And Now For Something Completely Different!

Kim shared with us in an email that they had an opportunity to go with Pam Greer and Justin and walk around town.  It was a good experience as it showed that she and Kaitlyn and Broden are getting closer to one another.  Plus, there were some interesting things to observe, not the least of which were some technology that we take for granted, but these former orphans have probably never seen...

"We went into town today. It was nice to see justin and pam. The kids all had a great time. They were enthralled with a revolving door and the escalator. Pam said justin watched her washing machine for 30min and then freaked when it spun and started jumping. (You can read a more detailed account of this with pictures on the Greer's blog - www.kevinandpam.blogspot.com) The kids are doing well. They each grabbed my hand at different times to hold it as we walked. As we were walking there was a boy having to hold and guide his drunk father. All 3 kids got very uptight, slowed down walking and really kept their eyes on him. They were obviously afraid and were pointing him out to us nervously. Broden motioned that the man had drunk alcohol and used drugs. It seemed that they had very bad memories. Kaitlyn was really affected. I had to hug her as we walked and tell her, not in our family (drunkenness). She relaxed. It was interesting." 

This would figure since part of the neglect they experienced was a household that had 6 adults + an invalid grandmother.  None of them were working and most likely they were drunks, drug users and abusive.  Please pray for wisdom as we help them adjust. 

Urgent Prayer Needed!

Dear Family and Friends,  

Changes and surprises can be very sobering and can happen quickly.  I received an urgent call from Kim early on Friday morning.  The reason for it was that she had received a call from the US Embassy in Kiev, Adoption Unit/Immigration Visa Services.  In a nutshell, they discovered that a form from Immigration Services (I-600A) and our home study reflect adopting 2 children that are relatively healthy.  Since HIV has not been taken off the list and probably won't be taken off now for immigration visas (only tourist visas have seemed to be approved on this), then I need to provide an amendment to the home-study and the I-600A (in that order) through our agency and the Los Angeles DHS office.  So, I need an amendment reflecting the change in the health condition of a child.  The potential timing delay is big.  I have been in contact with our agency here and will continue to be until I can get the home study amendment and then get into that office in Los Angeles hopefully Monday.  

As you can imagine it is both a surprise and shock.  It sure woke me up in a hurry at 6:20 this morning!  We thought we were complying completely with all requirements and that the waiver was the way of reflecting the change in health condition.  That's not the case though.    Please be in prayer for this as I need to be able to obtain these documents quickly.  When it comes to dealing with these sorts of things a one day delay here can turn into a week or more in delays there.  The embassy is willing to even contact the DHS office and encourage them to expedite our amendment.  They can't demand it but they can earnestly suggest and encourage it so that they will be able to continue on our behalf.  I would ask you to earnestly ask the Lord to move all barriers so that we can bring Kim and the kids home soon.

It is quite interesting too, and I share this with a sober heart, but on Wednesday I was stuck in some traffic a half hour and I had taken with me my copy of Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, which I only usually have on my nightstand.  While sitting there I read the following and it caused me to pray and even on Thursday send it to Kim to try and communicate the Lord's working in my heart through it:  From the prayer The All Good...

You are all my good in times of peace, my only support in days of trouble, my one sufficiency when life shall end.  Help me to see how good your will is in all, and even when it crosses mine teach me to be pleased with it.  ..... you are a bottomless fountain of all good, I give myself to You out of love, for all I have or own is yours, my goods, family, church, self, to do with as you will, to honor yourself by me, and by all mine.   There's more of course.  I recommend the book very much.

Needless to say, I had no idea we'd be facing this sort of situation today.  Sometimes it is 3 steps forward and 2 steps back, but it never catches the Lord off guard.  My hope and prayer is that this is just another "hiccup" in this whole thing and not a delay.  The embassy said they will work with Kim as far as they can (passports, visa, visa rejection, waiver documents) so that perhaps the only thing needed is the receiving of the amendment from DHS in LA.  Of course I can't get that until the amendment related to the original home study is in hand.  Honestly, I have had moments of depression and anger over this today, but the Lord has been good to me in those moments and the peace that passes understanding and correct thinking and action that is explained in Philippians 4 4-9, have been also evident to me as well.  Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice!".  Verse 5 tells us to let our forbearing spirit be known to all men.  I curiously looked up forebearance and it says, "patient self-control, restraint, tolerance".  Synonyms are very helpful too and some of them are, "patience, resignation, endurance, fortitude and self control".  Verse 6 reflects this further with imperatives like, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (to appeal to, call on, ask and request) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Then it says, "And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Please pray for Kim and I and especially our children as well, to not lose heart or grow faint-hearted with all of this.  Even before I had time to tell Kelly what has happened today she came to me asking when Kim and the kids would be coming home.  So, I tried to explain this situation to her and that we need to continue to pray, because the Lord knows that exact day and time that they will come home.  Thanks for praying and listening.

Wonderful Wednesday! Much To Be Thankful For!

Dear Family and Friends,

We talked with Kim and the kids late on Wednesday and again on Thanksgiving day.  They were able to make it to the little nameless village that the kids were born in, received their birth certificates and then took off for Odessa.  There they were able to get in for passport photos and apply for their new UA passports.  Following that they made it to the place they are staying and waiting at in Odessa.  

I had arranged with Kim that I would call on Skype to her phone when they were in the car and on their way to the village. I hoped it would encourage them to hear from me and that we are waiting expectantly for them.  This turned out to be a helpful call as there was much emotion for them when they were leaving (both excitement about going, but sadness about leaving friends).    Kim said I made them smile.  Kaitlyn also had some trouble with the drive with feeling sick to her stomach, but I guess it was okay.

On Thursday they needed to go to a particular pharmacy in Kiev to get an additional supply of medicine for Broden.  Kim had what she thought she needed from the orphanage doctor, but the pharmacist would not fill the prescription and would not try to understand at all.  Kim called Ludya to translate, but they didn't know her so it was a still a "nyet".  Then she got in touch with the adoption lawyer and the orphanage doctor.  Finally, after some pretty rough communication they agreed to supply her with more of Broden's medicine.  

The kids were especially intrigued by the place they are staying in Odessa.  They were told they'd be going to a hotel, but it's a Bible Institute and they have the whole place to themselves, so they were confused.  But Kim explained to them (she's trying Russian and using her Czech to get by and help with communicating) what the place was and why they are staying there, so it was fine.  The people they've been meeting there have been so kind and encouraging.  There are missionaries and Ukrainian believers that have been very kind and interactive with the kids.  For Thanksgiving they were invited to spend it with ABWE missionary Caleb Suko and his family and others.  Apparently it was a very special time.  

Now they are waiting.  Please pray that the application for passports won't have any difficulties for the release of passports.  Apparently everything must match and no irregularities (ie: mistakes) or it will seriously hamper the process of getting them.  She hopes to have the passports by Monday.  Meanwhile they are enjoying each other.  Kim and the kids are playing card games a lot and Carcassone a board game that Kim took with her.  Kaitlyn now knows how to shuffle using a "waterfall" style and her and Kim are playing lots of Speed.  Kaitlyn told Kim she wants to get fast enough to beat Tiffany, who is the family speedster.  They are trying to use English more and more.  While I was there at the orphanage I taught the kids the Name Song (you know:  Broden, Broden, bo Broden, Banana Fana fo Froden, me my mo Mroden, Broden).  He really thought this was great and has practiced it a whole lot and when Kelly and Tiffany spoke to him on Thanksgiving he launched, no he flew, into that song using their names...it was really a funny time and he's really fast at it. 

We have much to be thankful for at this time as we look at this whole situation.  The Lord has been watching on us the whole time.  Kim shared with me in an email the following, "I was quite calm yesterday considering it all. I had a peace and can relax in God's timing. I hope the same will be true in Kiev :-)".  The people that He's put into our life there to help get finished with the process in Belgorod has been great.  Even His work in the heart of important officials that we needed documents from was obvious. Lyudmila was a constant encouragement as she helped us there.  Though the situation of an orphanage is never ideal, the orphanage director and her workers did take good care of these kids.  We've heard stories of other orphanages and this seems to have been a much better orphanage upbringing.  We were especially thankful to be able to see part of their world as they prepared for and won first place at the festival.   There are other things that I can't share now, but will share at a later time when they are on their way here, that really show the Lord's protection and provision.  Meanwhile, they aren't here yet and we ask you to pray for the Lord to continue to orchestrate it so that they do get all that they need to accomplish the adoption in Odessa and Kiev and as soon as possible.  Pray too that Kim can find a suitable and affordable place to stay in Kiev.  Solving this has been a bit elusive.  She'll be trying the Baptist church we know about in Kiev on Friday and there might be some families that she could stay with.  Now that she's waiting in Odessa and not driving all over she'll be able to try and finalize that.  Thank you again for your prayers.

Tuff Tuesday!

I've received an email today from Kim and have pasted necessary information about their day here...

 "Well what a day. We all met at the court at 9am. At 11am we had the final letter and we all took off. I went with Ludya and Gene(taxi driver) to a village N of here. It took 2hrs going sometimes 160 Km/hr! Went thru Moldova for a short bit. The official found a mistake and would not do new certificates so we had to come back to Belgorod. Natasha (adoption lawyer) called the judge and he gave a new letter. So, at 6:45am Gene will come for me, we will get the kids, go back to the village with the new letter, get the new certificates and then go to Odessa. Pam had no problems and went on to Odessa."

She went on to describe that Kaitlyn is having a hard time.  She saw Pam Greer leave with Vladi (now Justin) and she cried.  Please pray for her as it's all very emotional for her (wanting to leave and then again not totally wanting it).  It was a very frustrating day for Kim as you can imagine.  Pray for her. It's hard for her on her own.  It was good teamwork between us when I was there and so it's hard.  Even though it went as it did today, they might not lose a day if this new letter works and they get off to Odessa from there.   I hope to call using our computer and Skype tonight at the time that I know they'll be leaving,  or have left the orphanage, to try and encourage them that it will be alright.  Hopefully the translator will be with them, but if not I'll at least show them that I and the other kids are anxiously waiting for them.  Thanks for praying.

Pray Specifically!

After a short conversation today with Kim it became very apparent that specific prayers are in order as anything can change her return home with Kaitlyn and Broden from potentially 2 weeks from this coming Wednesday to a return even around Christmas and beyond.  That's right!  In my mind and in my heart I would sure be against that, but I would have to yield and so would all of the family if the Lord allowed it to happen.  However, I began to realize that my prayers are far too general and so I/we would ask you to pray for the following:

(these are in somewhat of a possible chronological order)

~ That the letter from the judge and court in Belgorod will be done accurately and correctly as any mistake will be another day of delay at least.

~ That the Lord will give Kim and Pam Greer, safe car rides from Belgorod to the little village of the kid's birth.  It would appear that they will travel in separate taxi cars to the villages near Odessa that the children were born in. One of the villages is nearer to Odessa than the other and they don't who has which and they won't know who has which until the day they  take off with their translator.  

~ That they will truly be able to get the birth certificates necessary (and any other things that we've not been told about yet!?)  quickly and correctly prepared (spelling, stamps, etc) as any mistake will cause more than one day in delay.  In addition, it would cost another trip by taxi and the cost is not only about $50 each way, but also a cost of the time the taxi driver sits and waits for them (potentially hours).  

~ That there will be no delay in getting the children out of the orphanage, hopefully Wednesday, and off in a taxi to Odessa.  Pray too for safety on a very reckless road.  My driver almost slid into a semi and another car on the way to the airport.  No, it wasn't even bad weather conditions like the ladies will be experiencing now, but he was going at high speed (at one point 160km/hour or 100mph) and began to skid when the semi and car suddenly weren't moving as fast as he anticipated!

~ That the Lord will provide them opportunity to submit for the children's passports the same day that they travel to Odessa.  Also, that it will become more clear what type of passports the children have (apparently there are several kinds) and what is required to get the correct one issued.  In other words, there is a possibility that the present passport would need a different passport issued in between the one that is required for them to travel to Kiev and then to the US!  So, potentially one new one would be issued so that it could then be destroyed or made invalid so that then the one that Kim really needs for them could then be issued!  Yikes and willikers! (2 words that describe quite a bit of angst and frustration :)

~ Praise Item... and now a word of encouragement - the Lord has provided Kim and the kids a place to stay in Odessa that seems very helpful and reasonably priced in order to save some costs.  They'll stay at a Bible Institute that a missionary from our ABWE mission is involved with.  It's north of the city, but it has a kitchenette, little markets and vendors nearby and buses that are good transportation and 40cents a trip.  

~ Pray too that Kim will be able to get to Kiev as quickly as possible from Odessa.  Why do I think this is important, besides the obvious of getting them home sooner?  Essentially anything can be a potential delay.  She has to get to the Adoptions Department of the embassy and get things rolling.  I must say that the interaction we've had with this department of the embassy has been first rate (they actually called us in Belgorod to follow up a call and concern we had, which was a big one and they knew about our situation in detail).  But, the simple matter is that Broden's visa request will be rejected due to HIV and a waiver is needed and that can take time.  It could take another 2 weeks or more!  Again the Embassy adoptions department has been first rate in their desire to expedite and informed us that though they must reject the visa, they will try and do all of it in a day! (ie: passport prep, visa, visa rejection and submitting of waiver) Also, they told us that since they know that HIV is scheduled to come off the waiver requirement list anyway (though it is still not official-bummer!), then they are going to try and FAX the needed documents to the CDC in Washington and their regional CDC office in Moscow in order to try and expedite things and GET THOSE SIGNATURES AND WAIVERS!  My oh My! (another earnest expression meaning roughly "I hope it works").  ;)  Please pray specifically it will even exceed our expectations for speediness. 

~ That the Lord will move in the hearts of authorities and those providing needed documents to work quickly, accurately and thoroughly.  Also, that there will not be anyone going on VACATIONS!  No I'm not against vacations, but pray that vacations would not cause delays for us and that those who would be needed to make this all happen will be available and not away or that their colleagues will also be sufficient to help us.  Pray this from Belgorod to Odessa to Kiev to home!  

~ Lastly, pray for Kim and the kids to be able to be home before Kevin's birthday 12/19 or even earlier than that, say 12/10 (that would be fantastic!)

Finally, I would like to ask you to pray for Kaitlyn as she is experiencing some visible sadness at leaving friends she has known since she was 4 years old and has been mostly quiet and reserved.  Even though it's better to be in a family and none of those kids can stay there forever, it is the only life and "family" they've known.  Brody on the other hand has been "chomping at the bit"!  This kid is visibly ready to go!  Kim's take on his attitude is essentially, "Yeah man!  I'm out a heeeerrreee!".  He tells Kim, "Mama!  I'm Broden!  Broden James Clark!".  Pray too for all of them in these last couple of days.  Their movements and places to interact and play are now more restricted to the rooms they are in (not too big), sometimes the game room  and an entrance hall upstairs (not too big either).  Plus Kim and the kids are there with Pam and their son, plus the Vanderburgs (3 people) and the 3 girls they are adopting.  Close encounters and getting old for all!

T minus 2 Days and Count....Wait! New Plan and A One Day Delay!

Dear Family and Friends,

Something that we learned over there and in this whole process, is that one must never count on anything too much.  Actually this is just a little "hiccup" as the 10 days ended on Sunday and so the court needs to provide a letter explaining the court order, which is used by Kim to go to get the birth certificates.  Since it's Sunday, the court needs Monday to get the letter ready and so a departure for Odessa to get birth certificates is now scheduled for Tuesday.  This means she'll be able to get the kids out on Wednesday and head off to Odessa with them. But it also means a potential delay to getting to Kiev till after the weekend.  Please pray that there won't be any other delays if at all possible and that she can get the passports by Friday and get to Kiev by the weekend.

One particular encouraging theme that I was reminded of while I was there, and it's something that has continued to be on my mind, is that when we face adversity and changes in our expectations and plans we are still called on by the Lord to "be strong and courageous".  It was a fitting encouragement by the Lord for Joshua and the people of Israel as they were about to move into the promised land for real.  But, something greater than the need to be strong and courageous, which God told them to be 3 times (see Joshua 1:6-9), was that He promised them that He would be with them (verses 5 and 9) just as He was with Moses.  He told them that He would not forsake them.  It gives one great confidence and security to know they are cared for no matter what the circumstances.  We hope to pass this on to Kaitlyn and Broden as well. Lamentations 3:23 tells us  that the Lord's faithfulness is great and He is the source of our hope. This truth gives confidence and security.  When we have this we can be strong and courageous and we will be able to stand against those feelings of fear and dismay (Joshua 1:9).  Dismay has some helpful synonyms to help us know what we are talking about here:  shaken, rattled, offbalance, shocked, unnerved, unsettled and alarmed.  Usually when these are not brought under control it leads to thoughts that are out of balance with biblical truth, such as feeling sick and tired, impatience, fear of the unknown, etc.  Of course these are definitely out of tune with the fruit of the Spirit.  

I write all this to ask you to pray for Kim, Pam and the Vanderburgs.  Kim has been there now for over 4 weeks (having arrived on 10/23) with potentially 2 more weeks to go.  It's of course not a time to grow fainthearted, but one does become weary, so please pray for her/their stamina, endurance and total dependence on the Lord.  Also, that she'll be able to fight well by applying the Word of God from those specific verses of the Word that will give her strength and victory.  Ask the Lord to give her discernment and insight related to helping Kaitlyn and Broden during this time of change and feelings of uncertainty.  It's hard to know exactly what we need to give to them to help them through this time of change.  Pray for wisdom as well. 

I had intended to download some pictures onto our blog, but my computer is now in repair since last Wednesday.  As soon as I get it back I hope to download some newer shots.  If you have Facebook and want to be our friend :) then you can see the albums we've managed to get onto there.  Kim has other pictures, but she can't easily download using the Ukrainian server (1/2 hour for one picture to download - if it doesn't disconnect).