July 26, 2007
Today we will finally be home!! We all woke up around 6 AM, which was pretty good considering the time change. The Hampton Inn had a very nice breakfast buffet, which the kids loved. They eat so much, when you can figure out what type of food they like. They love fruit. For breakfast they had cereal, multiple bananas, and some pastries.
We had to wait till 11 AM to go to the airport so we ended up just walking around the hotel to keep them busy. They were so excited knowing they were going home.
We flew a prop plane home and they liked walking up the stairs to get onto the plane. Again they wanted to eat the whole way home. We landed just before 3 PM, I can't tell you how good it was to be home. Both sets of grandparents met us at the airport and we all went back to our house to eat. The kids all loved the house and kept walking around like they couldn't believe this was their home.
After dinner they all took a bath which was new for them since they only took showers in the orphanage. Also the water was warm! Michael slept in his own bed! and the girls will share a bedroom.
Thanks so much for all your prayers. We could really feel God's hand while we were over in Ukraine. We know these next few months will be very challenging, but gradually as they speak more English it will be a lot easier.
John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, Michael, and Hazel
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Day 40 Flying to NYC
This morning, Wed July 25, we left the apt at 8 AM. The children were all excited because they knew they were going to go on an airplane. It took us 1 1/2 hours to get through all the lines to finally get on the plane. When we turned the corner and they saw the door to the plane their eyes just lit up. Kristina and Luba sat together by the window and John, Michael and I were in the center section. Unfortunately we didn't have any toys with us for them, they had disappeared when we went to pick them up. The girls were drawing for most of the 9 1/2 hour flight. Michael slept for the first 2 hours, then we got him up to eat which was a mistake, he never went back to sleep. It was so hard to keep him in the seat, at least we had nice people around us who wanted to hold him and play with him part of the time. The people in front and in back of us even let him play with their cell phones.
We finally got to JFK airport about 2 PM. When we landed all of the children were offically US citizens! They were just exhausted and not in the best of moods. It took awhile to get through the immigration line, then we had to wait awhile for the shuttle to take us to the Hampton Inn.
The kids said they were hungry even though it would have been 11 PM for them so we went to the restaurant. We ordered them mac and cheese. The serving was huge, they took one bite and decided they didn't like it. Michael was trying not to fall asleep while drinking milk. Also they didn't understand why ice was in their water and they wanted to eat the ice with a spoon.
We finally went to bed at 9 PM. We were all in the same room and we all fell asleep very fast.
We finally got to JFK airport about 2 PM. When we landed all of the children were offically US citizens! They were just exhausted and not in the best of moods. It took awhile to get through the immigration line, then we had to wait awhile for the shuttle to take us to the Hampton Inn.
The kids said they were hungry even though it would have been 11 PM for them so we went to the restaurant. We ordered them mac and cheese. The serving was huge, they took one bite and decided they didn't like it. Michael was trying not to fall asleep while drinking milk. Also they didn't understand why ice was in their water and they wanted to eat the ice with a spoon.
We finally went to bed at 9 PM. We were all in the same room and we all fell asleep very fast.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Day 39 US Embassy
Today, Tuesday, we left early to go the the US Embassy, by 9, to get the Visas. We must have filled out four forms for each child. It took over an hour to fill out the paperwork. At least there was a playroom where John was able to take the children. We had to wait till about noon and then we were told to come back about 4:30 to pick up the visas.
We then went back to the apt to 'rest'. HA HA. It is just so hard when we have minimal things for the kids to play with and it is so hot in the apt.
At 4:30 WE GOT THE VISAS. Our get out of jail card, (not free though) Then we went to TGI Friday's to 'celebrate'. This time we got chicken strips for the kids which they seemed to like better. Although Kristina seems to prefer salads.
This evening we will pack up to fly out tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
We then went back to the apt to 'rest'. HA HA. It is just so hard when we have minimal things for the kids to play with and it is so hot in the apt.
At 4:30 WE GOT THE VISAS. Our get out of jail card, (not free though) Then we went to TGI Friday's to 'celebrate'. This time we got chicken strips for the kids which they seemed to like better. Although Kristina seems to prefer salads.
This evening we will pack up to fly out tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Monday, July 23, 2007
Day 38 Monday, Medical Exam
Went to get medical exam this AM. The exams consisted of listening to their heart and lung, palpating the stomach and checking the femoral pulses. They all did well. They had finger prick blood draws also. Luba was terrified of the blood draw and then laughed when Michael jumped as his finger was stuck.
Went to Delta GOT AIRLINE TICKETS!!! at a resonable price. We do have to spend Wednesday night in NYC.
Itinerary
Wed, July 25 flight 89 Kiev to JFK leaves Keiv 11:00 AM arrives JFK 2:25 PM
Thurs, July 26 flight 6073 JFK to ORF leaves JFK 1:06 PM arrives ORF 2:56PM
We still have to find a hotel.
We then went to McDonalds for lunch. Luba and Michael seem to like the chicken nuggets. Kristina has been just eating the breading off so this time she got a salad which she ate most of. We all got ice cream cones, 5 cones which is US dollars would be $1.50! We spent some of the afternoon in the apt while the kids watched TV. Later we just walked around Kyiv.
We go to the US Embassy tomorrow for the visas, we are told 99% of the time you get them the same day, Pray we are part of that 99%
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Went to Delta GOT AIRLINE TICKETS!!! at a resonable price. We do have to spend Wednesday night in NYC.
Itinerary
Wed, July 25 flight 89 Kiev to JFK leaves Keiv 11:00 AM arrives JFK 2:25 PM
Thurs, July 26 flight 6073 JFK to ORF leaves JFK 1:06 PM arrives ORF 2:56PM
We still have to find a hotel.
We then went to McDonalds for lunch. Luba and Michael seem to like the chicken nuggets. Kristina has been just eating the breading off so this time she got a salad which she ate most of. We all got ice cream cones, 5 cones which is US dollars would be $1.50! We spent some of the afternoon in the apt while the kids watched TV. Later we just walked around Kyiv.
We go to the US Embassy tomorrow for the visas, we are told 99% of the time you get them the same day, Pray we are part of that 99%
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Day 37 Sunday
Walked around Kyiv, went to Mc Donald's again, they like McNuggets, don't know what a hamburger is or how to eat one. More later
Day 36
Walked around Kyiv for 3 1/2 hrs, ate at Friday's and Mc Donald's, apt on 7th floor no elevator, no AC. No translator. More later
Friday, July 20, 2007
Day 35 friday 7/20
At 11 AM we were picked up in a white Mercedes van to drive down to Scadosk to pick up the children. We were told the van would have A/C which it didn't. The middle and back seat windows didn't even open! There were no seat belts in the van either. Needless to say we were a little worried about how the children would be leaving the orphanage, especially Luba. We picked up Michael and Kristina first. Even at four years old, Michael k
new was leaving and 
new was leaving and 
wouldn't be coming back. He was saying, "Paca" to all of his friends, some of the caretakers were crying. Kristina seemed excited to be leaving, she kept skipping around. When we went to Luba's camp she was slow in coming out to get dressed, but didn't seem afraid to leave. The big surprise was when we go about 5 miles down the road and Luba asked Natasha if she would ever see that place again. When Natasha said, 'No', Luba said, 'Great' and took out her braids.
We then drove back to Kherson to pick up the passports which were supposed to be ready. We ended up waiting about 2 1/2 hours. They were finally ready about 5 PM. While we waited Kristina played with the camera and we all spent alot of time just walking around.
Then began the long ride back to Kyiv. It was so hot sitting in the back of the van. This trip made to Scoda trip to Odesa seem great. We seemed to be stopping every hour for the first three hours. At least Michael fell asleep at 8:30.
We arrived in Kyiv at 1 AM. Our apt was on the seventh floor, with no A/C and no hot water. We are right on a main street downtown. Natasha said goodbye and we were on our own. We finally got everyone into bed about 2 AM.
Thanks for your prayers,
John, Cindy, Kristina, Luba, and Michael
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Day 34 Final paperwork
This morning, again, we left the hotel at 6 AM and headed to Odessa. It wasn't quite as hot , but we were slowed down by a lot of trucks. We arrived at the registars office a little after 9. This time we were out in less than 30 minutes with Kristina's birth certificate. Then we had to take it to a different gov't building to have a seal put on it. Here we had to wait over 90 minutes, I think they forgot about us. Once we finally got it back, we had to get through all the traffic to get out of town, this took a long time. On the way out we were able to stop at McDonald's for lunch. :-)
When we got back to Kherson we had to get the seal put on Luba and Michael's birth certificates, but this time we only had to wait 20 minutes. So all of the paperwork is done! We then went to the passport office, but Natasha's contact was in a meeting, so she had to go back later and dropped off copies of the birth certificates so the passports can be made by tomorrow.
When we got back to Kherson we had to get the seal put on Luba and Michael's birth certificates, but this time we only had to wait 20 minutes. So all of the paperwork is done! We then went to the passport office, but Natasha's contact was in a meeting, so she had to go back later and dropped off copies of the birth certificates so the passports can be made by tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning a van will be picking us up at 10 in the morning we will drive down to Scadosk to pick up the children. Then back to Kherson to pick up the passports and head to Kyiv. Please pray that the children won't be upset especially Luba. Once we are in Kyiv we are pretty much on our own. We will be able to call someone if we need to, but no one will be right there with us. It will be difficult to go out anywhere, but we also can't stay in the apartment the whole time.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Below pictures, first two are the registars office, then sites along the road driving back from Odessa. If you look closely in the one picture you can see there is a hand holding the back door shut. The last picture is an airplane memorial from WW II, there are many around like it.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Day 33 One step back
Cindy speaking
We have decided we aren't going to say when we will be home because everytime we make plans they are changed.
We left this morning at 6AM for Odessa, with Yuri, our Scoda drive. We were not looking forward to this drive. It is 200 km with 90% of it being on a two lane road which was probably last paved when it was laid, it is very bumpy. Also apparently here they don't like to use the AC in the car. So we are driving down a two lane, very bumpy road, at 100-120 km/hr with the windows open and the temperature is 85-90. Occasionally we are slowed down by a truck of some sort and when we finally are able to pass it, it blows exhaust in our windows. On a positive note, I did get some sewing done.
We arrived in Odessa at 9 AM, traffic was terrible in the city. We found the gov't building picked up some paper work then had to go to a different building to get Kristina's birth certificate. We finally found the other building, John and I were out in the hallway waiting for Natasha to do the necessary paperwork. About an hour later she comes out and says it's time to go. We get in the car and she says it's not good news. Apparently the children were put in the orphanage in April of 2005 and in October 2005, they were split up. The court decree which split the children had Kristina's mom's birth year 1964. All the other paperwork said 1977. We were told we had to go to that court, which was where we had gotten the birth certificates yesterday, and find out if the wrong date was a clerical error, or see if this was a different person. We would have to bring back a letter, if it was a clerical error so we could get a birth certificate made. I can't discribe how we felt, it was if they were telling us Kristina wasn't really the older sister, but all the other paperwork had put her mom's birth in 1977.
Needless to say not much was spoken on the drive back, (still all the same driving conditions as above), but a lot of praying was going on. We made it to the small town by 2 PM. Natasha went into the court building while we waited. She came out about 45 minutes later and said the court would write the letter, but we had to prove the woman born in 1977 existed. She also told us the court decree had the date of 1964 for all three children, so at least it wasn't just Kristina. This had not been noticed yesterday when we got the other birth certificates. We then drove to the passport office of that town to prove this woman existed. Twenty minutes later Natasha came out with a paper with the womans picture and the correct birthdate, 1977. We went back to the court and they typed up a letter for us. She also told us the court was saying since the decree was changed there should be a 5 day waiting period, but she was able to talk them out of it. That would have been awful! We hope the paperwork will be enough, Natasha is going to fax it to Odessa to see if there are any questions.
We arrived back at our hotel at 5 PM, we hadn't eaten since a small breakfast at 5:30 AM. We are just beat and we still have to drive back to Odessa tomorrow to get the birth certificate! After dinner we came upstairs and will relax for a little while before trying to get to bed early again. If we get the birth certificate tomorrow, we should get the passports on Friday, pick up the children and head to Kyiv. This means the medical exams and visas won't be done till next week. We know we will be home by Labor Day, just joking. Unfortunately we told the children we would be back on Wednesday or Thursday to pick them up and we have no way to reach them. We hope Kristina won't think we aren't coming.
Please pray we are able to get Kristina's birthcertificate tomorrow, I don't think we could handle having to go to Odessa another time.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
This is a picture of a field of sunflowers, they are everywhere on the ride to Odessa. We were told a few weeks ago the Ukraine flag in blue on top for the blue sky and yellow on bottom for the wheat fields, but we have seen more sunflower fields then wheat fields.
We have decided we aren't going to say when we will be home because everytime we make plans they are changed.
We left this morning at 6AM for Odessa, with Yuri, our Scoda drive. We were not looking forward to this drive. It is 200 km with 90% of it being on a two lane road which was probably last paved when it was laid, it is very bumpy. Also apparently here they don't like to use the AC in the car. So we are driving down a two lane, very bumpy road, at 100-120 km/hr with the windows open and the temperature is 85-90. Occasionally we are slowed down by a truck of some sort and when we finally are able to pass it, it blows exhaust in our windows. On a positive note, I did get some sewing done.
We arrived in Odessa at 9 AM, traffic was terrible in the city. We found the gov't building picked up some paper work then had to go to a different building to get Kristina's birth certificate. We finally found the other building, John and I were out in the hallway waiting for Natasha to do the necessary paperwork. About an hour later she comes out and says it's time to go. We get in the car and she says it's not good news. Apparently the children were put in the orphanage in April of 2005 and in October 2005, they were split up. The court decree which split the children had Kristina's mom's birth year 1964. All the other paperwork said 1977. We were told we had to go to that court, which was where we had gotten the birth certificates yesterday, and find out if the wrong date was a clerical error, or see if this was a different person. We would have to bring back a letter, if it was a clerical error so we could get a birth certificate made. I can't discribe how we felt, it was if they were telling us Kristina wasn't really the older sister, but all the other paperwork had put her mom's birth in 1977.
Needless to say not much was spoken on the drive back, (still all the same driving conditions as above), but a lot of praying was going on. We made it to the small town by 2 PM. Natasha went into the court building while we waited. She came out about 45 minutes later and said the court would write the letter, but we had to prove the woman born in 1977 existed. She also told us the court decree had the date of 1964 for all three children, so at least it wasn't just Kristina. This had not been noticed yesterday when we got the other birth certificates. We then drove to the passport office of that town to prove this woman existed. Twenty minutes later Natasha came out with a paper with the womans picture and the correct birthdate, 1977. We went back to the court and they typed up a letter for us. She also told us the court was saying since the decree was changed there should be a 5 day waiting period, but she was able to talk them out of it. That would have been awful! We hope the paperwork will be enough, Natasha is going to fax it to Odessa to see if there are any questions.
We arrived back at our hotel at 5 PM, we hadn't eaten since a small breakfast at 5:30 AM. We are just beat and we still have to drive back to Odessa tomorrow to get the birth certificate! After dinner we came upstairs and will relax for a little while before trying to get to bed early again. If we get the birth certificate tomorrow, we should get the passports on Friday, pick up the children and head to Kyiv. This means the medical exams and visas won't be done till next week. We know we will be home by Labor Day, just joking. Unfortunately we told the children we would be back on Wednesday or Thursday to pick them up and we have no way to reach them. We hope Kristina won't think we aren't coming.
Please pray we are able to get Kristina's birthcertificate tomorrow, I don't think we could handle having to go to Odessa another time.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
This is a picture of a field of sunflowers, they are everywhere on the ride to Odessa. We were told a few weeks ago the Ukraine flag in blue on top for the blue sky and yellow on bottom for the wheat fields, but we have seen more sunflower fields then wheat fields.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Day 32 more paperwork
Cindy speaking
This morning, Tuesday, Natasha did a lot of running around and was able to get all the sign out papers and medical records. She did bring the picture with the new frame to the director and she said she liked it. So, we are done with directors and inspectors, woo hoo! John and I were actually able to relax and get some reading and sewing done. This was probably one of the last times that will happen!
We also found out today that passports are available! We have an appointment on Thursday at 10 AM to pick up the passports.
This afternoon we drove about 45 minutes to the small town where Luba and Michael were born to pick up their birth certificates. These have their new names with the last name Bowling, they are all in Russian and new ones will have to be made in the States.
Tomorrow we drive down to Odessa to pick up Kristina's birth certificate, it is a 2-3 hour drive. Then on Thursday after we pick up the passports we will go down and pick up the kids and drive to Kyiv. We are thinking we will be home next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
This morning, Tuesday, Natasha did a lot of running around and was able to get all the sign out papers and medical records. She did bring the picture with the new frame to the director and she said she liked it. So, we are done with directors and inspectors, woo hoo! John and I were actually able to relax and get some reading and sewing done. This was probably one of the last times that will happen!
We also found out today that passports are available! We have an appointment on Thursday at 10 AM to pick up the passports.
This afternoon we drove about 45 minutes to the small town where Luba and Michael were born to pick up their birth certificates. These have their new names with the last name Bowling, they are all in Russian and new ones will have to be made in the States.
Tomorrow we drive down to Odessa to pick up Kristina's birth certificate, it is a 2-3 hour drive. Then on Thursday after we pick up the passports we will go down and pick up the kids and drive to Kyiv. We are thinking we will be home next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Monday, July 16, 2007
Day 31 paperwork and running around
Cindy speaking
This morning Natasha went to court and picked up the court decree. Woo Hoo!!!! Then we headed to Luba's orphanage to get the medical records from the director and sign out letter from the lawyer. We signed the necessary paperwork then the director pointed to small painting in the window. She said they were going to hang it in the play area for Luba's group to remember her, but it needed a frame and we couldn't have the medical records until we gave her money for a frame, then she walked out of the room. We were so mad. Natasha said what she was asking was way more than what a frame should cost so we told her we would go and have it framed ourselves. The director didn't seem happy, but there was no way we were just going to give her more money, we have given her more than enough!
Then we went to see the General and Cliff. Cliff didn't have the paperwork done. We ended up waiting for 2 hrs while it was typed up. Then we signed it. This director is very nice. We were able to get the medical records, but the lawyer still hasn't finished the sign out papers yet, we hope we will get them tomorrow.
Next we went to get the picture frame, it will be done by tomorrow and cost less than half of the amount the director wanted us to give her. When we went back to pick up the medical records and give the director the receipt for the frame we found out the doctor didn't have the papers ready and they wouldn't be ready till tomorrow morning!
So to recap we still need the sign out letter from Kristina and Michael's orphanage and Luba's medical records before we can get the birth certificates. Hopefully we will get this paperwork tomorrow and be able to get Luba and Michael's birth certificates in the afternoon. Then we would drive to Odessa on Wednesday. Natasha tried to find out if passports are available, but the lady was in a meeting. She should be able to talk to her tomorrow.
Please continue to pray about the passports and getting all the paperwork done. If the passports come through we will probably be home by Tuesday or Wednesday.
John and Cindy
This morning Natasha went to court and picked up the court decree. Woo Hoo!!!! Then we headed to Luba's orphanage to get the medical records from the director and sign out letter from the lawyer. We signed the necessary paperwork then the director pointed to small painting in the window. She said they were going to hang it in the play area for Luba's group to remember her, but it needed a frame and we couldn't have the medical records until we gave her money for a frame, then she walked out of the room. We were so mad. Natasha said what she was asking was way more than what a frame should cost so we told her we would go and have it framed ourselves. The director didn't seem happy, but there was no way we were just going to give her more money, we have given her more than enough!
Then we went to see the General and Cliff. Cliff didn't have the paperwork done. We ended up waiting for 2 hrs while it was typed up. Then we signed it. This director is very nice. We were able to get the medical records, but the lawyer still hasn't finished the sign out papers yet, we hope we will get them tomorrow.
Next we went to get the picture frame, it will be done by tomorrow and cost less than half of the amount the director wanted us to give her. When we went back to pick up the medical records and give the director the receipt for the frame we found out the doctor didn't have the papers ready and they wouldn't be ready till tomorrow morning!
So to recap we still need the sign out letter from Kristina and Michael's orphanage and Luba's medical records before we can get the birth certificates. Hopefully we will get this paperwork tomorrow and be able to get Luba and Michael's birth certificates in the afternoon. Then we would drive to Odessa on Wednesday. Natasha tried to find out if passports are available, but the lady was in a meeting. She should be able to talk to her tomorrow.
Please continue to pray about the passports and getting all the paperwork done. If the passports come through we will probably be home by Tuesday or Wednesday.
John and Cindy
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Day 30, Day 10 of the 10 day waiting period!!
Cindy speaking
This morning, Sunday, we were able to get up and have a leisurly breakfast. Yuri, our Scoda driver, arrived at 11:00 to drive us back to Kherson. We went to say bye to all the children, telling them we would be back on Wednesday or Thursday to take them out of the orphange, it's hard to tell if the really get the concept. We did bring cookies for all the groups, hoping the children would get some. Then we drove back to Kherson, about 90 minutes.
After a good lunch Natasha and I went out shopping. We bought a DVD player for Kristina's group and hair clippers for Michael's group. Later we will just rest, the next few days we will be busy driving around getting paperwork done.
Continue to pray about the passports and tickets home.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
This morning, Sunday, we were able to get up and have a leisurly breakfast. Yuri, our Scoda driver, arrived at 11:00 to drive us back to Kherson. We went to say bye to all the children, telling them we would be back on Wednesday or Thursday to take them out of the orphange, it's hard to tell if the really get the concept. We did bring cookies for all the groups, hoping the children would get some. Then we drove back to Kherson, about 90 minutes.
After a good lunch Natasha and I went out shopping. We bought a DVD player for Kristina's group and hair clippers for Michael's group. Later we will just rest, the next few days we will be busy driving around getting paperwork done.
Continue to pray about the passports and tickets home.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
Day 29 afternoon
Cindy speaking
Saturday afternoon we picked up all three kids to take them for ice cream again. I guess we've already started a bad habit, they think everytime they get in a car they are getting ice cream. This time they all got 3 scoop sundaes with chocolate sauce on top, and, they finished the whole thing and wanted juice too! Afterwards we went back to the playground in front of our hotel for awhile. When we took them up to our room for a short period of time, Michael noticed the bananas and ate one and then half of another one. This was less than 30 minutes after his sundae! We were told the children in the orphanage are fed five meals a day (they have to be very small), and they get snacks at times from people visiting. Well, all you have to do is look at the children and look at the care takers and determine who is eating the snacks which are brought in. When we brought the Michael back to his camp, he raced in, because his group was already eating dinner and he didn't want to miss it!
In the evening we did some relaxing after dinner and played Uno. Later I was able to cross-stitch and John continued on reading his 3rd book.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Day 29 the beach
Cindy speaking
Saturday morning, day 9 of our 10 day waiting period. Again this morning we picked up Luba and went to Kristina and Michael's camp. It is a little bit more windy today, and not as hot, so they didn't really want to go in the water much. We played in the sand for awhile. Both John and I are sunburned. Apparently Ukraine skin is different, no one here gets sunburned and they don't seem to use sunscreen. John and I, on the other hand, have major farmer's tans (burns) going on. We can't wait till next week when the waiting will be over.
Continue to pray about the passport situation. On Monday we will get the court decree, then we have to sign out with both directors, and sign paperwork from the lawyers of both of the orphanages. After we get all the sign out papers done, we can get the birth certificates, then we can get the passports. We have to go to Odessa for Kristina's birth certificate which will take most of a day, we will probably do this on Tuesday. So we will probably be looking at trying to get the passports on Wednesday. If we are able to get the passports on Wed. then we will be heading back to Kyiv to get the medical exams for the kids and sign out at the US Embassy, then we can go home!
Also pray about plane tickets which we can't even look into until we get to Kyiv and our being in Kyiv for a few days on our own.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
Saturday morning, day 9 of our 10 day waiting period. Again this morning we picked up Luba and went to Kristina and Michael's camp. It is a little bit more windy today, and not as hot, so they didn't really want to go in the water much. We played in the sand for awhile. Both John and I are sunburned. Apparently Ukraine skin is different, no one here gets sunburned and they don't seem to use sunscreen. John and I, on the other hand, have major farmer's tans (burns) going on. We can't wait till next week when the waiting will be over.
Continue to pray about the passport situation. On Monday we will get the court decree, then we have to sign out with both directors, and sign paperwork from the lawyers of both of the orphanages. After we get all the sign out papers done, we can get the birth certificates, then we can get the passports. We have to go to Odessa for Kristina's birth certificate which will take most of a day, we will probably do this on Tuesday. So we will probably be looking at trying to get the passports on Wednesday. If we are able to get the passports on Wed. then we will be heading back to Kyiv to get the medical exams for the kids and sign out at the US Embassy, then we can go home!
Also pray about plane tickets which we can't even look into until we get to Kyiv and our being in Kyiv for a few days on our own.
Thanks,
John and Cindy
Day 28 the beach and ice cream
Cindy speaking
We have now been here 4 weeks. We are soooo ready to come home, hopefully less than 2 more weeks. No Sharon, we aren't yelling at each other yet, I don't think that would ever happen. We just yell at our horrible phone which we can't hear on and people can't get through on, the shower which leaks all over the floor, the sheets on the bed which we can't figure out, (they don't know about fitted sheets and the flat sheets don't even go over the side of the mattress), and many other thing I don't have time to mention. People in America have NO IDEA how good they have it, just the fact that you can walk down almost any street, go into a restaurant and get a meal in less than 45 minutes. Ok, enough grumbling.
This morning, Friday, we went to pick up Luba and take her to Kristina and Michael's camp. Again we played down by the beach. It is getting hotter and John and I can't go in the water because we have to keep certain paperwork we carry on ourselves which can't get wet. Needless to say we won't leave this paperwork on the beach! At least we are able to walk in up to our knees which is acutally pretty far out in the water. The water is a little cooler than back home. Many jellyfish have washed up on shore. The girls enjoy drawing in the sand. Michael just runs around and likes to throw shells in the water. Kristina is counting down the days, she knows she will be out in five days. We're not sure where we'll be, but it won't be here. On the way out of the camp we met a group of college students from State College, PA, who were here on a missions trip.
This afternoon we took all the children out for ice cream. Yes, I must admitted, John and I and all three kids were in the back seat in a car the size of a Civic. Not safe at all, but what can you do but pray. They don't have car seat here. The kids loved the ice cream, again. Then we went to our hotel which has a small slide and a child's house in the front courtyard. They were content to play for about 45 minutes. Afterwards we showed them our room. Our bed is bigger than a queen size and they couldn't believe how big it was. They wanted to look at everything. We ate white watermelon which tastes like honeydew. Then we had to take them back.
We ate dinner with a couple, Norm and Angela, from Mission Viejo, CA, they are also adopting siblings 2 girls and a boy, 6, 7, and 8. The boy is the oldest and is in Kristina's camp. They girls are in Luba's camp. They have two children at home already, 9 and 18. We enjoyed talking with them for many hours after dinner.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
We have now been here 4 weeks. We are soooo ready to come home, hopefully less than 2 more weeks. No Sharon, we aren't yelling at each other yet, I don't think that would ever happen. We just yell at our horrible phone which we can't hear on and people can't get through on, the shower which leaks all over the floor, the sheets on the bed which we can't figure out, (they don't know about fitted sheets and the flat sheets don't even go over the side of the mattress), and many other thing I don't have time to mention. People in America have NO IDEA how good they have it, just the fact that you can walk down almost any street, go into a restaurant and get a meal in less than 45 minutes. Ok, enough grumbling.
This morning, Friday, we went to pick up Luba and take her to Kristina and Michael's camp. Again we played down by the beach. It is getting hotter and John and I can't go in the water because we have to keep certain paperwork we carry on ourselves which can't get wet. Needless to say we won't leave this paperwork on the beach! At least we are able to walk in up to our knees which is acutally pretty far out in the water. The water is a little cooler than back home. Many jellyfish have washed up on shore. The girls enjoy drawing in the sand. Michael just runs around and likes to throw shells in the water. Kristina is counting down the days, she knows she will be out in five days. We're not sure where we'll be, but it won't be here. On the way out of the camp we met a group of college students from State College, PA, who were here on a missions trip.
This afternoon we took all the children out for ice cream. Yes, I must admitted, John and I and all three kids were in the back seat in a car the size of a Civic. Not safe at all, but what can you do but pray. They don't have car seat here. The kids loved the ice cream, again. Then we went to our hotel which has a small slide and a child's house in the front courtyard. They were content to play for about 45 minutes. Afterwards we showed them our room. Our bed is bigger than a queen size and they couldn't believe how big it was. They wanted to look at everything. We ate white watermelon which tastes like honeydew. Then we had to take them back.
We ate dinner with a couple, Norm and Angela, from Mission Viejo, CA, they are also adopting siblings 2 girls and a boy, 6, 7, and 8. The boy is the oldest and is in Kristina's camp. They girls are in Luba's camp. They have two children at home already, 9 and 18. We enjoyed talking with them for many hours after dinner.
Thanks for your prayers,
John and Cindy
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