Thursday, April 5, 2007

Today, Tom and I made our way to the US Consulate to sign forms in case we do not return together. It was a hike, but we made it fine. We met Jeff and Lydia there. Mark and Julie were having trouble finding the location but made it. We all signed our papers then went to the SDA while the last 4 couples had their appointments. Yuri instructed us to remain in the cafe near the SDA. She wanted the Settlemyres, Tom and I to sign a paper with a notary.

Yuri arrived and whisked us away to another part of town to meet a certain notary. We walked several miles today! We completed the needed document then went back to the SDA. Helen and the kids saw many sites today including a beautiful church. Helen encouraged me to stop by this church on the way back to the apt. St. Andrew's was breathtaking. I am so glad, again, that Helen helped us find another jewel in Kyiv.

Helen, Luke, Caroline and I went back to the apt to shower prior to our train ride. Tom stayed at the SDA to pick up our referral paperwork. He later joined us, ran through the shower then we were off to the train.

The train ride was warm and uneventful. I shared a bunk with Caroline because our translator, Asa, did not have a ticket. So we had 9 people and 8 bunks. I knew that Caroline would sleep regardless of the bed, and I wanted Asa well rested because she needed to work the next day. I slept on the edge of the bunk holding onto the table to keep from falling off the bed.

We arrived in Zap and Luba, our lawyer in the region, met us. She whisked us away to our apt then off to the Regional Inspectors office. She wanted us to be there prior to the opening of the office, so we would be first in line.

The Inspector arrived and we were standing outside her office. Luba had already met with her and created the documents. The inspector just needed the referral numbers from the SDA. She typed in the numbers, printed off the documents which gave us permission to visit the children then told us that we could go to the orphanage to meet the kids. The inspector had a court appearance at 10am. Luba waited at her office for her return, so that Luba could take the inspector to the orphanage. The inspector needs to ask the children if they want to be adopted, then she will write a summary for the judge.

Meanwhile, while Luba waited for the inspector, we went to the orphanage. Larissa, the orphanage director, met us and started asking us what we wanted to eat and drink. We had a snack then then Max and Oskana came into the room. The immediately ran to us and hugged us. It was good to see them again. Helen, Luke and Caroline arrived just minutes after we met Max and Oskana.

The inspector came in and spoke to Max and Oskana. She asked them if they wanted to be adopted. They could not have said "yes" quicker. They followed their yes with "when can we go with them?" That was good to here. We ate lunch at the orphanage then Luba announced that our paperwork was completed. We could possibly have court on Friday, April 13. I was stunned to hear that. What a joy it would be to have court on Friday.

We spent the afternoon at the orphanage. Luke and Caroline played with all the children and really enjoyed it. Of course, both played basketball but Luke was determined to play soccer. Oskana and Max just ran between Luke and Caroline. They seemed happy. Prior to leaving, we received permission to get the kids the next day and take them to Zap. We had to sign a letter stating when we would pick them up and return them.

While waiting for the bus, we experienced some excitement. A boy riding his bike darted out in the street and hit the side of a car. The car threw him up in the air and to the side of the road. Julie, Mark and I went to help him. I started treating him for shock. He just was stunned at the occurrence. After 10 minutes of calming him down, he walked to the orphanage where a nurse cleaned him up and examined him. None of his parents were near. We then caught the bus back to Zap.

We ate at a cafeteria then returned to our apt to shower and rest.