We're on Midway Island

March 31

Hello from Ukraine. We are inching closer to the midway point. We made some progress this week and we are waiting for our judge to issue a court date - hopefully he will tell us tomorrow. Yesterday was a mixture of visiting the kids and gathering documents. I sound like a broken record. There is just not a streamlined process over here. Every time we think we can check something off the list, there is another paper required, or a change has to be made, or a stamp/signature is missing. (Sort of a "2 steps forward, 1 step back" kind of place.). What a delight to take a "vacation" from our work here last night for a 3 hour dinner with the other family here right now working on an adoption. To speak only English, to confirm that we are experiencing the same challenges and that we are not, in fact, crazy was very encouraging. It is the process that is crazy. We were blessed by their good fellowship and generous spirit.


Tonight we had a little celebration at the "aunt's" apartment. She and T hosted us royally. We also met some of T's girlfriends. It was nice to see T so confident and lady-like. They worked most of the day preparing various Ukrainian dishes and they had lots of different breads and salads too. They even had dessert. These people are not wealthy, but they went all out tonight. We had good conversation and took some pictures. We even got to see an old photo of T when she was a baby. Too Cute!


Yes we are challenged on this rollercoaster ride and it can be maddening at times but then there are moments when a child grabs your hand, yells your name in delight or simple receives a bouquet of flowers for the second time in their many years of life and they are incredibly joyful. As with our visit in December, we are reliant on your prayers. We feel them and are grateful. There have been some saints that have come alongside us in an incredibly gracious way. I think of the young Ukrainian couple who have very little materially but are rich in faith and full of life and joy. She has acted as a pinch hitting translator for us and as and English teacher for one of our kids. They have put up with constant schedule changes and they know us only from one chance meeting at a church service. We will never forget their kindness and generosity.


We moved a few days ago from an apartment to a hotel to save money ($50 a night instead of $90 made sense). What we didn't expect was an upgrade in quality. A real shower with real heat and a jacuzzi tub; a full breakfast for about $3 made this decision a real positive for the week. This is one of those things you can only find out after having been on the ground here for a few weeks. We stumbled into this unmarked hotel near our apartment, looked at the room and took a chance. Bill's back loves to the end the day with the spa jets!


Tomorrow we should complete all the business that can be done before a court date is established. We hope to sign some papers and hop on the train for the 15 hour ride back to Kiev before 18 hours of flying time. We are desperate to see our kids (and we hate to leave our kids here). If all goes well we will be in LA by Thursday night. And if all goes well we will be back here for court a week or two later for a very short turnaround trip to make the court appearance. If you have any free airline miles.....

Too tired to write more. We are grateful for the progress and for all the support we receive.

Psalm 91 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust."