Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Day 12 - Absolutely Nothing Happening

This is the part I don't like about Ukrainian adoption (well, apart from imposing new rules which go against SDA rules that are in place). The lack of information, the lack of courtesy of giving any information, and the lack of caring about giving any information to waiting families who are just sitting and wasting time. Heidi and I are burning through leave, away from our kids, and want to bring our daughter home.

Our facilitators are doing their best, but haven't been told anything either. We have been asked to stay on through the week with the possibility that news may come soon. If it doesn't, one or both of us may come home this weekend.

We visit Rimma for 2 hours each day after school. She's frustrated with the language barrier and is shy at trying to communicate with us, but it is getting better. The big ice-breaker is constant games of Go Fish in English.

We had a hard day yesterday. We were stopped or hindered at everything we attempted to do. It's funny now, but it wasn't so funny at the time. The first thing we did incorrectly was to assume that the number 8 bus goes the same route as the number 8 Martshuka. We got a traveling tour of some western neighborhood of Kherson. Oh well, we just figured that the bus would go in a circle back to our original boarding stop and we would recover. Nope! At the end of the line the money-taking lady spoke harshly at us and we explained that we must have missed our stop, in English. She demanded another 1.5 grivna (about 20 cents) to ride the bus further. We paid up and noted that the bus had simply turned around and was going backwards on its route. After several stops, the afore mentioned money-taking lady must have felt sorry for us because she was all smiles and friendly. She wanted to make sure that we got to the "central" street where we were looking for originally. Her warmness was a considerable spirit lifter for me and I cheered up for the time being. Having got off a few blocks short of where we were intending to go, we walked down to our intended target, the grocery store and lunch stop. The whole fiasco took an hour.

On our way back, we made sure we got the number 8 Martshutka this time. Well, not knowing the name of our bus stop near the Bible House and being stuffed in the back with iced over windows caused us to be dropped off a few blocks north of the orphanage which in turn is a few blocks north of the Bible House. We walked the eight blocks with groceries back to drop off the bags before walking back to the orphanage. Well, I wanted to lose weight.

After seeing Rimma and walking a few blocks north again, we thought it would be nice to use the internet cafe due to the sometimes spotty internet connection at the Bible House. Nope, sorry, no internet at the internet cafe tonight. Never mind that this is their singular reason to be open. Why not just turn the lights off and go home instead of luring weary, travel-ignorant Americans to your door!

After a light dinner at the restaurant across the street, we sought a taxi ride. No going wrong this time, right? After all, I have a business card from the Bible House complete with a map. Nope, this guy wants to continuously turn the wrong way and is smoking a cigarette with the windows up. At this point, I've had enough! I got to the room and just collapsed on the bed. Bad day complete, I pray for good days ahead.

The end of the week forecast is for the temp to be in the 20's & 30s, a virtual heat wave. I sure hope so. I need a little comfort.

~ Felix ~

16 comments:

Jim said...

I did the same thing on the #8 bus! When it didn't turn where I expected it to, I figured it would come back around eventually. I had to pay the lady twice, too.

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

Oh, guys! I don't even know what to say! Thus is the way of the Ukrainians, right?! Praying some light is shed on the situation soon. Prayers and hugs from afar.

Anonymous said...

You've been getting the literal run around! We definitely know how that feels! It sounds like Rimma and Anastasiya feel and react the same way about the language barrier. It's understandable seeing as how that's how we feel when we encounter their language. We all know in time it will get easier. Sorry you have to just sit around and get nothing done. Keep looking for the small blessings in it all!

Alan said...

I'm sorry to hear of your frustrations. All of the little things can add up to misery. Ukraine is incredibly frustrating. If it's not sudden new rules it's the flu or it's the weather or it's no passports or it's added expenses ot it's... whatever. I know there's nothing I can do back here but I've been thinking about you. Try to keep a good attitude. Easy to say I know. Blessings to you.

Heidi and Felix said...

Gee, Jim! That would have been useful information to know before we left :)
Felix

Anonymous said...

Whew! What a day huh? Maybe all of the detours were saving you from something...everything. :) Love you guys! Can't wait to see the kiddos this weekend. Still praying for you guys, the other families, the children and those stinkin rules. xoxo

Karen said...

All I have to say...welcome to Ukraine :)

Kevin and Pam said...

Oh yes, you know you are in Ukraine when things go from pointing in the right direction to going completely in the dark! God has got a plan and no official can change that! Only thing that kept us sane during times like this.

jandt said...

Keep on Keeping on. You do such a great job with describing the details that make life in Ukraine a challenge. None of them are horrible it just always takes about three times as long as it would at home. So glad to be at home right now. Even with the youngest not wanting to go to bed and crying for 45 minutes last night.

Rolan and Eileen said...

That happened to us only in Slovyansk. I couldn't figure out why things looked so unfamiliar until Rolan pointed out that we were going the wrong way!! Don't remember paying twice however but I do remember having to get off of the bus to get back on.

The McEacherns said...

I feel your pain. I just read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" to Isabel. Maybe we should have inserted your name instead! Praying that things are looking up soon, and that you and Heidi continue to look up (to the Lord) in the meantime! Blessings!

The DeHaan's said...

We hope you all hear something soon! We know all about the waiting and no info coming in soon enough. We're praying for you! And, we're also looking forward to the heat wave! : )

ArtworkByRuth said...

Would be funny if I didn't know you were walking in sub-zero temperatures! Hey, are you able to get us some music or DIV-Xs for our girl while at the Bible House (That is the church with the large Christian bookstore in the basement right?) I bought a bunch but felt like I needed to restrain myself in front of the local Christians showing off my "American Wealth". email me if you can. Thanks!

Stefanie and Bill said...

It is never "easy" when you are adopting from Ukraine. There is ALWAYS something to keep you sitting on the end of your seat, in the dark, wishing things were going faster when you are in Ukraine. Still, its funny how we who have done it once find ourselves going back, and in our case for a third time. If it makes you feel any better, if it wasn't the Interpol saga, it would be something else!
Hang in there!

Stephanee&Zach said...

Ah yes, can you imagine the laughter that the Ukrainians must have over dinner about the poor Americans riding in circles on the wrong buses :) We did the same thing in Zhytomyr - I guess the experience is not complete until you ride for hours on the wrong bus. I love Ukraine and can't wait to go back but I am reminded of the days where frustration levels went through the roof. Praying for wisdom as you try to make decisions with little info and for the barriers to be overcome so your girl can come home soon and you can get back to your other babies.

Unknown said...

Hoping that the situation will be resolved soon. In the meantime, keep warm!

About Us

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Longmont, Colorado, United States
Heidi loves to play sand volleyball, sail and garden. Felix loves to fly at the local aeroclub, sail and fish.