Birthday celebration at the Ark

Well, I said I was back a month ago but sad to say I didn’t quite make it. Being on vacation and then getting caught up on the happenings on the Ark were priority. Now that I am back in Kiev maybe it will be easier…we’ll see how it goes. No promises!

A week ago we celebrated Kristina’s 12th birthday. We had a great time and I know she felt loved by many. Love really is the most important thing at birthday celebrations! Celebrating the life of someone that God planned to be here on this earth for such a time as this. Kristina has many talents and gifts and I hope that as she grows older she will use those gifts to bring glory to the Father. Pray for her will you? She and her 2 brothers long for a family. One day……

I’m back…

Well, after a long break from blogging I have decided to return. Just had too much to do and that combined with traveling for vacation just didn’t allow time for blogging. Maybe some of you are interested in knowing what’s been going on lately. Here’s a brief update and there will be more later. Actually I am on vacation and will try.

On August 1 we had a reunion of all our kids who now live in America. It was a fabulous time and great to see them all together. What was the occasion? It was the birthday of a fine gentleman who has come over to Kiev many times. You would never believe he’s 84! He invited all the kids and Barbara and me to celebrate his birthday at Lake Gaston in Virginia. It definitely was a day to remember!! Boating, swimming, music, renewing relationships and of course food!

So here’s a birthday photo from the event –

Happy kids!

Stand by me…

Just a little something to bring a smile to my face is what I was looking for tonight as I did some web surfing. I came upon this video that I believe many will thoroughly enjoy. Exactly how this was all recorded remains a mystery but I can imagine they had a great time doing it! It bridges the gap of may cultures and many people groups. So cut and paste this link into your browser and sit back and enjoy! You’ll be glad you did. Trust me!

http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Presidential elections

Interesting that even though today America is 233 years old today (and I am very thankful to be an American!) my mind is on the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine. Here’s the latest news in case the Western news networks haven’t kept you updated.

Ukraine Parliament set the date for the next presidential election – January 17, 2010. Originally the date was October 25, 2009 but President Victor Yushchenko complained and the Constitutional Court ended up siding with him. Campaigning can begin on September 19 because the constitution only allows 120 days. Don’t we wish we had that law in the US?! The current front runner, Victor Yanukovych, is attempting to reduce the campaigning to only 90 days. Yanukovych currently is at 25% support. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is in 2nd place with 16%. The former parliamentary speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk is in 3rd place with 13%. His fast rise to popularity is what Yanukovych fears and shortening the campaign will make it more difficult for Yatsenyuk to become more known to the general population. The current President Yushchenko has also announced he will run for re-election but his support is very low – 8%.

Many here feel that the next presidential election will have a great bearing on the future of Ukraine. Depending on who wins, the country will either remain independent and lean toward the West or align more closely with Russia and lean towards Asia. It’s a huge difference and a very pivotal season – much like the most recent elections in the US. Best thing we can do is pray – not only for Ukraine but for the USA as well! Will you join me in that?

Summer teams

Introducing a team of summer interns – Erin, Daniel (a/k/a DJ), and Twila. Although they are from very different backgrounds and from 3 different states, they are quite the team! ACTS is an acronym for Attitude, Cooperation, Training, Service. I am amazed and blessed at how quickly they have bonded with each other and are tackling the various assignments. Most of all I can clearly see they have already earned the love and respect of many of our kids. I promise I will blog more about their summer months with us. So stay tuned…

This past Saturday team 2 from FHBC in Raleigh departed. It was an absolutely marvelous time with BOTH teams!!! They accomplished MUCH in the construction arena and even more in relationships with our children. Today I overheard kids still talking about the time with the teams. It will definitely NOT be a time soon forgotten!!!

We here say a HUGE thank you to all those who came and to those who gave of their finances to help enable the ones who came. You all gave sacrificially and we are humbled and grateful! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Songs Across the Storm

I can across this verse recently and thought it was well worth sharing with many. As I read it my heart was deeply touched with a heart piercing reminder that really no matter what is happening in my life, nevertheless, God’s love and His assuring voice strums gently the strings of my heart. And for that I am in awe and eternally grateful. It is a comfort that keeps me going – forward and onward!

“A harp stood in the moveless air,
Where showers of sunshine washed a thousand fragrant blooms;
A traveler bowed with loads of care
Essayed from morning till the dusk of evening glooms
To thrum sweet sounds from the songless strings;
The pilgrim strives in vain with each unanswering chord,
Until the tempest’s thunder sings,
And, moving on the storm, the fingers of the Lord
A wondrous melody awakes;
And though the battling winds their soldier deeds perform,
Their trumpet-sound brave music makes
While God’s assuring voice sings love across the storm.”

Just exactly what does it mean?

Just had to share this street sign from a small city in southern Ukraine. Your guess is as good as mine as to what they are trying to communicate to the driver.

Inquiring minds

The journey continues…can you imagine the questions and thoughts of 2 young boys traveling for the first time on a plane to America. During the 10 hour flight to JFK I think I answered over 5,000 questions. Then in the airport when we changed planes there were another 1000 or so. But best of all was the wonderment that filled their eyes as they each had window seats on the flight to Norfolk. We saw ships of all sizes and colors and even the statue of Liberty as we left the New York area. On approach to the Norfolk airport they were amazed at what they saw. As we traveled along the road to home, I asked them if it looked or felt like Kiev roads. They both had a good laugh and said – “no way, not even 1 drop!” The adventure is continuing as they get accustomed to life in America. Perhaps the most interesting thing for them is the abundant supply of fruit and vegetables. This morning there was a large bowl of blueberries on the kitchen counter. As I was coming into the kitchen one of the boys was returning the bowl to the kitchen and rubbing his stomach and saying – “ummm, that was really good!” You had to be there! We all just laughed – what else could you do?

Pray for the boys as they get used to life in the USA and as they learn English. Thanks!

The torch has been extinguished – for now

It’s hard to believe that the adoption has been completed for 2 of our boys – Sergei (Will) and Valera (James). What all did it take to do that you might ask? Well, it took 1 year, 1 Divine appointment, a multitude of documents which all had to be apostilled in the USA and translated into Ukrainian and notarized here, a road trip of 12 hrs and 900 kilometers, many visits to various government offices, a court date, a lot of patience to wait out the mandatory 10 day waiting period after the court date, photos, a few trips to the US embassy and most importantly a ton of prayer. All that to say the boys will be flying to the USA tomorrow and thankfully I will be traveling with them. Their English isn’t too great yet so a little help with translation is needed.

For me personally it’s a bittersweet moment but deep inside I know it’s a God moment! These 2 boys have a very special place in my heart. All our kids do but especially Valera – now known as James. Name sounds like Jane. Actually it was chosen especially for that reason. I am blessed and grateful!

So now their journey continues and it will be most interesting to see how it all plays out. I’ll be cheering them on as I do all our kids really. It’s a blessing to see them go to a family who I know loves them very much and will help them grow up to be strong men of God. Keep them all in your prayers please! Thanks much!

Cliff hanger economics…

In Kiev, it looks as though the country’s economy is in good shape. The streets are packed with shoppers and street vendors are selling their products.

Many feel appearances are deceptive and Ukraine is on the edge of an economic cliff. However, there have been some things that happened that kept Ukraine a bit stable while on the edge of the cliff. For example, the International Monetary Fund announced it would release the second part of Ukraine’s $16.4 billion loan. Still analysts here warn the country’s economy is far from being stable.

Ukraine’s neighbor Russia, which traditionally considers Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence, is undoubtedly monitoring the situation very closely. While Russia might have some influence in political maneuvering before Presidential elections, the most important question is how Ukraine, a country of 46 million, manages to deal with the economic crisis. And that, observers are saying, will not be decided by elections but by how soon Ukraine’s political leaders can put aside their differences and make some significant economic reforms.

Elderly woman trying to make ends meet by begging on the streets of Kiev