Ukraine Trip - Sergei

My friend Sergei, what a fantastic guy! Sergei is a twenty year old Christian man introduced to us through the AGAPE ministry. I first met him at the AGAPE Monday night Bible study for transitioned orphans. He was a wonderful translator, having learned English in school and practicing it for further use in translation work. He said that he was a realtor, but that it wasn't working out. His great love is Christian hard rock music and he wants to play music for a living. Sergei translated for me while I spoke to the young people that came to the Bible study. We were filmed together when AGAPE asked me to be on their new DVD that they are working on right now. This is a big deal and AGAPE only puts out a new DVD every two-four years. This DVD is sent around the world to raise awareness and we saw the last DVD back in December when the kids came. I pray that this exposure helps Sergei in his future endeavors and that he gets noticed for the fine person that he is.

Sergei accompanied Heidi and me on the long trip to see Rimma. Not once did he complain or not want to be there. On the trip we learned that Sergei's family adopted two little girls. All week he spoke of his love of his sisters. When we asked him about them, we learned the story. It turns out that we share almost the same story as him and his family. This only drew us closer and his determination to help us talk with the girls and with his people intensified. Sergei was with us when Rimma came running into our arms and he saw first hand the love and concern that we have for her. I told Sergei many times that day that I was so very appreciative for helping make a little girl, whom he never knew, so happy. He told me and Heidi that is was evident that this girl is our daughter. He thought that she was very smart and observant for taking her time to decide about her adoption by us.

Friday would be the last day that I saw Sergei. We invited him up to the House of Bible after we got back that night. He had lots to say and was grateful to have the opportunity to serve. We told him that we would see him on the next trip and that we would pray for his future. Sergei, thank you for helping us all week. You were a great help when Andrea could not be with us. God sent you our way and it was his plan. May you be blessed in all your endeavors.

Ukraine Trip - Andrea

The next several posts will be about friends and helpers we met on our recent trip to Ukraine. I personally wanted to write about the two young men that helped translate for Heidi and me. They were Gifts from God...as are the other folks we will introduce to you.

First, there is Andrea. He helped translate for Zina and went on three orphanage visits with us. I believe Andrea said that he is 16. His father is the pastor of the first church we visited just moments after stepping off the train in Kherson. Andrea and his father along with his mother and sisters lived in Binghamton, NY for several years. In fact, his mom and sisters are still there and he and his dad came back when the pastoral-ship was offered to them. He said his mom will be moving back, too. Andrea looks like any American kid and he speaks English perfectly with an Ukrainian accent. We joked that he looked American and stood out in Ukraine, even to us. He remarked about my southern accent, too. He was in the US long enough to tell the difference.

I first met Andrea at the first Sunday service when he was asked to translate the service to me. I remember not looking at him directly, rather the side of his face as her did a wonderful job, hitting the highlights and important parts. I didn't realize at the time what a remarkable young man he is and that we had just started a lifelong friendship. God has a way of bringing his children together.

Later, after service, Andrea announced that he would be accompanying Heidi and me on most of our excursions and helping translate. I knew that he had school to attend and was concerned that he would miss it. His father and he explained that this experience would be good for him and more valuable than what he would learn in missing a day or two of school. So we relented.

Andrea was invaluable to us because he was younger, and our girls related to him more. He also understood American colloquialisms and sayings, so he "got it" when we said something out of the ordinary. Zina and Vika warmed up to him immediately and hit off from the start.

As Andrea traveled around with us, his eyes were opened to the plight of orphans and I sensed that he was moved by our's and AGAPE's mission. He worked extra hard to help us and volunteered many hours in doing so. Sometimes he just hung out with us old folks to exercise his English skills and to be with his new Christian/American friends. Andrea was always the translator that accompanied us on visits to see Zina and joined in on the fun when we played outside with her and her groupa.

On our last day with Zina, he saw a kid riding a worn out skateboard and commented that the one he had at home was in way better condition. I asked if he still used it and he said no and was thinking of selling it. I told him that he should bring it to the orphanage and donate it to them. I didn't give it much thought and the moment passed. While we were sitting on the plane in Kiev he called me and wished us a safe trip. He commented that he was going over to the internat with his skateboard to give it the kids. Andrea had not forgotten my off the hip comment and had taken it to heart.

Andrea has a compassion and heart for the kids he met while with us and has pledged to continue to visit the internats and orphanages long into the future. He even promised me to look in after Rimma and Zina from time to time and help keep them safe. I suspect that we will start receiving texts, calls, and letter from the girls more often due to his help. I know that we and the girls have made a lifelong friend and brother.

Andrea, you are a wonderful young man and I am proud to call you my brother and friend. Come stay with us anytime and keep in touch as we will do also. God bless you Andrea, thank you for bridging the gap for us between the girls and the people of Ukraine.

Home Safe

Well after 25 hours of traveling, we're home safe. It was a long, uneventful trip. Except for the text we received from Zina while we were on the plane, "I love you Papa and Mama, Zina." Wow. She is beautiful inside and out.

We arrived in Kiev on Sunday morning via the overnight train. The trip back was much better and cooler, so we slept well and for most of the journey. Karen met us at the station and we headed of to church with her. We enjoyed the company of new friends who are living in Ukraine from many different countries, doing God's work. And, of course, a wonderful message by a young pastor from Wisconsin.

We had a great lunch with Karen and did a little more sightseeing before heading back to her apartment to rest up. Later, Karen made a wonderful dinner and we watched one of the dozen movies we brought, but were too busy and tired to see while in Kherson. We slept soundly, knowing we did all that God intended for us and that the girl's registration was ushered along due to our intervention. I enjoyed speaking to all the churches, Bible study groups, and kids during my visit. God used me in a way that I never thought possible and I want to continue my new-found gift.

Day Eight - Ukraine Trip, Part Two

Our day with Zina continues and we manage to get out side with her, Vika and most of the kids from her groupa. Zina wears her hair down all day and she tells us, "America, yes!" We understand that during the week, the girls pin it up and she is telling us that she wants to wear it down when she becomes an American. It's subtle things like that that Zina does that touch our hearts and keep us in utter amazement that no one wanted this child. God was waiting on all of us to bring us together...see, there's that God's Plan title showing up again!

I did mention that our friend and translator, Andrea, showed up later in the afternoon.While she understands most of everything we say and can speak a good number of words, it is the deeper, more understanding conversations we need help with. We needed to ask Zina if there were any pressing questions she had for us. She has no problem talking to us about things that concern her. She trusts us and in her mind, we are her parents. She asks about the "documents" again, as she puts it. We explain that we came to find out more too and to get people to help with the process. We told her that we were met with a favorable response and that the hope is to have her paperwork done by end of Summer and then wait the required 1 yr for international adoption. She has heard this before and is very happy that we are going through all the trouble for her. I tell her that no mater what, NO MATTER WHAT, we will never abandon her and we will come to see her. We hope the process is done in a timely manner, but we can't control such things. We will take care of her and Rimma's needs, we will never give up, and we will always be there for them. No tears this time, just all smiles as we explain difficult material. Last December, I was a basket case. Now we are family, no matter the distance, the governments, or what a piece of paper says. The biggest concern for both girls was the fact that they are worried that one of them will be adopted before the other, they don't want to be left behind to wait. Rimma asked Friday and Zina asked today. We told them both that the "plan" is to adopt them at the same time, but that we can't control that either, except to put off adoption of them until both are ready. We will cross that bridge...if we ever have to, at a later date. Both were OK for now with our answers.

We needed to have a conversation with Vika next, alone. Heidi took Vika off to the other side of the playground with the translator while Zina and I had some alone time. The Carmans asked us to have a conversation with Vika. Since this is a private matter between the Carmans and Vika, all I will say is that Heidi conveyed exactly what we were asked to say.

We spent some more time outside playing Ukrainian VB. Just a term we made up since most of the VB rules were tossed out the window. The VB area is paved with 50 yr old asphalt at the end of a make-shift soccer field. So every now and then, we dodged in coming shots on goal and the occasional out of control player. The kids playing soccer were of unusual age and size, so I'm not sure if they were orphans or not. There were some big guys there and it worries me that people can come and go without question. We were allowed to just walk on to the premises everyday and so was Andrea, our translator. Often times we would bump into several "former orphans" that had timed-out, moved on, and were just back visiting friends. Strange situation. Heidi went for bananas earlier in the day when we got back to the internat, and she saw Vika at the market, four blocks from the orpanage by herself. The caretakers sent her on an errand for frames for the cross-stitching art the kids make. She joined up with Heidi and went to the market with her, The caretaker did call on her cell phone to check up on her while Heidi was with her, so that's good. In their defense, the caretakers do monitor their kids, Kherson is a safe place, the market is only four blocks away, and only the older kids can go out like that.

At the end of the evening, we go back upstairs to the groupa day room to say our goodbyes. Again, no tears or sadness is present for any of us. She knows we have to go, but we will return. We get hugs and kisses and we wrap up the visit. She needs to head off for dinner and we need to get to the train station by 8pm. We still have to go by the House of Bible (more on that later) and get our bags. My last glimpse of Zina is her happily bouncing down the hall to dinner. Goodbye for now our sweet Ukrainian Princess!

Sasha (Alex) with AGAPE meets us at the House of Bible and delivers us to the train station for the overnight ride back to Kiev. We say our goodbyes and leave gifts for him and his beautiful wife, Vera. Vera was very instrumental with the director. It seems Sasha and her have a special relationship with him. It was reported somehow that Vera told him the Rogés must adopt these girls. His heart was melted from then on and we enjoyed free reign. Sasha and Vera are Christians that could be enjoying a comfortable life in America, but God called them back to Ukraine to help orphans. More on them in a later blog, coming soon. May God bless them and their ministry.

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.