Sunday, April 8, 2007

Easter – He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
Our plan for the day was to pick up the kids, have our own Easter service, go to a Ukrainian Church and then have lunch. Tom went to the orphanage to pick up the kids. When Tom picked up the kids he wished them Happy Easter. Maria Oksana told him that in Ukraine you wish someone Happy Easter by stating, “He is Risen!” To which they reply, “He is Risen Indeed!”

For our Easter service we read John 20: 1-23. Tom purchased a bible written in both Russian and English. He read the English portion and Maria Oskana read the Russian version, one of the first dad-daughter experiences. Maria read so well. In the Russian portion of the bible Mary is written and pronounced Maria. It was a moving experience and we felt we have the right name for our daughter! We then walked to a church for part of the Easter Service. After church, we started a new Easter tradition. The closest restaurant to the Hotel is a nice sit-down Pizza place. The new tradition is the Easter Pizza!

The clock was ticking for Luke and Caroline to do some souvenir shopping and they were itching to go. We walked to an open market down the hill and towards the river from the restaurant. It is a collection of permanent shops and looks like a department store spread out with many narrow, claustrophobic isles. Luke was interested in purchasing a leather jacket. He found a jacket with the help of Tom and Jenia. Jenia told him that he looked like a Russian and Tom paid for it. Caroline found a wallet to match the purse she bought at the mall. Meanwhile, Cindy purchased Maria and Matthew sunglasses. They looked like celebrities walking throughout the market.

After the market we met Asa, the Settlemyres, and Alona’s sister at the Circus. The Circus was a combination of acrobatics, clowns and many different animal acts as part of their entertainment. The kids enjoyed the circus. There were a large number of animal acts, including cats, snakes, monkies, bears and alligators. The kids were in the front row and Matthew Maksim wanted to pet the alligator as it came by. The Circus staff had to remind him to keep in his seat. Yes, that is our boy.

Tom and Jenia dashed out of the circus to take the kids back to the orphanage. We had not planned to go to the Circus and we were running late in getting the kids back in time. Tom was hoping that Jenia could cover for him. As it turned out, Larissa, the orphanage director, had special Ukrainian Easter Cakes waiting for us to take back to everyone.

Luke and Caroline had to say good bye to them. Both Luke and Caroline did not want to go home. They could have stayed. Remember, Luke likes the pace of life here. Saying good bye to Luke and Caroline was difficult for us. They were so good to their new siblings and really enjoyed the time in Zap. They took the train back to Kyiv with Helen and Jenia.