We Have...

...visited with Yuri and Helen. They are absolutely precious and we have decided that this referral was "the ONE" we have been waiting for!!!! Can you hear me squeeling?!

The day started out very dreary and rainy. A bad omen, right? We went to the SDA at 11 to receive our referral papers and ended up waiting there until 12:30 before we had everything in hand. The first paper was signed but not stamped. The second paper was finally stamped but had Helen's birthday incorrectly marked on it. Third time is a charm. They finally had the paper fixed correctly and in hand so off we went to "Ibahkiv" (russian spelling).

Ibahkiv is a very small town about an hour from Kiev. The inspector and director were so obliging and helpful. It really is amazing to see the love that these people have for the orphans here. The orphanage had a huge playground and the insides were painted bright colors. Kids were running freely everywhere, in a good, sort of trustworthy way. We were greeted when we walked in with big smiles and lots of "good afternoons". I was so ready to meet the kids.

We went into the director's office to begin going over the files. This meeting was unlike our other two. To start with, the director asked a couple of questions about us, where we lived, what state it, etc. Then she says that Yuri is not there! Panic comes over me. He was taken to the hospital! Yikes!!! I literally went pale. Turns out, he was suffering from some flu like symptoms and they send the kids there as a precaution. Our driver and the nurse went to get him.

While we were waiting for them to come back, the director started showing us pictures of the kids, all of them, from there last couple of parties, etc. Then she flashed up a picture of Helen. My heart melted. All those feelings of doubt and nervousness were flushed away! She won my heart right then. Next she showed us a picture of Yuri making the weirdest face. I laughed out loud. No doubt in my mind, Yuri was the one.

Not two seconds later Yuri walks in, bright eyed and bushy tailed. He walks up to our facilitator and said "Good morning, my name is Yuri. What's yours?" He made his way around the room and when he got to Jim Bob, he shook his hand so affirmatively. I am smiling ear to ear as I write this!! Next walked in Helen. Wow, she was as tall as any 8 year old that I've seen. She was a little more shy at first. The director explained to them what was going on and asked them how they would like to come to America. Both said "yes" in plain English!!

We began playing with the kids then. They loved the fruit snacks we brought and our digital cameras. Can I say how talented my "kids" are! Here is a picture taken by Yuri...



Here is one that Helen (Elena) took...



Just a little sneak peek!! I could go on all day.

These kids are really great and that nagging feeling telling us to wait, hold off, use our heads really paid off for us. After our 18 months of waiting to travel and 28 full days in Ukraine, we have seen what the Lord has meant for us. Slava Bogu!!!!

We are trying to proceed with our court date asap, because, after all, we have been here for a month and we are ready to go home. We are also having to travel back and forth right now from Kiev to Ibahkiv. We tried the two hotels there. One was "bad" according to Yulia (the facilitator) and the other was really cute and small with the neatest "wilderness" decor but only had one room available for tonight only. Aaaarrrggghhh!!! Having our luck, you can't ask for the day to go any better than it did.

Thank you for your faithful encouragement. Your prayers mean the world to us!