A Roller Coaster Week!

Hi everyone,

Sorry that it has been a week since we posted anything. It has been an up and down week for us. Our first offer on the house was rejected with no counter offer, so that set the tone for the week. We weren't too disappointed over that. They finally countered Thursday and we are writing our final offer this evening. Again, stay tuned.

Now the depressing news. We asked Oksana to notify the orphanage director that we are coming to see the girls and talk about their registration issues. She mentioned our phone calls with Lilya as our translator back in December. He said that he had no idea who she was and that the children that went to America were not there as an adoption trip. (True, they weren't, but that is no reason not to work on their registration.) He also stated that we could not visit and that he wouldn't let us in the gates when we arrive. He says we need documents from the SDA and the regional council to come to the orphanage. He stated that Oksana was not to come to the orphanage, even though she went there to see the girls a couple of weekends ago. (Oksana said that he was not there when she visited.) I think he believes that we are trying to circumvent the adoption process and that is just not the case. We want to help the girls get registered and adopt them via the Ukrainian process when we and they are eligible. He doesn't see it that way.

We consulted with Lilya and she says that the director is supposed to say what he said and that he wouldn't prevent us from seeing all of the kids that came last December. She said that she will e-mail Oksana a few notes to say to the director to soften his stance. We e-mailed Oksana and asked her to make one last call to the director to clear up our intentions. I guess we will not be able to speak with him at all about this registration thing.

As far as we know, the girl's will still be able to come out for most of this summer. I hope that we haven't jeopardized that. The director didn't mention it and Frontier Horizons is moving forward with the paperwork and request. Heidi and I agree that we will wait and hire a lawyer for the registration issue until after the girls arrive. As we have to have a Ukrainian chaperon for them when they are here, we asked FH to ask the director to be the chaperon. It would be a great move if he were, we could show him our eternal support and love for the girls. Perhaps it would do wonders for their registration. There is a slim chance of it being him, however.

Now the roller coaster is going up again. We talked to the girls again this weekend. Zina had lots to say and for the first time I heard and understood her ask about me (Dad). She started off by saying, "Hi Mom, hi Dad". She is very comfortable with our newest translator, Lydia. She asked Lydia who she was and why Lilya wasn't with us anymore. (For those who don't know, Lilya is in a big battle with the US State Dept. to get her family over to the US for her wedding in September. Also, she is working full-time now at a bank.) She asked us to send her swimsuit to her that she left. Rimma was a bit quiet, but talked a little with us. We were surprised when Vika (14) asked to speak with us, too. She wanted to give our friends, the Carman's, her cell phone number and she asked us to pass on her greeting to them as well. We finished by talking to Zina for half an hour more. (I did say that she had lots to say.) She didn't ask about her paperwork at all and we were relived. It is hard to hold back information that you know would be damaging and disheartening for them. But, we feel it is in their best interest. She only asked about when we would be coming. We told her that we needed permission for higher authorities. We didn't want to throw the director under the bus, so to speak. She respects her director, we do too, and we want to keep it that way.

As for the trip to Ukraine in mid-April, we are awaiting more info from Oksana and Lilya's attempts. We feel we may still go, but we do have second thoughts. Heidi wants to just go and peer in through those gates he said he won't let us through. I'm a little hesitant, but coming around. It would still be a fruitful trip and we could see Karen, the Staris B. orphanage, Oksana and her husband. We have to buy tickets soon, tonight perhaps.

Thanks to everyone for their continued thoughts and prayers. We can feel it working and we know that the girls will be with us as a family one day. More later, we will let you know if we purchase tickets. Don't forget about the garage sale, it is scheduled for April 26th! God bless you all.

Exciting News x 3!

We have three bits of exciting news for you!

First, we talked to Frontier Horizons today.They contacted the director and he is agreeing to let the children come but only from mid-July and only with a guardian. We told FH that we would agree to his terms. Soooooo, the girls should be here from mid-July to the end of August! Family and Friends, make your reservations to come to Rogé house and meet these wonderful girls this summer!

Secondly, we are trying to put together a trip to Ukraine for mid-April (not June as previously thought)to visit the girl's internat. Since the director is being more open with us, he has invited us to come to the internat. I don't know what he wants to talk about, but I have an agenda of my own. I want to ask more about the girl's registration and if we can please help in the process (so far any offer of help has been met with resistance and push-back). We want to hire a lawyer to get this done. Also, we want to establish a relationship with him and the girl's caretaker. This is for the girl's sake, but also for future relationships with UOO and this particular internat. And of course, we want to see the girls as much as possible.

Lastly, we made an offer on the house we like today. OK, we love it actually, but don't tell the builder! We will have more information on that as details emerge.

Thank you Lord, for hearing our prayers. You are first and foremost in our thoughts everyday.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when
men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Phone Call Frenzy

Since Sunday (coincidentally when the girls received their new cell phone), I've received three or four "Unavailable ID" hang-up phone calls on my cell phone. "Could it be Zina?", I wondered each time. Well this morning, following one of these calls, I received a second call with the caller ID registering a Ukraine number...and it was Zina! She said, "Hello, this is Zina!" And then we were disconnected.

What a treat to hear her voice this morning - if only for a second!

Oksana confirmed for us via email that the girls are receiving our text messages, but I haven't received the messages they are sending us. More homework for me!!!

Oksana's visit last Sunday

I learned how to post slideshows. Here is our first one, showing Oksana's visit.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

A special note to our friends

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my
follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24, NLT

That scripture was from yesterday's KLOVE Encouraging Word and it made me reflect on all that God has done for Rimma, Zina and us through our friends. Friends, that if not for Him, we would never have met. Together we all are taking up our crosses and following Jesus.

Lynn C. - Thanks for you continued prayers and showing Heidi and me so many years ago that loving a child not of ourselves was possible, and perhaps what God had planned all along for us. Thank you for the donations, we will take any items, not just "big ticket" things.

Debbie & Garth - We continue to pray for your eventual adoption and for the resources to make it possible. No, R & Z will not be on the UOO 2008 trip. We did not want to cross the line with our affairs and UOO. We have contacted Frontier Horizons about an 9-week possible hosting stay and we should know something this week. It's really all up to the orphanage director.

Mark & Mandy - You usually confess that the kids and our story move you guys to tears, but it is you, your compassion and understanding of their plight that moves us. I'm sure that you guys will have little "M&M's" running around the house one day, but I also know that orphans will tug on your hearts... and sleeves one day, too.

Lilya - God sent you to us. We pray for your family, both here and in Ukraine. Thank you for everything. Can't wait until the wedding!

Karen Springs - Talk about taking up the cross and following Jesus! Your ministry in Ukraine brings light to an otherwise dark place for orphans. Continue the charge and thank you for you help with R & Z and all the orphans of Ukraine. The 2007 & 2008 UOO hosting trips you put together have brought attention to older orphans.

Fran Rahn - FFH has a song entitled, "I want to be like you"! Indeed, you guys are shining examples of what we want our Christian lives to mirror! You and Rick are amazing! The fight in you and your eagerness to do battle for your girls inspires me to keep pressing ahead for R & Z. You are the "little engine that could"!

Angie & Eric C. - It's a kick to be adopting along side of you! Sharing stories and going through the ups & downs together is easier that you are with us. We are heartbroken for you about Vika. We will keep you and her in our prayers.

Kris & Clarke Stoesz - When we asked God, "what is it we should be doing about children", he sent us to you! No kidding, we asked the question, came across an ad in the paper, went to an UOO open house, and our lives changed forever. Heidi came home crying after meeting you and hearing Rhya & Luke's story and she made me cry, too. And I hadn't met you yet.! You are our superstars! My greatest joy is when your kids line up to give me and Heidi hugs...did you know they do that now? Watch the next time we meet.

Kari (& family) - Guys, thanks for opening up your established family to adoption. That's a big decision for all of you to undertake. Thank you, Kari, for being a sounding board and a great friend to Heidi. Jim. I love your sense of humor and I need some help bantering with Eric!

Leslie L. (Kristina' story) - Leslie, we have never met, maybe Heidi e-mailed you once. We enjoy reading your blog. Your story, along with the Stoesz'z, the UOO hosting trip, and the Rahn's, opened our eyes to the adoption of older kids. I just wanted you to know. Also, Heidi says you are the best blog writer she has seen, the likes of which I hope to emulate one day.

Marlen & Oksana - Thank you so much for your eight-hour journey to fulfill a promise we made to two little girls. We can't express adequately in words how much we appreciate what you did for all of us. We look forward to meeting you one day soon. Thank you for your permission to post pictures of yourselves. We want to show everyone our new friends in Ukraine. Friends that picked up the cross that we could only take so far. God bless both of you!

Happy Sisters!

Oksana and her husband, Marlen did it! They drove four hours each way to visit the girls for us! They took the girls a texting capable, camera equipped, slider phone that Zina wanted. The girls were very excited to see them and to know that once again, their parents are going the distance and are consistently caring and concerned for their welfare. Oksana said the girls were so sweet. The girls and their caregiver invited them to come again as well. She said that she will do it, "with pleasure".

Oksana said that the director would not give any information to her and she agreed that she, as a stranger, probably shouldn't be privy to such information. She said that the director thinks that we should come there first and he spoke of what amounts to an invitation. This is a good sign as we want to visit this summer and discuss the girls situation with him. Oksana said that he is a good director and that the girls are in a very good orphanage. Zina said that he is a caring person and he cares about "his" kids. It is great to know that the girls like and respect their director and not dreading every waking hour.

So, that's the latest update. We are planning a visit to Ukraine to see R & Z in June. Keep praying for us and keep the UOO Garage Sale in your mind. We appreciate you donations of gently used, second-hand items! April 26th is right around the corner!

We need your stuff!!

Before I get to the latest happenings with Rimma & Zina, I want to say, "We need your stuff"! That is, Ukraine Orphan Outreach (UOO) needs your stuff! UOO is having its first annual garage sale on April 26th. This is one of the many ways we raise needed funds to host children. We need about $22,000 to make the hosting camp happen and we are halfway there. In case you didn't get a newsletter, the camp is slated for the July 28- Aug 15 2008 time frame. We are busy collecting items and we aren't above dumpster diving, bugging friends for stuff, and of course this plug! You can save your items for your own personal garage sale and donate the proceedings or you can let us come pick it up for you! See the UOO website at http://www.ukraineorphans.org/ under contacts for phone numbers. Now, you may be thinking, "Felix, I want to have my own garage sale and keep the $$." Can ya hear your conscience talking to ya? It's saying, "C'mon, give it to the orphans!" OK, I made that part up...but we really need your help! We will offer receipts for donated items that may be used at tax time, too! So, let go of that collection of David Cassidy albums, already. Somebody else needs that!

Now for the news. We received 2 more letters from Zina. The letters are in Russian, of course, and we are having them translated now. A Valentine was included in one of the envelopes in the shape of a heart. I said, "I Love You" in English and Russian, in Zina's writing. The letters have cute drawings on them and are brilliantly colored. She puts a lot of time into each one of them!

Our friend, Fran, was not able to travel to Kherson. She is having all sorts of trouble getting Marina home early. We understood that she needed to focus all of her energy on Marina and we are grateful for her attempts. Fran is full of the Holy-spirit, but we could tell in her postings that she was getting worn down by the bureaucracy that is Ukraine. Alas, the Rahn family at home will have to wait a year to get Marina. God bless you Fran! Read their story at http://www.rahnjourney.blogspot.com/ . Nancy Hathaway with Heart for Orphans (traveling with Fran), did make it to Kherson and we will talk with her soon about her findings.

Our friend and translator, Lilya, has a friend that lives in Simferopol. Her name is Oksana. She and her husband are driving to the Kherson orphanage this Sunday (March 16th) to bring R & Z a cell phone with texting and camera functions. Oksana and Lilya used to work together in the orphanages, so her heart is with helping the orphans of Ukraine. We gave her Zina's number and she said that they had a long conversation about R & Z's needs. Since Oksana knows Lilya, Zina was at ease and trusted her. Oksana is eager to go and she will bring the phone, more stamps, and talk with the director again about the registration issue.

We have met so many wonderful people all over the world to help us with R & Z. Too many doors are opening for it not to be God's hand in all of this. Keep praying for Rimma & Zina. We can feel it and they can too...

...and call us to come get your stuff! Heeheeheeheehee! Thought I forgot about it, didn't ya!

Hello from Kherson

We talked with our girls this morning. They said that they had been waiting for us to call and they were their usual "bubbly" selves. We chit-chatted about Karen's visit, asked them if the jeans fit, if they got the stamps and envelops we sent, and if they needed anything. Zina, as usual, needs nothing. Rimma said she is growing up and as a result her clothes are getting small; she asked for some tops and pants. Zina said her jeans fit perfectly and Rimma said hers are a bit too big in the waist, but she knew she would grow into them. Rimma liked the sparkles on the jeans. Both girls were extremely grateful.

I got to use some of my new Russian words with them and they thought that I was good with what I knew. Zina wanted to try some English and it was great. They are really trying hard, we can tell. Rimma shocked us with a perfect sounding "Thank You" after we complimented her about something. I say shocking because I was expecting all Russian and she just popped it out.

We ended the call by asking them what each wanted to grow up to be. Zina wants to be a fashion clothing designer and Rimma wants to be an actress. Please God let us bring our girls home one day so that they may realize their dreams and glorify your works.

Staraz Burivka Kids

Here is one of Karen's photos from her visit Friday to the Staraz Burivka orphanage - these are more of the kids from our December camp. Oooooooohhhhhhh my. Good kids. I miss them all.

More good news. Today I found a translator for our telephone call to the girls on Saturday. She's a native Ukrainian and lives in Thornton. Wish us luck!

Kherson Kids

More good news. Today we received an email and many photos from Karen Springs. She visited the children at both orphanages last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

In this photo Zina is letting us know that she got the gift we sent her via Karen. We wrote, "We love you Zina" on a UOO business card and tucked it in the pocket of her new jeans. Here she's holding it up for us to see! Smart girl!!

No specific news on the registration of the girls yet. The director told Karen that he is working on it...

Another Door Opens

Great news! Yesterday we heard from Oksana, a friend of Lilya's who lives in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine. Oksana and Lilya worked together for Project Sasha - a group dedicated to helping homeless children, underpriveledged children and orphans.

Oksana's heart is with the children (just like Lilya) and she has offered to help Zina and Rimma and UOO with our goals in Ukraine. Despite the generous help we've received so far, we still have a long list of needs for the girls...a new cell phone with texting capability, an English tutor, and help planning a visit for us sometime in the future.

We feel very blessed about the ever increasing army of people standing with us to help our girls!