Another hurdle

Today was more than disappointing. Yesterday, we found out that our travel agent was not holding our new tickets home on the 12th. There had been problems about the additional charges and them telling us that we would have to purchase a brand new ticket for Lena w/out being able to change and we were working that out according to what was originally stated. Anyway, we sent numerous e-mails back and forth trying to find some way to get us back home early so I would have as many days as possible at home before coming back. Today we went to court at 1, made 2 trips to pick up the orphanage director and Lena and O. checked in w/court. When everyone was there, we all went in and they told us that court would be postponed.

Let me back up and say that their court building is like all the other old buildings here. Even the orphanage looks much nicer. We climbed stairs up to the 3rd or 4th floor and everything was completely dark except the light from 1 window at the end of a very long hall. Brianne even ran into the bench that we were to sit at and wait. Apparently, the electricity is out in much of the district. I had heard someone talk about electricity going out on a blog before we came and it took a few days to fix. We have tentatively rescheduled court for 8 a.m. tomorrow and had to try to exchange our tickets for going back to Kiev at 7 in the a.m. He mentioned that we would still have court, but have to move it to another building along w/the computer and other things they need and about 12 people involved which means hiring multiple cars and I can't imagine how long to get started again. Trent was livid! He wants to get home so badly. I was very disheartened. It seems to be a never ending process. The judge could have moved it somewhere else today, but O. said the higher up officials generally don't see the need to care for the people the are officiating over and after all he got to go home early.

When we got in the car, Nicolae could easily read Trent and patted him on the shoulder saying that it would be o.k. and not to be mad. He said that it was just their country and O. said he added a few words that didn't need to be translated. He was so kind and sincere. Then we had to go back to the orphanage to sign yet another paper. It's like the longer you are here, the more they think of that you need to sign. But I guess I will be thankful as long as we get all the needed paperwork done. Olga, the orphanage director, also told Trent to not be upset and that surely it would happen tomorrow. She said that sometimes we are given tests from above and that this could be one of those tests. It is hard for me to be too angry when you are receiving words of wisdom and compassion from the people who are working with us. I am grateful for them, but still we long to be home and with Blake.

PLEASE PRAY THAT ELECTRICITY WILL BE TURNED ON AND COURT WILL RESUME IN THE A.M. AND WE WILL GET TO KIEV AND HAVE FLIGHTS HOME. PRAY THAT WE WILL REFLECT CHRIST DURING THIS TRYING TIME AND USE THE TIME TO GLORIFY HIM.

On another note, when we went into the orphanage 3 days ago, there was a sign on the door which said quarantine ( because of infectious diseases). Trent asked O. if we should go in if it said quarantine to which she just laughed. So, we've been going every day still and taking an added dose of vitamin C w/lots of handwashing and prayer.