Saturday, 1 Week Down

I had a better sleep last night, Wayne not so much. And we had no hot water in our apartment this morning...welcome to Ukraine. Slava-driver picked us up at 9am to go to Borpka. The drive was very pleasant because there was much less traffic than on week days. With traffic it takes almost an hour to get there, then we visit for an hour, then an hour back. But it's worth it to see our Slava. The weekend staff at the orphanage is different then the Mon-Fri staff. These people didn't know us and weren't to keen on letting us visit, but Slava-driver called Ira, and she called the Assistant Director who called the orphanage and said it was ok. So we finally got our visit. The Saturday staff didn't get the memo on how to dress Slava, so he came in really dressed as an orphan with gray tights, blue shorts, an old blue sweatshirt, and his pink sandles! He right away asked for a juice box which we presented to him, and he gave us a loud "spaaceeeeeeebah"! He has such good manners. He enjoyed batting a balloon around, throwing the football, and doing puzzles. He is very good with the wooden puzzles. It was a good visit. We will go back tomorrow again.

We returned to Kiev and met Vicki Hoodikoff and her kids Ally (12) & Stephen (9). They've been living on the YWAM property outside of Kiev on the Dnipor River where YWAM will build a University of the Nations. Vicki's husband was flying home from a DTS in Russia so we did not get to visit with him. We spent the afternoon at the YWAM property, enjoyed a great cup of coffee and visit with Vicki, and Jordan enjoyed running around and playing with Stephen. Vicki dropped her kids off at a youth party at her church, which we got a tour of, and then we took her to dinner at a Ukrainian restaurnt. The food was very good and so was the company. We picked her kids back up from church and then Vicki took us back to our apartment. It was a full and busy day for us which was good. We were very blessed to spend this time with the Hoodikoffs, and we will see them in NY in December! I don't think we will see them again here on this visit for they leave for the States next week, but we loved the time we spent with them today.

We just got a call from Ira telling us that in Ukraine they set the clocks back tonight 1 hour! That means an extra hour of sleep....if one can sleep. Tomorrow we will visit Slava in the morning, and then come back to the apartment for a restful afternoon. The weather was beautiful today, so hopefully it will be good tomorrow too and we will take Jordan to the playground.

Please remember to pray for our Interpol clearances to come thru on Monday and for us to get a court day on Thursday or Friday.

We love & miss you all. I'm hearing about all the delicious meals being delivered to our house, thank you all so much for providing for our kids at home. I'm thinking about when I come home maybe not telling anyone I'm home so the meals keep coming! :) We appreciate everyone who is pitching in, including our kids. This is really a team effort! And we thank our Lord for His bountiful provision both here in UA and at home. Good night for now!