Ray and the girls with their necklaces at lunch after court
Saying goodby at Yuglegorsk before Ray catches his train to Kiev
Friend Cristina, left, Inna, Anya, back, and Rada practicing English
It's the girls' last Saturday in Yuglegorsk Orphanage. Inna has been here since she was 7 and Rada for the past 3 years. Before that she was in another with her brother since she was a toddler. It is hard to believe I've been here 5 weeks and yet again...
After practicing vocabulary and reading today, we asked the girls what they have to bring with them so I can take it to the apartment with me tomorrow after our visit and pack. Inna said she has some summer clothes, the photo album and suitcase she brought back from Virginia in July when she visited us. Rada has just the outfit we gave her for court day and a small album of photos of her and friends at camp this summer. Period.
Inna and Rada get more excited each day closer to departure day Tuesday. And yet I know it will be difficult for them to leave some of the friends and teachers that have been with them for years. Some of Inna's friends who started trade school in August have been coming weekends to see her before she leaves. Inna would have gone with them and been given a trade to train in had we not met her in July. She would have been designated a construction worker, cook or painter and expected to find her own food when not in class. When we asked her then what her interests or dreams might be to study or become, she told us she never thought about it before because she knew she never had a choice. Now she is embracing the possibilities. She is so excited to learn! She practiced reading 2 hours of our visiting time today. Rada has made great progress on her alphabet, colors, counting and days of the week, a very willing spirit.
For now, spakoynay nochee (good night)!
In Him,
Cari
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