, Kostya told me that Anna’s grandmother had died. Anna returned to the car and I expressed my sorrow and we began to drive.

Just as I am beginning to think about what the impact of this news will have on the process, Kostya tells me that that they were thinking that they could take me to get the kids, we could gather up there last few things, say their good-byes and stay with me at Tatiana’s until we leave for Kiev, hopefully Tuesday if the passports come. Needless to say, I’m a little lost for words. I wasn’t ready to keep the kids with me until Tuesday (hopefully) and what about the passports on Monday?

I tried to formulate my thoughts, and while I was doing so, Kostya continues saying that they are going to be heading to Knickalive (sp) (their hometown) as soon as they bring us back to Tatiana’s and will be back late Monday night. I’m trying really hard to process all that information and I must admit it’s hard. I’m trying to be respectful of the pain and grief Anna and Kostya are going through and remind myself just an hour ago I was writing about letting God be in control of the plans.

On the way to get the kids, I ask if there is anyone else here that could facilitate the completion of the passports should they come on Monday and they told me that they won’t be coming because the passport offices all across Ukraine are not open on Mondays. They are only open Tuesdays thru Saturdays. That was new news. Now I’m thinking again about the expediting fee…let it go I tell myself. I can come back to address that issue at a more appropriate time.

We continue to drive and I’m continuing to try to come up with a better plan and don’t. It is what it is and I need to focus on the kids and the news they are about to get that they need to gather up their last few things and say good-bye. Not exactly what I had envisioned or even described to them how we would be leaving.

When we arrive, Kostya shared the news with them and they are excited and ran inside to get their things. I followed along and on the way the kids were stopping and telling everyone. Before long I think everyone had heard the news. We quickly gather the rest of their things and headed back downstairs and towards the doors where adults and children had gather to say good-bye. So far so good I thought. Everyone is holding it together pretty well. Then, one of the teachers got down on her knees and started talking to the children and they started to cry. Then other teachers said their good-byes and more crying. Then other children said their good-byes and more crying. It was very difficult for everyone. I can’t imagine what was going on in Maks, Alona, and Natasha’s hearts and minds; much less the caregivers and the children, that moments later would be going back to what they were doing minutes before. As we got in the car and pulled away, I hit me that 45 minutes earlier I was mourning the death of Anna’s grandmother and now celebrating this new life for Maks, Alona and Natasha.

We arrived at Tatiana’s around noon, put away their things, and were offered to use the “Arabian” room where Anna and Kostya had been staying. Tatiana took us upstairs and helped the kids get settled in to their room. There is a queen bed and a sleeper sofa that will work out great for them. After we unpacked some clothes, we went to Winnie the Pooh to eat and from there we went to the grocery store to buy some food for the next couple of days. I don’t think we could all survive on oatmeal, bars, and Coke Light. At the store, everyone did great taking turns pushing the buggy and showing me everything they wanted. Maks was particularly helpful in telling me what they liked and didn’t like. We bought from bananas, apples, oranges, cucumbers, some salami and cheese slices, some fresh sardines, some crackers, some chips, some soup, some bread, juices, and water.

From the grocery, we came back to Tatiana’s and have been watching TV, coloring, and have had a snack of apples, bananas and crackers. Alona and Natasha found a broom on the porch and have cleaned everything up!

We are getting ready to head to the park, then dinner, then baths and to bed! Don’t know if I’ll have a chance to post again tonight or not! Please pray that the passports arrive on Tuesday so we can move to the next step.

Blessings <><,
David


Leaving!

Sunday morning

Good morning! It’s 10am here on Sunday morning and I wanted to share with you a few things that God and the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart this morning as I have been praying, reading Hiw Word, and worshipping Him through music.

First and foremost, I continue to give praise to our King for everything He has done to “expedite” the resuce of Maks, Alona and Natasha through adoption into the Borden family! On Monday, May 18, 2009 we received the paperwork officially approving the adodtion and no one can ever change that!

I spent most of yesterday tring to not be frustrated by the fact that we paid an “expediting fee” for passports that were supposed to be here “late Friday, Saturday morning at the latest” and that not occuring. Adding fuel to the fire was the lack of communication about the process. In my time thinking, grumbling, fussing, and praying about it, I wondered and questioned if I or “man” got in God’s way.

You see, God has a plan and ultimately His plan will prevail, but because God gave man the ability to make choices, man can get in His way. For the most part, my (and I believe Jenny’s) approach has been to focus on God’s will being done, not ours. We’ve tried to make choices based on God’s leading and calling and not our own and we’ve witness how wonderfully and perfectly He has worked His plan. All along the way, I prayed step by step, and quite frankly, most anytime I would try and plan the “future” it only delayed the the process or at the least got in the way of God.

I’ve wondered the past few days if my choices to try and control the process got in the way of God’s plan. Was it God’s plan for me to pay the “expediting” fee and go home sooner than later. Did my decisions show God lack of trust, belief, faith to others? Has Anna seen my reaction as frustrating and selfish and “worldy” and caused her to question my faith in God that I’ve said is awesome? Did the choices I made, get in the way of God’s plans?

I’m not sure of the answers, but I’m sure of this. I’ve gone to the foot of the cross and asked God’s foregiveness and He has delivered me from this burden.

Hebrews 12:1-13
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Father, I thank you for the ability you gave me to make choices and decisions. I pray Father, that I make them following the urging of the Holy Spirit so that I don't get in the way of You will being done. Amen.

Blessings <><,
David

Saturday, 24hrs later

First things first – it’s 7pm and I still don’t have the children’s passports. I just spoke to Anna and she told me that she has left a number of messages with the director of the passport office and he has not returned her calls. Please continue to pray that the passports will come soon.


It’s was a little cooler today because of a light wind that was blowing clouds across the sun. It was one of those days where pants were a little too much and shorts weren’t quite enough. Because I did laundry today, I opted for jeans so I could try and make it without having to wash my shorts again None the less, it was very pleasant!

I got up around 8am, went for a run (I took a little different route to see some different scenery), got my shower, walked to the grocery store (had to pick up my 2 day supply of Coke Light and a few other things) then went on a mission to find Natasha a small backpack that she could use to keep up with some things on the plane ride home.

When I was returning from the grocery, I noticed that there were some people starting to set up some booths along the main street, a few steps from where I’m staying. There are normally a few booths scattered about, but I could tell this was going to be BIG. After I dropped off my groceries, I hit the streets. As it turned out, the street fair was sort of a local artist and craft show. There are some very pretty things for sale. I came across an artist who was displaying her work and it was different than anything I had seen before. She created pictures of the Ukraine countryside using thread. She “stitched” the landscape using different types and colors of threads. Anyway, I liked them and did my best to tell the artist that I thought her art was pretty. Before I moved on, she showed me a brochure of her gallery and other work. She was very pleasant. I continued to browse the street and headed to the marketplace where I’ve been a few times. It’s not far from my apartment.

As I walked down the far right side of the market street I was keeping my eyes open for a backpack that might work. Unfortunately I didn’t see any but as I approached the end of the street, I noticed a lot of activity on the cross street and beyond. I made a right and walked down the street passing store/market/booth after booth. This was new territory, for sure. As I approached the end of the block, I crossed the street and headed back. Not too far, I noticed a gated entrance to a whole different group of stores/markets/booths. As I entered, I could tell them place was big and as it turned out it covered an entire city block which is about 1 square mile. The first area I came to was what I’ll call the garden and fresh market. It was all outdoors and you could find anything you want that had to do with plants (household and garden), fresh fruit, vegetables, all kind of grains, seeds, flour, wheat, mill, etc. This place was huge and people buying and selling stuff everywhere. Amazingly though it was clean and very well organized. As I approached the far side of the garden and fresh market (about the size of a football field) I noticed a large building that you accessed by climbing about 12 steps. People were coming and going so I went in. This building was also huge. It was round and had a dome roof that had lots of skylights. It was probably 200 ft. in diameter. This room I’ll call the poultry and seafood market. I’ve never seen anything like it. The closest thing I could describe it as would be Pike St. Market in Seattle or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco (places I’ve never been but has seen on TV). If you wanted anything that was poultry (chicken, duck, goose, or anything else that quacks) or anything that comes from the water that is edible, this room had it. Everything was dead but you could buy the product in all stages of processing. If you wanted a whole fish, you could buy it. If you wanted a duck freshly killed, you could buy it. If you wanted a chicken breast or thigh, you could get it. The people behind the counters were handling all this food without cloves on and then would put it out on the counters for the customers to purchase. I saw all kinds of people picking the raw food up, inspecting it, and putting it back down; bare handed. Occasionally there was some product on ice or in refrigerator cases, but for the most part it was out in the fresh air.

This place was wild and at the same time exciting. By now, I’m starting to realize that I’ve never seen anything like this and may never get to again so keep soaking it in. I probably walked around this room for 10-15 minutes just looking and seeing things that amazed me. I’m sure I stood out like a sore thumb, but everyone was very friendly just smiling at me. They might have been as amazed at me as I was at them.

So after 15 or minutes, I notice an exit/entrance that led into a courtyard kind of space. I went through it to find more people buying and selling stuff. I figured out pretty quickly that this room was the center to 3 of the large dome buildings. I had 2 more to walk through. I thought. I wondered what’s in the other ones.

Building number 2 was the beef and pork room. This room was the same size as building #1 but in place of poultry and seafood, beef and pork. Again, if you could imagine any part of these animals for sale, you could see it and buy it if you so desired. By the way they had the “parts” displayed, I think people did! This place was a live butcher store. Lots of crazy things I saw in this room and to be sensitive to the readers’ stomachs, I just share one. No I won’t. I leave it up to your imagination. Ask me about it later and I’ll tell you.

I left building 2 and went back through the courtyard to get to building #3. It’s also the same size as buildings 2 and 3 and it was the most pleasant. This was the dairy and bakery room. Any and everything that had to do with dairy and bakery was in there. Things you could buy in the dairy section included eggs (the chickens were probably outside laying them) butter, cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, feta cheese, etc. And what was crazy, people were making all of it right there and were offering samples if you wanted. Over in the bakery area, there were all kinds of breads, cakes, cookies, etc. that people were baking and selling.

I saw a door that led outside so I headed towards it and after walking down some steps, I found myself on the opposite side of the buildings from where I entered off the garden and fresh market. This outdoor area I’ll call the grocery store. This is where the non-perishable food and items were sold. Literally hundreds of small stores/markets/booths were in this area. I spotted a Barbie backpack and ask how much it was. It was $10. Not bad I thought, but I still had the rest of the market street to look through before I could buy it. I might just find a better one at a better price, so I headed out and back to the market street. I walked down the street heading back towards my apartment and saw the exact Barbie backpack I saw earlier. I asked the lady how much it was and it was $10. Alright I thought. At least I don’t have to walk back down to the other booth, but there are a few more booths to see on this street first. I finished looking and headed back to the last booth to have one. When I got there, I asked the lady to get it down and got out my $10 in Ukraine money and she told me it was more. I tried to explain that she told me it was $10 and that I was going to buy it from another lady if she didn’t sell it to me for $10. I guess she didn’t want to sell it for $10 because she put it back up and I went back and bought it from the first lady. I think she was glad I came back. She smiled a lot. While I was back in that market place, I bought the kids a big bag of fresh cherries. They had told me they liked them so I thought they would enjoy them. I think I got 5 pounds or so for $4. I don’t know – it was a bunch of cherries!

After all that shopping I was tried so I headed back to the apartment, ate a pack of crackers for lunch and headed off to see the kids. When I first got there, they spotted the cherries. They crabbed them from my hand, went to a table, sat down and ate everyone one of them in minutes. I guess they really do like them. The few I had were very good. After the cherries, we went outside and played for a while. The rain shower popped up and sent us inside where we watched TV for a while. A couple of the older children were watching the Ukraine version of “So you thing you have talent”. It really was like the American show. I could at least understand what was going on even though I couldn’t understand what they were saying. About ½ hour later, the rain stopped and we went back outside and played until Kostya came to pick me up.

After I got home, I skyped with Jenny, Keely, and Iz. Max was at the Nicholas’; he had spent the night there. Iz’s kindergarten graduation was last night and I was sad I missed that. Tonya went and videotaped it for me. I can’t wait to see it. After talking to home, I went to eat at Demitree’s. It was their turn! I had Caesar salad and chicken on a stick with 6 French fries and 1 piece of flat bread cut into 6 triangles. From dinner I came back here to call Anna and got the news – actually no news.

Later, I’ll probably watch some of the Seinfeld DVD’s we brought and go to sleep. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, the Lord’s Day. God willing, I plan to have the kids over here for most of the day. We may catch the movie “Night at the Museum 2”. We’ll see!

Please continue to pray for the passports to come. We move to the next step without them! Also, please pray for Jenny as she shares with the 2-4 graders (I think) at Calvary Baptist Church tomorrow some of the ways God has blessed us on His journey to rescue Maks, Alona

Blessings <><,
David

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:19

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16

Summon your power, O God ; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before. Psalm 68:28

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:30

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

BTW - you can click on the image and it will enlarge in a new window, You have to hit your back button to return.

Maks with cherry earings
Natasha acting silly
Alona with cherry lipstick
Kids eating cherries
dairy room
one of the counters in the beef and pork room
one of the butcher blocks behind the a counter in the beef and pork room
one of the counters in the poultry and seafood room
bags of grains, seeds, etc.
fresh market
display of artists' work
picture of Ukraine countryside done with thread

Still waiting for passports

It’s 8pm and I just passed Anna in the foyer and asked her if she had any news about the passports and she said she was still waiting on a call. So, I’m still praying that God’s will be done in getting the passports completed as quickly as possible.

I also found out this morning when I called the US Embassy about the price for Visas, that they are observing the US holiday, Memorial Day, on Monday and would be closed. They will reopen on Tuesday at 8:30am.

I’m disappointed in both not having the passports and the Embassy being closed, but I know God’s plan will prevail. I also know that worrying about it or even trying to plan the future won’t help. It’s hard though!


Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2


I stayed up late last night doing some work, looking at facebook, exchanged some emails, and even skyped with my boss. I slept pretty well though and got up around 8. I went for a run (it’s really more like a jog), got my shower, did my bible study, read some, talked to Jenny, Max and Isabelle, and before I knew it, it was time to go see the kids.

On the way, Anna said that because we might be leaving on the weekend and Oksana wouldn’t be working, we needed to sign some documents. We arrived and somehow, which seems to happen more times than not, the kids come to greet us. It’s still a big reunion which makes me feel great! We went upstairs to Oksana’s office and started sign away. All three children were in the office and everyone was talking except for me of course. I kept asking Maks to translate but never did get anything out of him. One thing I picked up on was that Oskana was telling the kids good-bye. Everyone did pretty well. There weren’t any tears, but I could tell they were holding them back. She was so gracious in letting them each pick out 2 brand news books from a cabinet she had in her office. The children were so excited to get to choose and thanked her many times. I could tell that she really cares for them. After about 30 minutes, I said my good-byes and thanked her for caring for all the children and told her we had her email address and we would send pictures very soon and often.

As we left her office, Maks and Alona told me that they had found more stuff that they wanted to take to America so we headed back towards their rooms. They handed me more books, Barbie dolls, and clothes. Asked about their backpacks and Alona went and got hers that she had brought back last summer and started filling it up with more stuff. I asked Maks about his and he took me to a closet where he climbed up the shelves to try and find it. After he didn’t see it, he went and asked the teacher if he could take one of the groups because he needed one for the plane. The teacher had been watching all this go on and was helping when she could. She was so sweet to help him find one that would work and said he could have it. Alona had handed me a collage of pictures we had mailed her months ago of last year’s visit to put in the bag going home. I showed it to the teacher trying to explain that Alona had a brother and 2 sisters in America. She nodded and walked off. A few minutes later, she came back and took out of her purse 2 pictures that one of the children had given her of our family (minus Natasha) that was taken last summer. I could tell that it was something special for her that the kids had given those pictures to her.
We played outside, and before long, Alona told me that a lot of the children from the orphanage where going to a music concert (Anna helped translate) and that she wanted to know if I minded. Certainly not I told her and encouraged her to have a great time. I told her we would see each other again tomorrow. We kissed and she ran off! I was encouraged Maks and Natasha to go, but both said no. We played a little longer and then I left.

I had dinner at Lemon and ventured out a bit and ordered a Caesar salad and a mushroom and cheese calzone. I have had the salad probably a dozen times but a first for the calzone. It was very good. If I’m here too many more days, I can add it to my routine. We’ll see!

God willing, I hope to see the kids tomorrow at the orphanage and then have them here on Sunday getting ready to go to Kiev.
Please continue to pray for those passports. We can’t do anything with regards to the next steps without them.
Blessings <><,
David


Oksana with Maks, Alona, and Natasha
Maks and Teacher. She is writing a note in a book Maks is bringing home
Maks, Natahsa, teacher and Alousha

Moving along!

Today was yet another beautiful day (as so many have been). It was probably the warmest day so far with temps reaching into the 80's. Today was also another day where God moved things along. If you remember from yesterday's post (and today's won't be as long - I'm tired and it's already 7:20pm here) Anna was to meet with the director of passports to discuss the details in person.

Well without too much for me to do today except pray and visit with the kids around 2pm, I slept in a bit getting up around 9am. I can hear it now...it must be nice! I would trade places withone who thinks that, right now! As I headed out for a run at 10am, I noticed Kostya's car in the parking area and thought that they must already be back. They must not have any news though because thy didn't call. When I got back around 11am the car was gone. I showered, did my Bible study, ate a bar for lunch and skyped with Jenny and the kids at 1:40pm for a few minutes. A few minutes before 2pm, Anna called and said they were waiting on me out front to take me to see the kids. When I got in the car and asked if she had any news, she said that she had not seen the director as planned this morning but hoped to see him at 2pm. We dropped her off at his office on the way to see the kids and she told me she would call if she had any news.

The afternoon with the kids went great. Everyday they seem to be a little less attached to me and playing so well with each other. The girls played on some swings and Maks rode an old 10 speed bike that one of the workers had there. It was too big for him, but he didn't care! We shared some sunflower seeds, candy and gum as usual. At one point, Maks was over in a differnt play area talking to a middle age man that I've been seeing around the property the last few weeks. I'm not surre but I think he might be some sort of security. I know that they had a number of teenagers coming around but since he has been there, it's stopped. Anyway, I look over the hedge of bushes and I see Maks and this man feeding sunflower seeds to the pigeons (they are everywhere). No big I thought until I saw one of them jump up in Maks hand and he stands up with the bird perched on his hand. Now if seen that in bird shows before, biut not on a playground and certainly not with dirty birds, and furthermore, not my son. You know what though, I took a picture and told Makas how neat it was that he could do it and snapped a few pictures! He was so proud that when ever she saw someone the rest of the day, he would tell them all about it and show them the pictures. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are going to be looking for pigeons in Independence to do this with, but here in his back yard, it was great.

Anna and Koysta show up around 4:15 while we were talking ot Jenny on the phone and told me that "we needed to talk". It seems as though we need to pay the director to expedite the passports. Now this wasn't new news, we had been told that this would probably happen, but I had been praying that the director might wave the fee. Anna told me the amount and told me that the director needed to know this afternoon at 5pm so he could make it happen. I agreed to the price and off we went to the directors office. On the way, I asked Anna what guarantee was there that he will do what we are paying for. She said that the man had a very good reputation and his word was very good - "but it's Ukraine and there are no guarantees". I asked what he promised he could do and she said that he will tell her exactly what he can do when she mets with him at 5pm. We arrived on time and Anna went inside to meet him. At 6pm, she comes out and said that he told her we should have the passports "late tomorrow (Friday), Saturday morning". She also told me that he just returned from a vacation to his home town in the southern part of Ukraine and came in to meet her though today was technically his last day of vacation.

So here is where we are. I am praising God for all He continues to do in providing for this adpotion. I'm thankful that the director was willing to come in on his last day of vacation to meet with Anna (Jenny said, of course he did, we just paid for that vacation)! And I'm thankful that if God wills, we will be home sometime Tuesday.

I will look forward to having the passports in hand so I can book the flights home. If we get the passports as planned, we will throw a little party for them at the orphanage on Sunday afternoon then I'll bring the kids back to the apartment with me to have some dinner and spend the night. We will get up around 2:30am on Monday morning and drive the 5hrs to Kiev so we can be at the hospital at 8am. At the hospital, they will recieve a physical and documentation of their condition of health that the US Embassy requires. I have been told not to worry, and it will only take about an hour. From there, we will go the the Embassy to start the process for their Visas and push them to have them completed by the end of the day. We will spend Monday night in Kiev and on Tuesday fly home.

BTW - the director told Anna that the "old" passports are no longer able to be processed regardless if you have them or not.

Prayer requests:
That the passports get completed by Saturday.
For Laurel, I've not heard any reports from her tests yesterday.

As always, thanks for all your prayers and encouraging comments.

Blessings <><,
David

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 9:23
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."


Maks with pigeon in hand
Maks on bike
Natasha on freshly painted playground
Alona on freshly painted playground
Natasha on freshly painted playground

Pictures first!

Here are a few pix from today. Maks and Alona having their photos taken for documents (I took Natasha's but I guess one of the kids deleted it), kids playing at a park near where we were waiting, and Alona playing beauty parlor in my apartment.

In case you can't wait - the children's passport documents were finsihed today at 4:30 and we were told they would be sent electronically to Kiev for processing this afternoon. The full story is below.








First, let me again thank everyone for their prayers. I know God is hearing and answering them based on what He is doing. I continue to give Him all the praise and glory!

After a good night’s rest, I woke to the alarm at 7:00am and snoozed a few times finally getting out of bed around 7:20. I didn’t have too many things to do before meeting Anna and Kostya at 8:45. After getting my shower, I took a load of laundry that I had done late last night (remember the washing machine is in the room with the shower) upstairs to hang them on the line. Then I ate a bar for breakfast, and started to get my backpack in order for the day. I put a few snacks in there, a Coke Light for later, my “Experiencing God” bible study, and the book I started reading yesterday; Five Love Languages for Children. I also put my money belt in there (because I thought I may need some cash to expedite the passports and didn’t want to have to undress to get it) and checked to make sure I had my passport. I looked for it in all the usual places and then in the most unusual places. (I’ve had it in about place you could think of these past 4 weeks). “Don’t panic!” I told myself. “Give it over to God; He will remind me where it is”. After a short prayer, God revealed that I had it in my cargo shorts pocket when I was in the registrar’s office yesterday. “Good” I thought, then not so good. I washed them last night. “It’s going to be OK” I told myself and prayed “God please take care of this”. I went upstairs, reached in a pocket, nothing, reached in another, and there it was! It felt wet and all balled up. “God, please take care of this” I prayed. I got it out, looked at it, “not too bad”, opened it up and noticed that the inside front cover that has all my information was intact and looked ok. Then I started unsticking the pages one by one, until I got to the end. Houston, we have a problem, The Ukraine stamp is gone. It’s washed away. “God, I have a new prayer request – please fix this problem. Amen”. I went downstairs and did my best to blow-dry it dry and headed out the door to meet Anna and Kostya.

“Good morning” I said with a smile on my face and received a friendly greeting in return. I told them what had happened and they said it should be ok. I trusted that statement since I had given it over to God, I moved away from that and I began praying that the I.D. numbers would be ready at 9am as we had been told they would be. “One step at a time” I told myself and right now, it’s about getting these kids their passports. I’ll worry about my passport later. We arrived at the office to pick up the I.D. numbers and Anna got out of the car and went inside. Kostya got on the phone with someone and I prayed for the I.D. numbers. Not too long after she left, Anna came out and said we got them. “Thank you God!” Step one complete!

We then drove to the Notary’s office (they told me yesterday that would be next in the process). Anna get’s out and goes in, Kostya gets his PS2 out (that’s a clue to me we may be a while), and I start to pray that the Notary will show favor on our request. (When we were there three weeks ago today, she did!) Then my phone rang and it was Illona, one of the team leaders in Kiev. She told me she had spoken to Kostya earlier and he had told her about my passport going through the wash. She then told me that she didn’t think it would be a problem. I would have plenty of documentation with me showing when I had arrived, what I was doing, etc. She also gave me the phone number of the US embassy and suggested I go ahead and call them to let them know what happened and ask if there is anything I needed to do. Just as I hung up, Laurel (our US adoption facilitator) called to say she was about to go to bed (11:30pm California time) to say that she would be praying that everything go according to God’s plan. That was cool knowing that people are praying for this process as they are going to bed while I’m already an hour into it. ***Please pray for Laurel. She is undergoing some test s at 7am (California time) on Wednesday morning for her gall bladder.*** Just after I finished talking to Laurel, Anna comes out and gets in the car. She starts talking to Kostya and it is pretty apparent that we are waiting. I start praying again! After about 20 minutes, Anna is quickly getting out of the car! I look out the window and see the notary lady coming down the sidewalk and Anna is hurrying to meet her. They greet at the door and go in. A few minutes later, Anna comes out, gets in the car and says we got it. “Thank you Jesus!” Step two complete!
On the way to the orphanage to pick up the director to head to the passport office (at least that’s where I think we are going based on schedule of events I had been told yesterday) I called the embassy and spoke to a very nice lady who told just what Illona had said. It should be a problem, but if I wanted to get an avid davit describing what happened and have it notarized , they would be happy to prepare one when I am there processing the kids paperwork to leave Ukraine. That was really good news and again, I lifted up praise to God! When we got to the Orphanage, Anna got out and I asked her if she needed me. She said know so I started to pray. After a few minutes I got out my “Experiencing God” workbook and began to read today’s lesson; Encounters with God Are God-Sized. The main message was about how God shows the world who He is by working through people doing only things that He can do. Working through people like Moses, Joshua, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as well as Peter and John. You know, doing things like parting the Red Sea, leading the Israelites across the Jordon River at flood stage, delivering three men from a fiery furnace, and healing a crippled man in the name of Jesus. God doing things only He can do through ordinary people. The writers of the study say “The only way people will know what God is like is to see Him at work in their world”. Hold that thought –I’ll come back to it later! The study goes on to say “The reason much of the world is not being attracted to Christ and to His church is that God’s people lack the faith to attempt things only God can do. If you or your church is not responding to God and attempting God-sized tasks, you are not exercising faith. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God’ (Heb. 11:6)” The topic of faith was the theme of yesterday’s study which also comes into play later in the day. The authors also say “Let the world watch God at work, and He will attract people to Himself. Let Christ be lifted up, not in words but in life. Let people see the difference the living Christ makes in a life, a family, or a church; that will affect how they respond to the gospel. When the world sees things happening through God’s people that cannot be explained except that God Himself has done them, the world will be drawn to such a God.”

Just as I finished the study, I looked up and here comes Alona, Natasha, Maks, Anna and Oksana, the orphanage director. It was great to see them all. The kids all looked great and before I know it, everyone is getting in the car. Anna told me that we were all going to take the kids to get their pictures taken and then to the passport office. Off we go! We get their pictured taken, developed, and off to the passport office. I’m trying my best to keep praying and praising God for all He is doing. Things are moving along without delay. We take a short drive and park in front of a bunch of building and Anna and Oksana get out and head down the street leaving Kostya and I with the three kids. They do great waiting in the car. They share my i-pod and i-phone to stay busy. After about 30 minutes, Natasha says “toilet”. I ask Kostya if there might be a place we could get a something to eat and drink and maybe use the restroom. He had got some coffee earlier from a little café so we went there. It was very nice. We got a carton of apple juice to share, some chips and three sandwiches for the kids. While we were eating, Kostya gets a call and then tells me that he is going to take Oksana back to the orphanage and will be back to meet us (myself and the kids) here at the café at 4pm. He said that Anna told him we were going to meet someone from the passport office at 4pm. I asked him if she said anything about getting the “old” form or if we were going to get the “new” form and he said he didn’t know. “OK God, you are in control and I trust you are working in all this”.

It was 12:30pm and I had 3.5 hours to kill with the kids so we walked to the park we played at on Saturday and had a great time. After the park, we walked to get ice cream and then to my apartment where they spoke to Jenny, Isabelle, and Keely and the phone. We all washed and scrubbed our hand really well while we were there and I took the old polish off the girls fingers telling them I would paint them later when we go to Kiev. All afternoon, Maks kept asking me if we were going to Kiev tonight. I kept telling him that “I’m praying for it but it’s up to God”. We walked back to the café and met Kostya and Anna around 3:45.

As soon as we got in the car, Maks starts talking to Anna and the only thing I can understand is “passports” and “Kiev”. When they finish, I ask Maks to try and tell me what they talked about in English. The only thing he could come up with was “I don’t know when.” I then asked Anna what was going on. She told me that earlier, she and Oksana met with a few people and a lady who was off work today was going to come in and meet with us to process the kid’s paperwork for their passports at 4pm. “That’s great news – praise God!” I said. Then I asked her if they were using the “old” forms (which remember takes only a day to process) or the “new” forms which we were told could get done in 3-4 days. She told me that she didn’t meet with the director of the passport office so she doesn’t know about the “old” forms yet. What we would be doing today would be for the “new” forms.

At 3:55pm we get out of the car and start walking. We go in one building to find out it’s the wrong one. Then we try another, and it’s wrong. Then Anna calls the lady and finds out where it is and tells me that it only a short walk and the lady is waiting for us. She also told me that the entire office that process requests for passports was closed today and that someone had called this lady to come in and open the office up to do this for us. She told me that the paperwork would be finished this afternoon and emailed to Kiev today! Praise! “God, how could I ask for more? Someone coming in to open up an office for us, how awesome is that”.

We found the building and her office. A very nice younger lady was sitting at a desk. Anna introduced everyone and one by one, the children had their pictures taken and pasted on an electronic document on her computer. I had to sign a few piece of paper, and in less than ½ hour we were out of there. On the way to the car, I was praising God for a great day. He provided so much to the process of getting these kids home.

As we are driving to the orphanage, (this is where the Bible study comes in) Anna turns around and says something like this…I believe in God, but not like you do. What I see God doing is a miracle. That entire office was closed and that lady came in to help you. There have been so many things like that. This whole adoption has been amazing. I was blown away to say the least. I prayed “OK God, help me here. What do I say?” I told her that indeed God has blessed us in so many ways. That He has heard the prayers of so many people and chosen to answer them to accomplish His plans. I also told her that when I think of miracles, I think of things that God has done through people like Moses parting the Red Sea, Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, and Peter and John healing a crippled man in the name of Jesus. A minute or so passed in slience, and I told her that it’s my faith that allows me to believe that if God can do all those things, he can certainly take care of the little details involved in this adoption.

Wow, what a day! God, thanks again for being all You are and for taking care of all the little details, You are truly awesome and I praise You!

OK, here is what’s next. Anna will be meeting with the director of the passport office at 9am on Thursday morning to discuss the details of when the passports will be back to Khelm. She will also be asking if he might have any “old” forms since she has not gotten to meet with him yet and was told to not discuss on the phone with him. We will hopefully know a little bit more about when we are headed to Kiev then coming home around lunch tomorrow.

Prayer requests –
1. Laurel as she undergoes testing for her gall bladder.
2. That the director of the passport office has 3 “old” forms that we could have and get processed by close of business on Thursday.
3. That if the “new” forms are going to be used, that Kiev processes them and send them back to Khelm without delay.
4. That God’s will be done.
5. That God continue to open the door for me to have more conversations with Anna about having a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.

Oh yeah, one more thing. The passport, it’s still drying…”we’ll see”!

Blessings <><,
David

No pictures, just another answered prayer

Today, God reveled Himself again in answering the prayers of so many. At 4pm today, we walked out to the registrar’s office in the kid’s birth city with the new birth certificates and other related paperwork! Praise God! It's a real blessing for me to be so close to His work here.

A quick recap - we left for the kid’s hometown this morning at about 8:20 and arrived at the registrar’s office around 10:50. Anna gets out of the car without saying anything in English and walks into a building. I put on my headphones and bury my head in a book my gently recommended I read "The five Love Languages of Children" that I started on the way. I figured that if Anna needed me, or needed to say something to me, she would have told me. I'm used to it by now - it's all part of the adventure.

At about 11:00, she comes out and starts talking to Kostya. I just keep reading and listening to my music. I did look up over the top of my glasses once and she saw me. She said "Don't worry; we will have the documents soon." I said "Another answered prayer, Anna. Another answered prayer!" I asked when she thought we would have them and if there was a change we could get to the passport office today. Her response was great; "we'll see".

The next thing I know Kostya is out of the car and he says, "We’ll be back". "No problem" I said and went back to reading and listening. About 1:00, they came back and Anna says let's go. We went inside the building and into an office where there is a lady working at a desk. Anna motions for me to sit down, so I do. After about 10 minutes that lady looks up and says something to Anna. Anna says something back and time goes by. After about 1/2 hour, she gets up and leaves. Anna tells me she is working on getting all the documents and we will just wait.

For the next 2 hours Anna and I make small talk while the lady comes and goes. Sometimes asking Anna some clarifying questions about the children's new names, our address, etc.

At 3:30, she walks from around her desk with three documents in her left hand and her right hand extended to shack mine. We shack hands and she says something I can't understand, but she is smiling so I figure it's good. Anna explains that she is telling me that I am a nice person and have a loving heart to come and adopt these three children. She knows their mother and father and she is happy that the children will have a home to live in. I tell Anna to please tell her thank you and that she is nice one for talking time out of her busy day to complete this work.

After another 30 minutes, she handed Anna six more document and we said good-bye. Anna said that she said "God be with you in your journey". How cool is that! (Did notice a picture of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God hanging on the wall behind her desk and even wondered what her relationship with Christ and the Father was like?)

On the way to the car, Anna tells me we are really blessed because there were only three blank birth certificates in the office. Had she not had the three we needed or made a mistake on any one of them, we would have been returning tomorrow. "Blessed" - you bet!

Its 4:00 and we have 1.5 hour drive back to Khelm so I ask Anna what next so I know how to pray on the way. She said she would call the orphanage director and see if she can set something up with the passport office. So for 1 hour and 20 minutes I read, listened to music and prayed. As we entered town, Anna makes a call. We keep driving and I keep riding hoping we are going somewhere we need to go beside back to our apartment. We are heading down the street to our apartment, but make a turn. OK God - you have a plan. We go around the block a few times obviously looking for some address. We pull into a parking lot and Anna says "You come with me." OK I say and ask if I need anything; passport, money, anything. She says "sure". I gather what I need and follow her in a building. It really is an adventure! She tells me that we are at an office where they can assign the children new I.D. numbers that they will need for their passports. She tells me to wait in the lobby and she goes in a door. A few minutes later, she comes out and tells me that we can come back at 9:00am and pick them up. I praise the Lord for working out yet another detail and I didn't even know about new I.D. numbers.

We went to the car and back to the apartment.

So here's the plan for tomorrow - we go pick up the I.D. numbers at 9am, then to the notary office for something, then to pick up the orphanage director, then to the passport office.

There are two types of passports - one is an "old" version and if they have three of them they could possibly be completed by Wednesday night. The other is the "new" version and it will take 3-4 days to complete them.

If they have the "old" forms, we could be home on Friday. If they have the "new" forms, it will most likely be Tuesday before we come home.

Here are the prayer requests. Please continue to pray BOLDLY.
1. That we get the I.D. numbers at 9am without delay.
2. The notary is in and can sign what needs to be signed.
3. The passport office has three "old" forms that we can have and get processed by Wednesday night.

Thank you all for your BOLD prayers. Please rejoice with me in all that God is doing to answer our prayers. He is King and worthy of our praise.

Blessings <><,

David