Since our successful court proceedings Monday, we have been elated. The 10 day waiting period starts today, and if no one contests the adoption, they will officially be ours on June 22nd (the adoption decree is valid on the 11th day). Amazing to think we didn’t even know Tanya or Viktor existed until December 23rd, less than 6 months ago!
Yesterday was another day of some frustration for Natasha and Viktor as they drove all over town, hoping to get Viktor’s signed petition for a new passport. After being jerked around by the local authorities, we still do not have that first step completed in getting his old passport (so that we can get it changed into a new passport, and eventually get a visa). Please pray!!! Natasha has been making calls to some higher ups and we are praying for success in God’s timing. She has been promised some success tomorrow. She still thinks it is possible to get everything done for the passport in the 10 day waiting period, but nothing is guaranteed. We need our God to move some mountains so we can take these kids home soon!
Last night we had a wonderful opportunity to meet some other American adoptive families through a ministry called New Hope Center. This ministry is run by an older Canadian couple who have been in Ukraine for 5 years now. They have planted a church, have a ministry to orphans (especially those who age out and need training for work), and help adoptive families connect while they are in Ukraine. We met 2 wonderful couples, one from Michigan and one from Ohio, who have their court appointments this week as well. It was so encouraging to hear their adoption stories, pray together for the family who has court tomorrow, and get a glimpse of how big our God is, and about his incredible care for orphans everywhere. Pray for them as well!
Last night we brought our 3 oldest kids along to New Hope Center, even though they didn’t really want to go at first. I loved watching T&V start off shy and stand-offish, and then begin to interact with the other kids there, until they were playing Foos-ball and laughing so hard you could hear them in the other room. I loved watching Anna fit in with the bigger kids, hanging right there with her big brother and sister, all of them having a blast. Viktor was class clown last night, making the girls practically die laughing. It brought so much joy to our hearts to see them enjoy themselves and just be kids.
When we got home and sat around the table for family devotions, it was our sweetest one yet. Scott read from Matthew 6 about our earthly treasures, and the kids shared their hearts. This time, instead of just Scott praying for all of us, we each took a turn praying (from youngest to oldest, the way we do it at home), and a mother’s heart never wanted to burst like mine did as I heard each of my oldest 3 children pray. You get a glimpse into someone’s soul when you hear them pray. To hear them thank the Lord for what he is doing, to ask for favor and success with the passport, to hear Viktor ask for direction for his life from the God of heaven, to hear Anna thank God for Tanya and Viktor and to be with Mary, Scotty, and Isaac, to hear Tanya thank the Lord for the simple things.....it was progress for sure.
Yesterday was another day of some frustration for Natasha and Viktor as they drove all over town, hoping to get Viktor’s signed petition for a new passport. After being jerked around by the local authorities, we still do not have that first step completed in getting his old passport (so that we can get it changed into a new passport, and eventually get a visa). Please pray!!! Natasha has been making calls to some higher ups and we are praying for success in God’s timing. She has been promised some success tomorrow. She still thinks it is possible to get everything done for the passport in the 10 day waiting period, but nothing is guaranteed. We need our God to move some mountains so we can take these kids home soon!
Last night we had a wonderful opportunity to meet some other American adoptive families through a ministry called New Hope Center. This ministry is run by an older Canadian couple who have been in Ukraine for 5 years now. They have planted a church, have a ministry to orphans (especially those who age out and need training for work), and help adoptive families connect while they are in Ukraine. We met 2 wonderful couples, one from Michigan and one from Ohio, who have their court appointments this week as well. It was so encouraging to hear their adoption stories, pray together for the family who has court tomorrow, and get a glimpse of how big our God is, and about his incredible care for orphans everywhere. Pray for them as well!
Last night we brought our 3 oldest kids along to New Hope Center, even though they didn’t really want to go at first. I loved watching T&V start off shy and stand-offish, and then begin to interact with the other kids there, until they were playing Foos-ball and laughing so hard you could hear them in the other room. I loved watching Anna fit in with the bigger kids, hanging right there with her big brother and sister, all of them having a blast. Viktor was class clown last night, making the girls practically die laughing. It brought so much joy to our hearts to see them enjoy themselves and just be kids.
When we got home and sat around the table for family devotions, it was our sweetest one yet. Scott read from Matthew 6 about our earthly treasures, and the kids shared their hearts. This time, instead of just Scott praying for all of us, we each took a turn praying (from youngest to oldest, the way we do it at home), and a mother’s heart never wanted to burst like mine did as I heard each of my oldest 3 children pray. You get a glimpse into someone’s soul when you hear them pray. To hear them thank the Lord for what he is doing, to ask for favor and success with the passport, to hear Viktor ask for direction for his life from the God of heaven, to hear Anna thank God for Tanya and Viktor and to be with Mary, Scotty, and Isaac, to hear Tanya thank the Lord for the simple things.....it was progress for sure.