Nicolae/food

A funny thing happened on the way to our new apartment in Donetsk the first day here. With the luggage and N., O., and our driver we had to take an extra taxi. Brianne and I stayed w/the luggage and Trent went w/N. and O. and the other driver. I was a little nervous about getting in a separate car from Trent and our 2 English speakers. Nicolae only new a few English words and we had just met him. At one point they turned off and we kept going and I tried to ask Nicolae if he had seen them. We thought we were going to the government offices, but they had decided to go see our new apartment first and see if we liked it. Nicolae turned into a back alley beside some apartments and I was getting a little nervous. No communication and no one I knew in sight and the area didn't look so safe. Thankfully, within a couple of minutes the others arrived and told us where we were. Since then, Nicolae has become very dear to us. He is quick to grab any bags that we have and offered to help Trent up the stairs (about 5 flights) one night after he had turned his ankle. He has given us delicious mandarin oranges and always looks out for us. It's funny now to look back on that day when I was unsure about him and nervous. Today we were arguing about whether or not we would pay for his food (which was only stew, juice and a piece of bread). Finally, the cashier said "Yes or No?" To which I replied yes and he replied no, but finally gave in. Again, God has surrounded us with wonderful people.

It was quite funny to see us toting all our rolling suitcases through the train station and into the car. We "thought" we packed light, but realized it was still too much. Especially when we had to drag all of it up 5 flights of stairs here. I am glad that we brought a few snacks from home and some small gifts though. We also brought donations of toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes that were given through a dental ministry in my mom's church, FBC Hamilton. They filled almost a whole rolling suitcase (the size you can carry on). The director was very appreciative of the gift.

We thought we might lose some weight on this trip, but instead have found several foods that we really like. Of course there are many that repulse us as well. Brianne took a bite of a cresent roll dusted in powdered sugar only to find the surprise of minced figs (I think, although it look like mincemeat and smelled like mold) inside. To which she replied " that is the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted". The Borshch is very good, much like our stew, but w/beets as the base;however, I would never have guessed it. I LOVE Verineeke (need to look up the spelling on that one) which are like pierogies that are boiled or pan fried. The ones I had were stuffed with potatoes and mushrooms. We don't care for most of their bread or bakery items, but had some great rolls w/dinner one night and instead of butter they brought out small dishes of LARD mixed w/garlic and green onion. It was awesome. They top many foods w/sourcream and cheese. Like I said, we are not loosing weight! We walked to the corner store last night b/c Brianne wanted an icecream. It was literally frozen whipped cream sweetened with sugar! We have also had a little chocolate every day.

Nastia

Today's meeting with Lena's sister(Nastia) went well. She was very much in favor of her adoption by us. Lena was a little sad talking about leaving her sister and Nastia kept telling her not to be sad about leaving, but just to be happy b/c she was going to have a family to love her forever. She seemed very glad to meet us. She hugged us at the end and asked us to please take good care of Lena that she deserved it. Then Lena went to get Krystina again and we took more pictures. K. even played a little song on the piano for us. When she first came in, Krystina gave me a stuffed animal as a gift. She is a very sweet girl.

Documents/sister

Today our translator finished up the last of the documents that have to be sent via overnight train to Kyiv. She ran around most of the day between the internet cafe to type things up, inspectors office and the orphanage and even on to court to submit it to the judge but he had left 30 min. earlier as they closed down early for the day. However, it was very good that she at least completed all the documents with the many signatures required. Now, N. will pick up the documents in Kyiv and submit them to the SDA on Monday and hopefully we can request court date for next Friday. The SDA has up to 5 days to complete their paperwork that has to be done before court which might mean that we can't set the date until the following Monday, but I am optomistic that we will get Friday. Please pray with us for this. O. has been running to get everything done as quickly as possible and today at lunch she was just getting her food when they called that the inspectors boss had come in and was signing the last document so she took off without eating, leaving us there to eat while she picked it up and took it to court. We have been very pleased at how hard she is working to get this done.
Today we talked to Lena about the name she would like to have. Here, her name is spelled Olena, but she chose to change it to Lena to seem a little more Americanized, but still be somewhat the same. That was good w/us b/c it is what we are used to calling her. She also chose Nicole for her middle name. We gave her the ideas of Ruth, b/c her story has similarities to Ruth from the Bible, and Nicole b/c her father's name was Nicolae and in this culture they use the father's name in their name. Trent got to tell O. and Lena about the story of Ruth. However, Ruth seemed too different to her and the "th" is hard for them to pronounce, but when we mentioned Nicole she said she had been dreaming of that name. So it is being submitted as Lena Nicole Christianson for her new birthcertificate.
She was happy about her name but quiet several times today. It is alot to think about and there are big changes coming up for her. She was also concerned that she might not get to talk to her sister(24) anymore. We assured her that we would let her call from time to time. Her sister is coming to see her tomorrow all day and we are planning on trying to be there to meet her and take some pictures. She told O. today on the phone that she was willing to sign her consent.
Please pray that the meeting will go well and that her sister will feel comfortable with us.
A couple of funny stories:
Our apartment here doesn't have as many nice things such as dishcloths, extra blankets, or a drying rack. However, one blog I read suggested bringing a bungee to hang clothes and it has worked very well. We have missed the extra blanket though. Night before last Trent was having a hard time sleeping and our bed is very hard, there is no top sheet and the comforter is hardly big enough to pull across the 2 of us. So he got out of bed and came to the couch which pulls out to make it the same size as a double bed, but is equally as hard. Trent only had the throw which was laid over the couch. After lying down, he pulled the throw over himself and thought "I am sleeping under a rug!" It seems after examining it, especially the underside, that it is a throw run that they probably put on the couch after sweeping. Oh well, last night I slept on the couch and used it over an extra sheet I found and it wasn't too bad, at least it was heavy!
We have learned more Russian words and even how to read a few of them. Trent thinks it is funny that when we order water and want just regular bottled water you say, "vada biz gaza" which means "water without gas" in other words not carbonated.
Krystina and Lena shared a neat story with us about how they met. They have known each other for 4 years and so they are like family. They met in a shelter which is where the children go until all paperwork is done and the govt. decides which orphanage they will go to. One day Lena got her "porridge" but refused to eat it b/c it was so aweful. Krystina saw her and said, "hey, girl are you going to eat that?". Lena said no and allowed her to have it. Krystina had been there longer and was hungry even though it was so awful. They told us sometimes there were even flies in their borsche (it is like stew). Krystina was in the shelter 6 months and Lena was there a year, but at least her sister visited her and brought her some different food while she was there. Krystina is one of the most polite and friendly people we have met. She, unlike nearly everyone else we have met, makes good eye contact and smiles at us alot. I hope we get to see her again.

Has been foggy/drizzly every day.

pictures

train ride & Donetsk orphanage

The last 2 1/2 days have seemed like such a very long time. Tuesday night we got on the so-called "fast train" from Kyiv to Donetsk at 7:00 p.m. It was quite amusing! I am trying to figure out how to post pictures so that you can see. Our compartment was made up of 4 tiny bunkbeds that doubled as benches to sit on. That in itself was not bad. However, the smoke on the train was suffocating and we had to close our door because of allergies. It was also amazingly hot! Here we were worried that we were going to be cold over here and instead we were so hot one night in Kiev that it was hard to sleep and on the train it was so hot, the air felt heavy! We were in long johns for sleeping and boy was that a mistake. Our facilitator stayed in the same compartment and changed into a t-shirt (they don't tell you about those little details!) The bathroom was beyond gross, but thanks to reading other adoptive family blogs, I was prepared w/my toilet seat cover and tiny toilet roll! Brianne decided she didn't need to go that bad. The traine made about 8 jolting stops at towns along the way. We agreed that we had slept a matter of minutes on the 12 hour overnight trip. Brianne was so tired that she talked in her sleep the next night. We have never been so glad for a night to end.

When Trent put it into perspective, he said it was the worst day, but also the best day because the next morning we were able to go to Lena's orphanage. We arrived in Donetsk at 7:10 a.m.and didn't have room for 1 suitcase. They took it to the luggage area and said that it would be safe until they could come back for it. We went to a restaurant to get breakfast. Trent said the coffee was as strong as having about 4 cups at home! He was quite loopy after having it and climbing several flights of stairs at the adoption inspectors office. Brianne and I shared an order of pancakes which were like crepes w/yummy strawberry jam and a little chocolate syrup. They were very good. We also had fruit flavored green tea (fresh and infused at the table) very good. Then we went to the adoption inspectors office. When they knocked on the door and they saw us in the hall they called in N. and closed the door on us seeming very unhappy. N. told us that they said they were very busy and no one could go w/us to oversee the visit at the orphanage that day. They asked to copy all of our papers and maybe go the next day. We prayed hard in that little hallway. Over here, most Ukrainians don't look you in the eyes and especially don't smile b/c that implies a friendship. We couldn't even get them to look at us, but I was determined to make eye contact and smile and say "dobredeen" hello in Russian.

Our facilitator, N., went downstairs to make copies and Oksana, our translator went back in to talk w/them. In a few minutes one of the ladies came out, I stood up and made eye contact, she told me to sit and made a gesture that it was good. We were very surprised by her actions!
Oksana came out and said they were going to go with us that very day to the orphanage. I truly believe it was the power of prayer that changed things. It took a long time, but finally we were at the orphanage. They told us they were under prosecution and we could not act as if we knew Lena. They look unfavorably on hosting programs b/c many work as adoption agents or in cohorts w/them and it is unlawful here. The greatest moment was when we were waiting to see the director of the orphanage. One of the teachers mentioned to some kids in the hall upstairs that some Americans were in the office. Lena, as well as many other kids, decided to walk by the office and glance inside. (She had been told by the director that she might have parents coming for her sometime, but she did not tell when or even that it was us. ) As she walked by, she saw us and Trent gave her the sign to be quite b/c we couldn't act as if we knew her. She had the most amazing surprised look on her face. It was priceless!!! They she dropped back into the hallway, but it was obvious to the other kids that she knew us and much whispering ensued.

They came in and basically introduced her to us and we were allowed to talk or ask questions in case someone came in while we were talking( no hugging, talking about the summer, etc.) It was very hard, but she did well by not looking directly at us. When she happened to look, she would smile so big. She told them she wanted to be adopted and we sat while they filled out about a million forms and she signed her consent. We sat in the office for about 2 hours, answered questions and waited. Then we took forms back to the inspectors office and on to the notary. We were starving and tired and our driver, another Nicolae ,brought us a coke to which I almost hugged him! Finally, we were able to eat about 8:00p.m. last night. We learned that you eat when you have the chance and it's best to carry snacks with you! Our translator, Oksana, said she had never seen so much accomplished in one day. We got all the paperwork done from the orphanage except for the medical which was done this a.m. Now we are waiting for 1 other person to sign the medical paper and we send them by train to Kiev.

While waiting for the notary to do all the papers (about another hour), Trent presented the gospel to Oksana who said she also carried a Bible after Trent showed her his in our backpack. He used our pastor Dan's 5 finger points to tell her about what the Bible says. She said she was just in the stage of asking questions. She said she would like to accept Christ, but she was not ready then. Please pray for her salvation and that we can share more with her.

More Prayer requests: Medical will get signed and sent off tomorrow or as soon as possible. Pray for court a week from tomorrow (Fri.). So far we are a day or 2 ahead of schedule after meeting the child. That could all change so easily. Our facilitator, N. said last night, "I'll see you in a couple of weeks" and I said, "I'll see you in a few days " Again, our prayer is to get back asap for Blake.

We have been blessed w/wonderful people, even including our drivers. The one we'll have for many days in Donetsk is Nicolae. He carries bags, opens doors and gets us whereever we need to go while waiting for us as long as it takes. Today, we paid him about $70 US . He picked up O. at 8:30, picked us up and left us at 7:00 p.m. We keep asking him to eat w/us. It may seem like alot to pay a taxi and it does add up , but not that much for the time he puts in. Please pray that he will be blessed.

Lena was much more talkative today without the inspector present. She told us that she had wished alot for us to come. Trent asked if she would miss anything from the Ukraine and she said only her friends. She brought her friend, Kristyna, in to visit with us. We would like so much to find a home for her friend. She is 12 and brown headed. I will try to post a picture. She loves to dance and do choreography for dances for her friends. She loves to sing and said she won 1st place in a singing competition outside of the orphanage. She is very friendly and outgoing and has tried to learn some Italian. She has a folder of pictures of famous singers that she has collected and organized. She never knew her father and her mother died. One brother died and the older one and cannot adopt her. Lena will miss her greatly. We would like to host her this summer and try to find her a family in the states. It is so sad to see these sweet kids who don't have parents to love them.

Lena spoke some in English to us when the translator left the room. She said since she came to stay w/us last summer, she is the best in her English class and that she even helped a family and another orphan to communicate when the translator had to step out for a few minutes. Many of the older kids are told bad stories about Americans for reasons that I can expand upon later and there was a girl who had a family that wanted to adopt her but she wasn't sure. They asked Lena to talk to her and tell her that it was o.k. and to tell her good stories about coming to the U.S.. God is already using her for good.

It was hard to leave her and she can't come w/us at all b/c of the prosecution here now. We have to be very careful to follow all the rules. It was a good day and we feel blessed. Keep those prayers coming. We have definitely been looked upon w/favor by many here. Even the director brought in many chocolates and cookies and set them on the table today. Both days she has given something directly to Brianne, today it was a whole container of different chocolates! O. said she has never seen such a welcome....again I know it is the prayers. It has been an adventure and there is more to come. Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for this trip and for so many over here in the Ukraine. In God's eyes it truly is a small world.

we've arrived!

Well, we're finally here and hooked up to the internet in our apartment. We got in last night and had internet access here, but had the wrong converter for my computer plug. I've been anxious to get online and let everyone know that their prayers are coming to fruition! We had our SDA appt. this afternoon and were shown Lena's profile to which we agreed. It was very quick, easy and relaxed. We pick up the referral tomorrow and head out to Donetsk where Lena is at via the overnight train. Major praise!

We had a fine trip on the way over with an overnight stop in London which was actually a "layover" since it was exactly 24hours. The flight from Chicago to London was nice but not great for sleeping. They fed us dinner at almost 11p.m. and then were bringing breakfast at 3:30a.m. (Chicago time still). Brianne was able to sleep for about 3 1/2 hours in between meals. Trent and I didn't fare as well. I don't think I slept at all (I am quite the insomniac anyway w/out being on an airplane), Trent seemed to be sleeping some, but wasn't snoring so probably not much.

Despite the lack of sleep we hit the streets of London w/in an hour of arriving at the hotel. Not much time to see the sites, so we had to make the most of it. Although a nap would have been nice, we managed incredibly well w/out it and walked for 4 - 5 hours seeing the tourist hotspots. I was still going and ready to head over to the London Eye when Trent and Brianne outvoted me and opted for the hotel. We saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (both gorgeous), Buckingham Palace and the River Thames, London Eye, and more. It was definitely worth the stop but again my 2 cohorts weren't that impressed and had seen enough (too crowded for them).

The next morning we headed out to Kiev. Another nice flight and our first taste of Ukrainian food (fish/rice/cabbage salad w/out dressing with a chocolate that was amazing). It was better than expected and the rice was nice and buttery. When we arrived in Kiev there was a slight sense of panic as we did not see our facilitator. We were hit on by about 20 men offering a taxi, but none were pushy and one actually let us use his phone to call our facilitator. Her husband was actually there, but had not seen us come through. We learned quickly that Ukrainians walk very fast as none of us could keep up w/him as he lead us toward his car. He brought us to the apartment that our facilitator, Natalia, had set up and we waited in the car for her for about 20 min. When the landlord arrived he walked us through how to work everything, showing us over and over. Then N. showed up and was very prepared. She had a cell phone w/her # programmed in and a card for our computer so we can hopefully get internet access even when we leave Kiev.

Trent asked if the area was safe to walk in to which they replied yes and told us that the "whitehouse" and Ukrainian president only lived about a street over. It did not help that when we walked into our apartment the landlord showed how to lock the solid steel vault like door w/a bolt and then the inside door with a lock and a bolt! Our next mishap came shortly after coming into the apt. when Brianne locked herself into the restroom and we couldn't help her from the outside. It took her a while but she got herself out!

Today, our facilitator called and told us our driver had come early to take us to our appt. b/c traffic was bad. We quickly got downstairs finding the car she had described and "Nicolae" our driver. We drove for about 15 min. when he pointed out the French embassy and made a comment about the US embassy to which Trent asked if that's where we were going. He said yes and we said no. He kept driving saying our facilitator told him the embassy. I asked Trent to call N. and she cleared it up w/the driver. Who knows which one made the mistake, but praise God we made our way back through traffic and to the SDA in time. Actually, we didn't need to leave early and got there 35 min. earlystill. The gate was locked and did not get unlocked until 2:00 straight up. We waited in the freezing cold for a while and then joined Nicolae back in his car. In the meantime though, we visited street vendors and bought a beautiful nesting doll.

We were led up the stairs into the SDA office at precisely 2 (we were panicking again b/c she sent another facilitator who didn't show up until 5 min. til 2). We had also tried to call the stand in facilitator and N. on the cell phone she gave us which said it was out of purchased minutes.

We told them about hosting Lena this summer and showed pictures of her w/us which seemed to please them and they showed us her file, gave us a tidbit (literally) of background info., all of which Lena had already told us, and agreed to give us the referral for her. It took about 15 min. and went so smoothly despite all the little issues up to that point. Amazing! On the way back to the apartment, we stopped and bought minutes for the phone from a street vendor and went to the outdoor market (apparently for electronics) w/Nicolae and bought a 3 prong converter for my computer...yeah! Our other converter worked for everything else, but we missed the fact the the computer cord/protector was 3 prong. Again, we could not keep up w/the fast Ukrainian pace of walking. Every now and then Nicolae would look back to check and see if we were still there!

It has been a very interesting trip so far and God has worked all things out for our good. Please pray that things will go well in Donetsk and that the people in charge will look on us w/favor and this process will go quickly. We finally got to talk to Blake tonight after about 20 attempts on our new cell w/all the access #'s to call home. He talked to me for about 1/2 a minute and got off the phone. Mom told him to get back on and talk to me some more to which he replied "why?" He is definitely not missing us yet, but I'm sure it will come. We are missing him and I find myself saying, "this would have been really hard for him" on most things so I know he is having much more fun back in the good ole' USA.

I know this is long, but there's been so much happen since we left. Thank you all for your prayers and comments. Keep those prayers coming, God is good!

1 down, 2 to go and then who knows

We are in the Chicago airport. 1 leg of the flight, 2 more to go and then who knows....maybe a train or another plane when we find out what region we are going to. Brianne was excited when we landed b/c there was snow everywhere. Of course, she doesn't get to get in it, but it takes very little of the white stuff to excite a Texas girl. I am going to include "little known facts" in the blog as we go and I got my first one tonight...you can get a cup of ice water at Salt Lick in the Austin airport for 27 cents, but in Chicago OHare Airport you can get one for each of you from McDonalds for free! What a deal. Can you tell I'm bored...oh well, I'm sure we have an adventure ahead of us. Can't wait to see what God has in store.

dad

Dad went to be with the Lord on January, 1, 2009. He left a legacy of helping those in need and taking in those who needed a home from time to time as well as leaving a lifetime of love for his family and friends. While he was in the hospital Dad told me that he hoped to make it until we brought Lena home and I am sad that he won't be here to welcome her (or whoever the Lord has in store for us to bring home) with his usual open arms, but I know he will be rejoicing in heaven!