Decision Time

Today we decided to adopt Rodda.  We have prayed hard and tried to listen as intently to God's leading as possible, but as much as we want to adopt both Ola and Rodda, we can only get one girl and today we have chosen Rodda.  Please pray for Ola.  Every time I see both Rodda and Ola I just want to grab them up and pour love and affection into their lives.  Ola is more openly desperate for a family.  Where Rodda is like so many long time orpans, quietly despearate for the love of her own family, Ola is passionate and insistent.  We like the other families are now on a mission to get Ola a family.  For any of you contemplating adoption, this beautiful little 12 year old girl would be fantastic.  If you want more information please email to either Cari or me and we'll fill you in.  Sadly, Ola and Rodda's story is just a snapshot of what is happening for all the Ukraine orphans.  A precious few get adopted and the rest are left behing feeling new rejection, and the gnawing grinding pain of not belonging.  Families who come to adopt see the many who they cannot bring home like Ola and some decide to take action.  Karol Saner did that for Inna.  Because Karol decided NOT forget about Inna even after a few years she is now about to get erased from the orphan roster.  We plan to go Karol Saner on the Ola situation.  You can bet will get Babushka Karol on the Ola bandwagon.

I could go on and on about the wonderful deserving children who are not getting adopted here at Yuglegorsck, but you all get the picture.  As Laura Passanita likes to say not everyone is called to adopt but everyone is called to help orphans.  In John we are reminded that, "true religion is this... help widows and orphans in their time of distress."  In this past week we have peered into the faces of such distress and feel the heart of God who calls us to do something.  Enough of the sermon... sorry.

Today we were hopeful to go back to Kiev for our second appointment in order to adopt Rodda, but now it seems that it will be wednesday.  Our very dear and wonderful Ukrainian sister Ira from Sevastopal is going to arrive wednesday morning.  Inna, Cari and I are all excited to see her.  Ira has been CRUCIAL to bringing Inna home from the very beginning of our July  hosting visit with Inna.  The first sunday that Ira was in the US she and her friend Avie (a missionary who works and lives in Sevastopal) just happened to accidentally come to the second of three services at our home church Grace Bible Church where we with Inna just accidentally happened to be attending.  It was a very low point for Inna where she had decided not to be adopted in fear of coming to the US and becoming very closed to us spending most of the time in her room.  Suddenly God depolyed Ira (who had prayed to be used on her trip) to help in translating and more that that speaking wisdom into the life of this wonderful young lady Inna Denya.  I cannot stress how crucially important Ira's role in Inna's final decision to become Inna Grace Lance and come to the United States was and still is.  Ira took time from her vacation to minister to Inna and us, and now in just a few days she will come to the place where it all began for Inna.  I wonder if God has a bigger role for Ira in orphan ministry?  Pray for Ira's travel safety and pray that she will be used by God not only in working with us but most likely the other families and the many orphans we all interact with at Yuglegorsck.

Today we spent a very wonderful time together at the orphanage.  Once we arrived for our usual 3pm vistation time all the other kids arrived but not Inna.  We waited and waited and then finally came Inna with... Rodda.  Unknow to us, Inna had circumvented the usual orphanage procedure to get Rodda from her mandatory nap so she could be with us.  Until the official referral from the SDA, prospective adoptive parents are not allowed to see the children like this.  Big sister came through!!  It was great.  We played games together and practiced learning english words.  Wow, Rodda was catching on very quickly.  She has such a beautiful happy spirit.  We can't wait for all of you to meet her.  Meanwhile, Inna, Cari and Anya our translator were hatching plans for how we can help Luda.  Inna is such a generous and gracious young lady... I am so proud of her.

Tommrow we travel to Kiev.... we hope.  Cari is breathing much better today (it rained all day today).


Blessings,

Ray