Goodbye Uglegorsk!

Today it was -7 C when we drove up to the orphanage.  Icicles were glistening in the sun from the items of laundry the children had hung out to dry on the line in the yard. Inna and Arianne made made their rounds of the halls giving gifts to friends and teachers as they said goodbye.  It was a little chaotic, but Viktor says it always is.

I feel a sense of sadness saying goodbye myself to these children I have come to know in a limited way having been here for these weeks.  I wonder what will become of them, who will be adopted? I know the girls will be making phone calls by penny talk from time to time to keep in touch with friends.  The orphanage children are not allowed access to computer internet so e mail is out of the question.

At the same time, I am elated to be leaving with our daughters. Finally. On our way to see more of this country of their birth  then to Kyiv to out process.

Tomorrow we go to vital statistics in Enakieva to get Inna's new birth certificate.  Arianne was born in Novogrodovka about 45 minutes away so we drive there for hers, then on to Donetsk to apply for passports. Once that is complete we will board the 8 pm night train out of town: Destination- Sevastopel to arrive at 7 am. Sure would be nice to enjoy the scenic view by daylight, but this is how they travel long distances in Ukraine more often than by plane.

I can truly say that the words of Romans 15:13 in the Bible, God's word have been my experience these days here. It says "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Although there have been times I wished things would move a little faster or the process would be more efficient, God has filled me with his hope and peace, convinced of his complete orchestration of every step. When we can't see the map we just have to take the next step he makes visible and wait until he makes the next one clear.  Takes so much pressure off not having control just following him. He's the one who makes the promise to work it all out and complete his plan. I know he will.
Blessings,
Cari