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). 

T minus 3 Days and Counting!

I just got off the "Skype phone" with Kim and told her I would send out an updated post.  The last few days have been interesting when visiting the orphanage.  Kaitlyn and Broden are of course excited to be with her and they are getting time to play and interact with Kim. However, there has clearly been moments of emotion or quiet sadness and even tears.  Kaitlyn has been much more quiet, by Kim's side and even sitting closer together when playing games or looking at pictures.  Even when I was there we would give a big hug and kiss the top of their head at the door when we left.  We'd tell them what time the next day we'd be there, hug and say goodbye.  The other day Kim was about to leave and Kaitlyn gave her a huge hug and was obviously not going to let go quickly.  She then looked up into Kim's face and said, "Tomorrow Mama, right?".  Kim reassured her that yes she'd be returning the next day.  Turns out it was a wise move to have Kim stay there during these days.

For a couple of nights now Kaitlyn, Broden and the Greer's son Justin, have been separated to downstairs rooms near the doctor's office.  It is not clear yet what the reason is, but we could imagine it's related to potential jealousy among other children OR  just as an anticipation of their departure so that it is not so sudden.  Please pray for the kids as this has been the only home and only friends they've really known and there will be lots of mixed feelings.  They were told their last day at school in town was Thursday, however they were told this on Thursday night!  Kim says it doesn't seem to bother them at all.  Broden has been asking practically every day if they had to go to school any longer. Brody is just a bundle of energy.  Some conversations with teachers have shown their concern for him being "weak".  We've translated what they've trying to get across as their concern for him being frail.  Well, this is true.  He's not a big kid at all, but he needs a higher calorie intake to help that situation!  Kim has been told that she'll receive medicine for him to take us beyond the December 3rd supply he already has.  Each night they text Kim or call her to say goodnight. 

Looks like Kim (probably Pam Greer too-though I'm not clear on it yet) will be going Monday to Odessa to get the birth certificates (they were born in a village near Odessa somewhere).  Then she'll come back to Belgorod and Tuesday the children will be released.  They now have housing arranged in Odessa at a Bible Institute in the northern part of Odessa.  We were able to make contact with an ABWE missionary in Odessa and the institute has 2 rooms available there and a little kitchenette as well.  Please pray for the birth certificates and passports to be provided quickly. Once they have these things, then it's off to Kiev.  Pray too that we'll be able to make contact with  a Baptist church there which has rooms available for those working on adoption.  

It's pretty cold there now and so Kim has been purchasing whatever they need, since they must leave all the clothing they've been using at the orphanage.  

This brings up another couple of prayer items and needs:

~We are in need of a day bed for a girl that could be either a loaner situation, giveaway or for a low cost.  If you have a used day bed or know of someone who does please let us know. 

~We need clothing which still has "life" in them, for a 13 year old girl (size 14 slim) and 12 year old boy (12-slim):   T-shirts, jeans, pants, sweatshirts and sweatpants, long-sleeves, dress shirts, dresses, leggings, socks, lightweight jackets, sweaters.  If you or someone you know have giveaway clothing in these sizes and would like to donate it to Kaitlyn and Broden we would all be very appreciative.  We would essentially go through what you have and give back what doesn't work for us or pass it on to someone else or Goodwill if you don't want it back.   This will certainly save us money and time too as we'd probably be spending lots of time at thrift stores and garage sales to find it all.  

If you or someone you know has any of these things and can help us, then please contact us about it at Robert.Clark777@yahoo.com or 949-702-4632 or  via the comments on the adoption blog.

Thank you for all your prayers and please keep praying they'll get home soon.  Robert (for all the Clarks)

Good to be with our other kids in California! Praying for Kim, Kaitlyn and Broden!

After 2 days of travel it was good to get back to the smiling faces of our other kids.  They are obviously glad to have me home, but we are all missing Kim, Kaitlyn and Broden.  

I arrived Monday night to LAX after traveling from Odessa to Budapest to London and to JFK in New York.  In London I had to wait for a flight the next morning, but it wasn't going to be a problem as I figured to just pick a spot in the terminal, tie all my bags to me and sleep light.  The plan was good and I was even directed by a worker to the correct terminal (or so I thought).  About 11pm a security worker came by telling me that I couldn't stay in that terminal.  They were very sorry and sympathetic to my situation, but the terminal for staying overnight, like I wanted to do, is Terminal 1.  I was in Terminal 3.  Since I couldn't go to terminal 1 my only option was to go out through customs to the arrival terminal.  There I spent a restless and uncomfortable night in a cold building.  Oh well, our best laid plans can easily change.  I guess I should have asked a few more questions.  

Around 5am I heard the noise of others who were in my same situation.  They were making their move over to the departures building.  After an hour I was back on track in terminal 3.  I caught my flight to JFK and later to LAX.  I usually sleep on flights, but had the hardest time doing so.  I think I ended up with about 5 hours of sleep (2 of which were in the cold arrivals building of London Heathrow.  But I didn't really care because I was getting back to our kids, which Kim and I agreed was the best move.  They've been well taken care of by our friends the Weavers and Calvis, but it has been a long 3 and a half weeks.  

Upon my arrival to LAX I rented a car and went to The Master's College (TMC) to see Tiffany.  I wanted to visit with her since I was already more than halfway there at LAX.  Traffic slowed me down, but I was able to get there to watch her audition for a part in a play at TMC.  She did very well in her audition and I really was grateful to the Lord for allowing me to make it to that and visit with her at Starbuck's.  I showed her photos that she hadn't seen yet from Ukraine and shared other items about our trip.  Then I had to get on the road to home.  It was 10:30 before I left and I was getting tired.  There were two moments where I got too tired so I started to rub my face a lot, sing to K-eaRTH 101.1 and do some Tarzan yells.  Hey, whatever it takes, right?  The thing that really woke me up was seeing a bad accident, though nobody was injured.  I arrived home about 12:30am on the 18th.  It was good to see Kevin, but Jason and Kelly had already gone to bed.  Kevin and I talked for awhile and then we went to bed.

Please pray for Kim, Kaitlyn and Broden.  The count down over there now is 5 days.  She now has a place to  for all of them to stay in Odessa while getting the birth certificates and Ukrainian passports.  She's still trying to find housing in Kiev, but a Baptist church there might have rooms available.  Please pray that she'll be able to find ways to save $ along the way.  We found the price of some things to be less expensive than expected, but she has to provide clothes, shoes, etc. for them because all that they have now must stay at the orphanage. The temperature there in Kiev has been under freezing, but no snow yet.