Ukraine Trip - The House of Bible

I want to say something about the fine folks at The House of Bible. Yep, that's what it's called, and that's where we stayed. When Heidi and I made plans to go to Ukraine, we were told that we would be staying at a place near the orphanage, and that it was cheap. Heidi usually program manages our trips to the finite details. But this time, we just let go and let God guide us on our journey. Now, to the ordinary person, this sounds preposterous - traveling halfway around the world without reservations for a place to stay. We really felt calm and at peace as we put all our trust in God and our caretakers from AGAPE and CBN.

We arrived at The House of Bible on Sunday, before we went to see Zina. What we saw was a nearly-new two story building with fantastic landscaping and exceedingly clean. It is a gated structure with a security guard posted at the front door. On the first floor, The HOB has offices for it's staff, a meeting room in the back, and a bible and book store. Travel up the side staircase and you go up to the second floor where there is a TV room, a kitchen, and a single room. It is in this room that we stayed. It was wonderful and clean! It had a queen-sized bed and a separate bathroom. We loved it! As promised, the HOB was only two blocks from Zina's orphanage. It was a quick 10 minute walk there and another 20 minute walk to the market area where we bought groceries, changed money, went to the Internet cafe, etc.

Enough about the place, HOB was more than a structure. The people that worked there were special and wonderful followers of Christ. It wasn't a job to them, it was a place were friends and family came to do God's work. There were a few faces there that I still see and I remember our host, Svetlana, the most. I don't have a picture of her, but I can still see her smiling face every morning and her eagerness to serve. She made breakfast for us each and every morning. It was the full course, too. We were very impressed with her presentation and ability to make a several course meal everyday. What a wonderful person and friend. We didn't speak each other's language, but we understood her generosity. We saw Svetlana a few times at different church services throughout the week, too. On the last day we gave her a gift. She adored the scarf that Heidi had picked out for her. We tried to give her a small cash gift too, but she wouldn't hear of it. She explained that we were her friends. She said that she loved us several times in English and it was very hard to leave her. We hope to see her again, next visit.

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.

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!

Day One - Ukraine Trip

We arrived safely in Kiev this morning at 9 am. All went well during the flights (we flew Denver to JFK to Kiev). Needless to say, we were exhausted. I don't sleep well sitting up. We processed through Customs and Immigration with no problem by stone-faced officials. From that point on, ALL Ukrainians have been more than hospitable. We are being treated like royalty and it is a bit embarrasing. Meals here, meals there. May I do this for you, do you need a driver, can I get this/that for you! WOW! I love this country, not because I am getting special treatment, but rather, the remarkable spirit and kindness of her people. I hope our future SDA appointment goes as well.

Karen Springs picked us up at the airport and ushered us to her apartment. We rested, freshened up, and went on a tour of Kiev. We saw Independence Square, the Cathedrals, and the SDA building. Please, please call us SDA!! We saw the infamous side door where the facilitators used to have to wait in a physical line. We went back to Karen's apartment and had a fabulous dinner of homemade chicken-pot-pie! We rested and talked some more before packing up for the taxi ride to the train station. Again, the driver was a friend and associate of Karen's which translates to inexpensive and trustworthy to us. In fact, we have taken several rides from friends here and we have yet to experience the wild and crazy driving that we have heard of from others.

We got on the train around 10 pm for the overnight ride to Kherson. This was the first time being here that things felt erie. Before we got on the train, we waited outside on the platforms where it was dark and a bit dingy. Overhead we could hear Russian commands being barked by a load speaker and people were standing around waiting. Sometimes I would catch a stare or glance. it felt like something out of a WWII movie. A bit scary and worrysome. But, it was just my problem as no one bothered us and we got on the train without trouble.

The train ride was good. It was hot and stuffy, but the motion helped us sleep and we were still exhausted by the trip so far. We have not slept since Denver, really. We shared our compartment with two young Ukrainians, not related to each other. They were really nice. The boy, Pasha spoke English. He spent some time in England, he said. The girl, Natasha was quiet and reserved. I hope I didn't keep them awake, I snore when really tired. We said bye to them when we left. What wonderful, yet unaware ammbasadors of their country, they were to us. God bless the people and the nation of Ukraine!

We will post pictures of all this when we get back to the USA. Our internet cafe does not allow us to upload pictures. Bye for now.

Last post before leaving

Hi everyone, this will be the last post before we leave. We still have much to do and Heidi says I have to get off the computer and help! Our contact that has close ties to the director secured permission to see Zina and our visitation to the orphanage. Yeah!! Perhaps by meeting the director, we can get the Summer host trip of Rimma and Zina back on track. Baby steps, Felix. Baby steps!

I used this picture of Zina before back in January, but it portrays what I think our reunion will be like. She doesn't know that we are coming, but she asks Oksana every week when they talk. She will no doubt be surprised and ecstatic to see us. We hope to see her everyday we are there, but she does have school to attend. I wish there were someway to see Rimma, too. We shall see. Again, baby steps, Felix!

We will take the laptop, camera, and a daily diary. If we are unable to post, I will update you on the daily events when we get back. Everyone knows we are coming, it seems. Natalya (SB director), Marianna (Agape ministries), Oksana, and of course, the girl's director, Nicolai. Ukraine, here we come!

Talk to the Hand!

Well, my fears have been realized! We got word from Frontier Horizon that the director has changed his mind and will not let the girls come on the hosting trip at all. He obviously has issues with us and he keeps bringing up the pre-selection laws of his country. He doesn't understand that we are not trying to adopt the girls at this point and we are not going around the SDA. We simply want to host them, help get them registered, and provide basic clothing needs and love. Yes, we know we have to obtain adoption permission from the SDA and that we will have to wait for 1 year after they are EVER registered before we can pursue adoption. Children go on hosting trips every Summer.

A trusted acquaintance of the director was to meet with him yesterday and discuss us and the girls, the same person who can get us in to see the director and the girls. We haven't heard back from him yet. Perhaps today.

We are still going, though. I am quite a bit angry and I am trying to remember my Christian beliefs and attitudes as we muddle through this process. I will blow a gasket the likes of which have never been seen if we get outside the orphanage only to be disallowed an audience with him or Zina. There will be other wonderful tasks accomplished during our trip, but seeing Zina was the main focus. I just don't understand God's plan with all of this.

Getting closer!

We are going full-speed getting ready for the trip. Thank you to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. We are encouraged that we are doing the right thing. Only Divine intervention could have given us all we have been given since last Friday. For example:

• We are being picked up at the airport and then shuttled to a place to stay and rest.
• We will "tour" Kiev before getting on the train for Kherson, Saturday night.The train reservations have already been made and paid for by friends, we will reimburse.
• A place to stay has been provided for us, two blocks from the orphanage.
• The place we are staying is a Christian organization and only $20 a night.
• We will be given a favorable introduction by the someone who has a terrific relationship with the orphanage director. They are only a few of the people the director trusts.
• Transportation has been arranged by friends to the S.B. orphanages and to the Kherson baby house to visit and drop off gifts and packages sent by other families that want us to deliver things personally.
• We will get to see the kids from the hosting trip in December from Staris B.
• We will get to see Zina, we hope to see Rimma...but we aren't sure.
• We will get to see Oksana & Marlen.
• We will get to see Karen Springs.
• We will get to see Nataliya (the new director of SB and attendee of the December hosting trip) to work out details of the upcoming trip in July-August.

So you see, God's plan is working! We have been busy with details on this side such as packing, buying gifts, and knocking out last minute punch-lists. We plan on taking the laptop and posting, but if it doesn't workout for us, we will be sure to recap the adventure with words and pictures when we get back. Pray for us...we are scared to death!

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's
will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.Hebrews 10:36, NLT

New, Old Friends

We met Garth & Debbie when we went to Colorado Springs this weekend. I had Air National Guard drill for three days, but was able to get out of it for Saturday's Dave Ramsey program and dinner with the Hoffman's. God's children all know each other, even though they never have met before and that was they way it was with Garth & Debbie. We just picked up like we have been lifelong friends. What a wonderful couple. We laughed, ate, and prayed together for three hours before having to leave for home. I had a 7 am show time for Sunday's drill, but it was worth the loss of a few hours of sleep to be blessed with the conversation of "Old Friends".

Ukraine Bound!!!

It's official! We're Ukraine bound a week from today!!!

This morning we received word that we will get a favorable introduction at the orphanage if we visit. So I bought the plane tickets. I really believe that somehow God opened this door for us and held the ticket prices steady (and low) for the last few weeks.

I'm scared to death. I've never been afraid to travel, and I've been all over the world. But now I'm scared. But I need to slip into my "project manager mode" and work on train tickets, an apartment and and interpetor for our trip.

It will be a busy week. We want to meet Karen Springs in Kiev, meet Oksana in Simperfol, visit Rimma in Odessa (a two hour drive), visit the kids and Natalya at Staris B. (one hour drive), and deliver a friend's photo album to the Kherson baby house to show the director recent photos of a child adopted from her orpanage, and of course spend as much time with Zina as we are allowed. Whew!

We leave on 4/11 and will return on 4/21. Stay tuned!

Sad News

Today we learned that Rimma has been put into a hospital in Odessa Ukraine, a few hours southwest of Kherson. She tested positive for tubercle bacillus (TB) during a routine vaccination at her Internat. She will be there for two months, Zina said. Oksana called Zina and this is how we all found out about it. I read that this doesn't necessarily mean that she has Tuberculosis, just that she tested positive for tubercle bacillus and that if left untreated, it will develop into Tuberculosis. I'm not sure, though. Perhaps our medical friends could set us straight. We are glad that she is getting the care she needs there in Odessa. I feel the need to go to Ukraine more than ever, but we are not sure we would even see her. I hope she can still come to Colorado this summer. I hope that is not a selfish statement...I want that for her. Sorry if I'm not making sense, my heart is heavy and there is a dark cloud over the Rogé house right now.

Please pray for Rimma's recovery. Pray for Zina, too. She is missing her and worried. I'm glad that they have the phones, they can talk to each other.

Internat Longmont!

Well, there it is...Internat Longmont! Heidi is gonna get on my case! We both aren't pretentious people, so I'll just post this one picture. Heidi wants to be the "Old Woman in the Shoe", you know, the one who had so many children...I'll let you finish the rhyme! With our two girls and the possibility of adopting 4-6 kids over the next couple of years, we felt the need to have more beds and bedrooms. Besides, we practically stole it from a hungry builder who has been trying to sell it for three years.

For those of you who think I keep spelling Internet wrong, I assure you, it really is Internat! If you were wondering, an Internat is a type of orphanage that has a boarding school with it. There are Orphanages and then there are Internats in Ukraine. Some of the kids that attend the Internat go home after classes to their parents while orphans like R & Z live on the grounds and are wards of the State. I'm not sure if R & Z have "outside" children attending their school. Not all Internats have children attending from the community. In Ukraine, some parents use the orphanages as a way to raise their children. They put them there so that they can have three meals a day and get schooling. On the weekends, the parents visit their children and spend time with them. This is especially true of single parents. Many of our friends who have adopted from Ukraine have told us that they regularly saw single dads and moms visiting their kids. This explains why many of the children are not eligible for adoption. R & Z are not yet adoptable because of their registration issues...they have not had contact with family since they were 1 year old.

Still no texts from Zina. Although, we were awaken in the middle of the night by a text message in English that made no sense. It was from a Colorado number. Was this an April fools joke from one of our friends?

It is starting to look like the Ukraine trip may be off. Lilya said she was going to call the director last night. We are awaiting word from her. Oksana thinks that the director is very serious about restricting us. Fran and Nancy feel that he's not bluffing, either. We haven't bought tickets yet and we will make a decision soon once we get word from Lilya.

Father Knows Best

I had a total "Father" moment when we talked to Zina on Saturday. I asked her what is was she did in her spare time. She said she likes to embroider, go to church, hang with her girlfriends, and walk the streets. I immediately started worrying, but let it go and we moved on with the conversation. But for those who know me, I couldn't let it rest. So, a few minutes later I asked her to clarify for me what she meant. I was worried that she doddles along unprotected through the city streets alone. She sensed my concerned and laughed. She said that she never leaves the orphanage grounds and she walks on the sidewalk along the street(s) of the internat. She likes to get outside when she can and she is with her friends when they walk. She explained that there are only a few girls in her class and they go together. She said Rimma accompanies them, but she doesn't count, because she is her sister now. How sweet! I breathed a sigh of relief and told her that "I was only being a concerned Daddy worrying about his little girls". She liked that.

Zina told us that she is receiving our morning text messages (Heidi and I send her one every morning when we get up). Lidya helped us with our problem of putting more money on Zina's account. Thanks, Lidya! We aren't receiving Zina's texts yet, even after we resolved the money posting issue. So this morning, we text-ed her the instructions in Russian that we took off the phone's website. Hopefully, we will start getting them soon. We will share them with you once that happens.

The girls said that they got their Easter cards that we sent last week. A record, 8 days! They really like getting mail now. Can you imagine being in an orphanage your whole life and just now getting mail, clothes, and love from a family you prayed for the whole time! If our friends and family would like to send them a letter or a card, just send it to us and we will include it in our regular mailings.

Our offer on the new house was accepted today, so we will be moving in a month. It's got more bedrooms and is bigger. We did this for the big family we want, Rimma and Zina included. Well, that's all for now. See you next time.