Today marks a MONTH that we have been in Ukraine. I cannot really believe it. In some ways it seems like we just got off the plane. In other ways it seems like we have been here forever. Literally. At moments I can not even remember living in Moore, Oklahoma. We NEED to come home. We NEED to be with our kids. We NEED to get Matthew and Micah home. It’s been a very rewarding time spiritually and for our marriage. We’ve been so close in the past years and getting closer, but these weeks here have been such a blessing. It’s us and the Lord. That’s a good place to be. Prayer Needs:
- Mary is sick with a bad cold. We travel to Novograd tomorrow (Sunday) so please pray that she’s better in the morning. She’s been in bed sleeping most of today and needs to be better.
- Dickinsons have court Monday. Pray for God’s peace for them.
- The Loux’s come back Thursday to complete their adoption of Aiden and Emma.
- Pray for our kids and my mom. They’re ready for us to come home.
In case you have somehow missed it, we’ve been in Kiev since last Friday night. We’ve had a relaxing time in Brovary (outside of Kiev). Here’s a breakdown of our time. Friday- Arrived at 10:00 p.m. Ate a VERY late dinner. Stayed up all night to see the Loux’s off to the airport at 2:30 a.m. and watch Inspector Poirot movies with Jamie. Saturday- Chris got up at 7:00ish and the ladies slept till 10:00. We stayed in our p.j.’s all day! Sunday- HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY! We went to church. I took Mary and Jamie to lunch. We bummed around downtown Kiev for the rest of the day and got home at about 8:30 and had dinner. TIRED! Monday- Jamie led our group devotion time. We went to Darnitsa and had a meal at McDonald’s and then shopped for the boys. We bought a bath tub, some tights, a bottle…and some surprises for the kids at home. Tuesday- Went to the Chernobyl Museum and lunch at Pyzata Xata. Then we went to a renok (an outdoor market) at Lisova Metro stop. We saw some VERY interesting things. Had a nice evening at home (ha…I’m calling it home. It’s time to go back to USA). Wednesday- Chris led our group devotion time. We went to Terminal and messed around. There is a bowling alley, ice skating, race cars, groceries, shopping center (Mary got a new shirt that looks hot!), and all kinds of stuff. We made Italian for dinner for Mark and Sasha Miller (the Youth Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Loday, CA (they were travelling back from south Ukraine to the USA). Thursday- Mary led our group devotion time. We stayed here in Brovary all day. We worked here on the property for Yuri and Sveta (we moved a huge pile of bricks out to the driveway to make it passable because of the mud). We did this for several hours and got a lot done. Played a game. Had dinner… Watch Poirot! Friday- We went to Babyn Yar. Had lunch at the King David restaurant (a Jewish restaurant near the synagogue). Got my modem working for my mac that will work all over Ukraine anywhere! Had tea with Sasha (an adoption lawyer). Saturday- Mary’s been in bed sick. Chris worked on the computer for Jamie. We’ve done very little. Had pancakes for breakfast. Grilled cheese for lunch. And cornbread for dinner. Then we stayed up late watching Poirot. Sunday (tomorrow) – we are planning to go to Novograd about 3:00. We’re having church here tomorrow because Mary doesn’t need to go out until she has to. Hope you enjoyed my chronology, but it’s for us so we can remember. 🙂 Here’s our week in pictures…
I LOVE this woman! She gets more beautiful every day.
Happy Women’s Day Mary and Jamie!
This is the McDonald’s where “someone” in our party spilled two coffees. I think there may be a sign on the door with the pictures of the Americans that says “shoot on sight.”
The Kreshatik on Women’s Day night.
Jamie and Mary
Lovers and best friends.
The entrance to Chernobyl Museum.
An American artist (Launa) made this painting. Every part is part of a poem and scripture. It’s all words. It was incredible.
Halfway through the day at the museum, the power went out for about 5 minutes. A good time for a break since it was dark!
Happy Birthday Matthew!
Mark and Sasha Miller
Jamie and Sveta
Yuri and Sveta
Slavic (helping Yuri with construction)
“I got you, babe!”
One of the monuments at Babyn Yar.
The Jewish memorial at Babyn Yar.
Part of the remaining part of ravine of Babyn Yar. Flowers and wreaths were strewn all the way down the side.
Massive section of the ravine at Babyn Yar. It stretches as far as the eye can see. You can’t tell from this photo but it’s DEEP and large. Between 200,000 & 300,000 people were murdered here during WWII. Over 33,000 Jews were killed here during the first few days of German occupation alone.
Lunch at the King David restaurant.
Jamie, Sveta, Mary
On the metro escalator that goes on and on and on.
Advertisements in the metro on the escalator. March 21 is Down Syndrome Awareness Day in Ukraine!!! Praise God. Be blessed! Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. I was reminded of Isaiah 43 this morning and read it again. Thank you God for bringing us here to get our sons!