Day Eight - Ukraine Trip, Part One

Day Eight, our last full day in Kherson. We wanted to give at least one full day to Zina and her groupa, so we planned to spend all day Saturday doing nothing else. When we were traveling to see Rimma on Friday, we received a call from Zina. We were able to deduce that she wanted to be with us on Saturday, too. She kept trying to explain something in her limited English, but couldn't express it adequately. We handed the phone over to our interpreter, Sergei, and he told us that the groupa was going to a museum at 10:30 am on Saturday and that she wanted us to accompany her. We gave a hearty, DA-DA and told her we would be there at 10:30 sharp. We asked if it was OK for us to tag along with her, the groupa, and her caretaker and she said, "Of Course!" Throughout the week, that has been the Ukrainian way of saying "yes". Everyone does it, including Zina.

So, we got up around 9 am from our exhausting but rewarding trip to Odessa. We had just finished breakfast when Zina called. (By the way, when I say Zina called...this is what happens. It cost for her to call us, so she "drops" a call to us or sends a free text msg saying to call her. We in-turn call her back.) She is frantic about something and we don't understand. We called another interpreter friend who calls her and finds out that the museum tour starts at 10:30 and they have to leave at 10 am. She has told us the wrong time, we aren't there, and the caretaker wants to leave at 10 am sharp. It is 9:50! We immediately launch into action and start power walking! The place we staying is only two blocks away, but it seems like an eternity as my legs start to burn from the fast pace. Halfway there Zina texts us again and we call her, explaining that we are 5 minutes away. We arrive with no time to spare and show ourselves up to her third floor living quarters. The groupa is waiting, but happy that we have arrived. It is all smiles and hugs from Vika and Zina. We are introduced for the first time to Zina's second caretaker. She is a younger woman and pleased to meet us. We ask Zina if she received the gift we left for her and she says yes.

We head out to what will be the best day of the trip...and all of the days were spectacular! We took the bus to the museum with the kids and we payed 2 grivnas for two bus trips, the equivalent of 40 cents. We enter the museum hand in hand and find out that the museum is about the forced famine of the 190's by Stalin. This is a sore subject for all Ukrainians and we listen to a guide explain to the kids the events during that time. Vika and Zina are less than interested and for the first time of the week I go into father mode and shush them, telling them to be respectful. They straighten up and for the rest of the tour they listen attentively. Later I find out that they are taught this in History class and were bored.

We discover that the trip back to the internat will be done by walking through the city center, past beautiful parks, a few carnival rides, and about 5 miles of pavement. We were happy for the slow pace and exercise. Heidi, the girls and I, made the whole trip back holding hands and taking pictures. Vika became my new buddy, never leaving my side and holding my hand. Whenever we had to break, she came running back to grasp my hand. What a wonderful girl! Our friends, the Carmans, plan to adopt her this year or next. That makes us happy as she and our two girls will be reunited one day in Colorado. Anyway, I arrange the four of us so that I can hold both girls hands. I'm such a softy, but I love these young ladies, one being my daughter.

On the walk back, we pass many parks and a few carnival rides. The caretakers (there is another groupa with ours) stop and tell the ticket agents that the kids are from the orphanage. It seems that there is a law or something that allows all orphans to ride the bus for free, get into events for free, and go to the movies for free. I'm glad that they get out on the weekends and aren't locked away from society. The kids get on a few rides and have fun. On the centrifuge, the girls talk me into going with them. It was fun, despite my fear of the rusty, Soviet era contraption flinging itself into the sky. When we get done, the girls ask Heidi to ride the "umbrella" cars with them. She has the same fear, having noticed the duct tape job on the hinges of the car ahead of her. We live through it and the kids are overjoyed. Vika and Zina are beaming with joy. Zina has cool parents that aren't afraid to try anything. My heart soars when I see her being a kid and enjoying life, despite her situation. Zina always makes the best out of any situation.

After doddling along for a couple of hours in downtown Kherson, we arrive back at the internat. We go up to the girl's room and spend a couple of hours with them. Sooner than later, the boys show up and Heidi gets treated to a picture album show from one of the boys named Toly. I play computer games with Zina (I had brought the laptop and she remembered the games on it from December). She also gets a look at all of the weeks pictures we took. After two hours, the battery dies and I use this excuse to put it away and get back outside. (Never mind that I brought the power cord). We get outside for a game of volleyball with the kids. Our translator friend, 16 yr old Andrea, shows up and we play VB with no net. More on Part two.

Day Seven - Ukraine Trip

Day Seven now. We traveled four hours by bus and an hour by taxi to see Rimma. She has been sent from her orphanage to a sanatorium for a positive result on her TB test. We were given the address by R & Z's internat staff. We don't know what to expect or how long we will visit. We picture her being confined to bed and only seeing her for a few minutes. Much to our happy surprise, an older man asks us who we are there to see and calls for her. She comes running out and we spend the next few hours together. She hugs us both and we show her photos of her visit in December and recent photos wit Zina. She tells us of a friend from her internat that is with her and asks if we want to meet him. His name is Sasha and he spends the next few hours with us too. After a couple of hours a crowd gathers (children there in the sanatorium) and this embarrasses Rimma. She becomes quiet and shy and we just let her go with the flow of things. Later, the kids all go to eat and Rimma hurries back with Sasha and we are alone again. Rimma is quiet and reserved for the rest of the visit. I take this time to explain to her the findings of her registration. I assure her that we will come for her and that we are happy that she chose to be adopted by us. She asks a few questions, mostly about her adoption with Zina and who will be adopting in addition. Zina has told her about the possibility of other children. We explain the situation and she is good with it. I tell her that I was glad that she herself made the decision to be adopted by us and was not pressured into it. We explained that she has the power to make her own decisions and choices and that it was not to be taken lightly. We told her that we are happy to be her parents. She is not yet calling us Mom and Dad, so we will give her space and time. Besides, she follows Zina's example and is separated from her until Next week. She will get to return earlier that expected. She told us she will go back to the internat on April 30th. We say our goodbyes and get into the taxi. It is another 1 hour ride back to the bus station and 4 hours by bus to Kherson. We are happy to have made the trip and made a little girl happy. She thanked us for the clothes, gifts, and photo album. God, take care of our little Rimma!

Day Six - Ukraine Trip

Today, Day Six, we traveled to Stari Zburivska to see the 13 kids that came to Colorado in December. We also want to see the 8 kids that are coming this July-August. We pull up and immediately the kids start showing up outside. They don't usually get visitors because they are so remote. We see Natashia, the soon to be director. She knows us, having been one of the caretakers last December. We are expected and they are all happy to see us. We see all the familiar faces and smiles from the hosting trip. Suddenly and to my surprise, a little guy grabs me around the waist and gives me a big hug. I look down and it is Ruslan, the little boy who stayed in my house along with four others (R & Z included). He say "Hi" and lean down to hug him. He starts crying tear of joy and we hold each other for a few minutes. All the other kids see this and surround us. We are enveloped by a hundred kids or so.

We see the facility, join a birthday celebration for all kids born in April, and have lunch with Natashia in her office. We get a meet and greet event with just the 13 kids from December and the 8 kids coming. We take lots of pictures and spend a couple of hours catching up. The boys get letters from UOO folks and we share a treat of candy we brought. AGAPE invites us to sit in on a Bible class they sponsor. It is good to see the word of God being given to young kids. When it's time t go, we do so hesitantly and it takes awhile. Many hugs and kisses are given by the kids and us. They event is emotionally charged and was a gift from God.

We travel back to Kherson and go to church with the president of AGAPE, Alex (Sasha). We have hung out with him at most of his events and we will do a special post later about him. We meet Marianna, the lady who stayed in our house last December with the kids. She invites us to dinner and to stay with her at her house in Kherson for the night. We take her up on her offer and spend the evening catching up and sharing information. She has a church in her home and she and her husband conduct services. She has a beautiful family. We shower, go to bed, and wake up to our next adventure, traveling to Odessa to see Rimma.

Day Five - Ukraine Trip

Day Five now, another visit with Zina at the orphanage. They really have the best interests at heart with all of the children. We are given free range at the internat and come and go freely as we please. We hang out everywhere with Zina after she is done with classes for the day. Heidi brings a volleyball which we give to Zina and we play "pass the ball" with her and a few other kids for the rest of the afternoon. Heidi comments to me that she can't understand how a mother wouldn't cherish seeing the joy and happiness of Zina and that her mother is missing out on her childhood. I think we are missing out and I would love to hide her in my luggage back to America. She is our daughter now and she tells everyone at the orphanage that we are her family and parents when she introduces us. She makes a slip-up and apologises to me when she called my name today. She said, "Felix, oops, I mean Papaska" and my heart soars. Hopefully, the good work we did today will help get her home sooner. Everyone there including the staff, say she is our daughter. Rimma, too. They all want us to adopt them.

On Sunday, we met Zina's caretaker and orphanage Mom. We see her again today and see welcomes us like we have been there all along. On Saturday we will meet Zina's other caretaker. The way it works is that there are two caretakers for Zina' groupa, all in the 5th grade. The boys and girls go to class together and have a common dayroom where they study, do homework, play video games, and do cross-stitch. The girls share one bedroom and the boys share another. One caretaker lives with them Sunday to Wednesday, the other Thursday to Saturday. They eat three times a day and on weekends they sometimes take field trips, walks, go to a movie, or a carnival ride. The orphans get free passes to the buses and events, so they pay nothing. The caretakers go with them on these excursions.

Zina has to do homework and get ready for dinner and bed. SO we take off to out next appointment with AGAPE. They take us to a bible study at Technical School #6 - a boarding school for underprivileged youths and former orphans. It is here that Heidi and I see the most need, the most pain, the most neglect. These kids are struggling to get a foothold in society. All are learning a trade to get jobs. This is not an AGAPE school and they are on thin ice most of the time with the school officials. They come once a week and conduct a church service/Bible study for the kids. The officials permit them entrance and we are warned that we can't overstay our appointed time. I see most of the same kids that came to the bible study in Kherson on Monday night. I speak again that night and give a little message. Kids are coming and going as most are not interested. We meet a kid that we saw Monday night named Andrea. He is really interested in us and our mission and asks tons of questions. My heart goes out to him.

Did I mention that AGAPE has a van and goes and gets theses kids, sometimes 50 miles away or so, and takes them to these events. Or, AGAPE goes to them. It is the AGAPE van and driver, Vanya, that we get rides from all week. They are happy to do it. We will make a donation to them at the end of the week. We get home at around midnight and we are exhausted. DO you see now why we could not post all week. As we learn, all week will be like this. God said come and see your girls, but he also had an ulterior motive. He wanted us to minister to his Ukrainian Angels. A job we are happy to do.

Day Four - Ukraine Trip

Day Four, Tuesday, has us back at the baby house where our friend, Carolyn Kahler, adopted Max. The "sour-then-happy" lady saw us and went to get the director. We were quickly ushered into her office where we presented her with the photo album from Carolyn. She was completely over joyed and cried as she flipped the pages. Heidi and I told her that Carolyn was extremely grateful for Max and that he was doing very well in America. She told us that no one wanted to adopt Max and he was passed by several families because he wasn't cute enough. She said it was God's plan that Carolyn get Max and she said he has blossomed under her care. She said that she always thought that he was beautiful and he has absolutely "flowered" and is gorgeous. She cried some more and then offered us a huge tour of her facility. We saw several baby groups and everyone was eager to show off their babies! The were all so cute! All of the caretakers were shown the photo album. They were all touched. We left a gift of a bible and she was ecstatic as she is an orthodox christian. Needless to say, we were welcomed back anytime.

Afterwards, AGAPE took us on a visit to see a house they bought for transitioning orphans. AGAPE owns several houses like this in an attempt to give "timed-out" orphans a start at life. The house was about 5000 sq/ft. and needs work. AGAPE says this is their biggest need. They need contractor and helpers to come over and assist remolding these homes, especially this one.

When Zina got out of school for the day, she called us. She said, "Mom, Dad where are you?" We asked her if she was done with school and she said yes. We hurried over to see her for a few hours before homework and lights-out. Zina's English is developing well, we can now communicate without much problem. We really only need a translator for some difficult topics and deeper understanding. I spend a lot of time just playing, watching, and holding her. She is definitely daddy's girl. WE love her dearly!

Day Three - Ukraine Trip

Day three, Monday, finds us at the Teremok orphanage. We travel with AGAPE and our translator. We are visiting and dropping off photos and presents for the director. Our friends, the Houghton's, adopted their son Adam here last year. We are happy to do this for them and we are warmly received by the director and staff. She tells us to say a hello to the Houghton's and thank you for the photo follow-up. She is excited to se that Adam is doing well and gives us a tour of her facility. The orphanage is nicely kept, but old. The staff does a terrific job of maintaining what they have. We are impressed and say our goodbyes. We are asked to come back when we ever come to Kherson.

We then head over to the baby house from where our friend, Carolyn Kahler, adopted her son Max. But, alas, we are too late, having arrived at 3 pm and we missed the director. We speak to a older lady who is putting on her jacket to leave. She is annoyed that we are asking her questions and rolls her eyes. She huffs and puffs and reluctantly allows us a quick audience. We pop open the photo albulm that Carolyn sent to us and her whole attitude and facial expressions change. All of a sudden we are heros of Kherson for comming by. We spent an hour or so and she is beaming with joy. She thanks us and asks us to come back tomorow to see the director, We say our goodbyes, take the photo album and leave.

AGAPE then takes us to their Monday night Bible study for transitioned orphans. I am asked to speak and give a quick sermon and talk on whatever inspires me. AGAPE also tells me that they are in the middle of taping a new DVD on their work in Ukraine and they ask me to be a part of it...yeah, I'm gonna be a movie star. Heidi and I have an AGAPE DVD from a few years ago and it is professionally done. I am glad to be asked. I do my sermon and all the kids listen very attentively. Hmmnn, perhaps I did miss my calling! My daughter always jokes that I like to get up on my soapbox and preach to her, hee hee! We gain many new friends and a few f the girls, ages 16-19, hang on Heidi's arm and wrestle for her attention. These kids are former orphans that AGAPE helps. They give them a safe place to live and help send them to a school of their choice. Along with regular bible meetings, church rides, and life skills training, AGAPE is making a serious attempt to change un-adopted, family-less kids succeed.

The girls won't let go and we take them all to OSKAR's for dinner. Oksana, a beautiful 18 year old girl, wants to sit by me and ask questions. We all enjoy a Ukrainian dinner, share stories, swap e-mails, addresses, and phone numbers. Please ask us for their information if you would like write or e-mail them. They need guidance and love from Moms they never had.

Day Two - Ukraine Trip

(Heidi here this time) Sunday morning we arrived on the train in Kherson around 10:15 a.m. (The train was not as bad as some people claim - but I'm sure it would be a lot harder with a few Russian speaking children in tow.) Agape's driver Vanya was waiting for us and spotted us right away. He drove us straight to church service - we were about 45 minutes late to the service, and they had seats waiting for us in the front row. A visiting Ukrainian pastor from a church in Sacremento (http://www.asconweb.com/) gave the sermon. And Felix joined the stage, too, for a testimony which Sasha translated.

After church, we had lunch in a private dining room in a mall buffet with about 15 church members and visitors. The local pastor treated! I felt honored, but guilty. It was point and pick buffet, and the food was good!

After lunch the local pastor Anatoliy took us for a tour of the city. Kherson is truly a beautiful European style town. Then he took us to our apartment - a nice clean room with a private bath in a bible publishing building. It used to be the Agape office, but Agape outgrew the building. We rested for an hour or two, and then our driver and Anatoliy's 9th grade English speaking son (Andrey) picked us up and drove us barely two blocks to the orphanage. (Anatoliy's family lived in NY for 6 years, and they just moved back to Ukraine 6 months ago.)

We parked out front and walked around a few large buildings, our eyes searching everywhere for a hopeful glimpse of Zina. First we saw a group of about a dozen 3 year olds playing outside. They ran up to shake hands with Vanya and Andrey, and they were proud to report they had killed an ant. They were adorable. (There are no healthy children in Ukraine?!?) There was also a large group of teenage boys playing soccer in the field.

Zina saw us first, and she came running from across the playground to give each of us a huge hug. She wasn't too surprised to see us because an hour earlier she browsed the photos on Karen's camera and saw pictures of us in Kiev. It was wonderful to see her. We were all glowing with happiness. Andrey helped us translate and visit with Zina about how she was doing, her friends, school, Rimma, and our new house. We broke the news that we want to adopt a large family and she was a little concerned - she wanted to make sure she was included in it! Zina also said that she wants to come to our meeting with director to tell him that she wants to be adoped by us! Of course it isn't appropriate to put her in that situation, but it's tempting...

We asked Zina to take us inside to see Vika and Eddy, two more of the children that visited Colorado in December. Vika squealed and came running to hug Felix and I, but Eddy was not as excited to see us. We interruped his video game! Vika was busy with a cross stitch project with her caretaker, Victoria. They make crafts to sell at church to earn money to buy icecream for the orphanage kids!

Zina tried to call Rimma a number of times while we were there, but she couldn't reach her. Later Karen did get through, and Rimma begged us to visit her. We're going to try to find a way!

Sasha took us back to our apartment, and we met for about 30 minutes with him and the US paster. We talked about partnership opportunities between Ukraine Orphan Outreach and Agape, and we talked about our plans for the week.

On Tuesday Sasha is going to personally take us to meet with the orphanage director to talk about Zina's registration. Say a prayer for us!