LAX-London-Budapest

We are in route to Odessa and then Kiev, Ukraine to begin this final phase of adoption. We thought it would be good to send a quick update now because we don't know the internet situation at the home we will stay at in Kiev. 

The Lord has been so good to us along the way. We were able to spend time with all of our children before we left, including Tiffany who caught a ride with her roommate, Lacey, at Master's College and met us at LAX. There, along with our friends Sue Weaver and her daughter Amy, we all enjoyed In n Out together. The rumor of 25 cent hamburgers for their 60th anniversary was truly a rumor!  

We managed to sleep fairly well on a flight that was probably less than 1/2 full to London. We arrived on Thursday night at midnight in Budapest and the owners of the Pension Alex were there to meet us. It is a nice old manor with the upper level prepared for guests. Our hosts here, the Romanov family, speak Czech as well as many other Slavic languages, and English. It was enjoyable to speak the Czech language again. As I am writing this, Mr. Romanov has come up to take breakfast plates away and handed me a Czech picture book of southern Moravia, which is where we lived and served in Brno for 10 years. The pension is just 10 minutes or less from the airport and so we'll get a ride there in less than an hour.  

While waiting in LAX we spoke with a lady who is from Finland. She has traveled extensively in Europe and she provided us with some encouraging tips about Ukraine.  

Please pray for the Lord to provide us with affordable housing in or near to Odessa and the same in the town of Belgorod where the orphanage sits. This is something we've not been able to arrange ahead of time.  

In our devotions this morning we looked at October 24th in the devotional Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. "The trees of the Lord are full of sap", Psalm 104: 16. At first glance one might think what kind of silly little phrase is that? But in the New American Standard it explains the verse as meaning they "drink their fill" or literally "are satisfied". The rest of the verse says, "the cedars of Lebanon, which He planted." It speaks both of finding satisfaction in the source of life, God Himself and in trusting His sovereignty, since it is He who is the planter of and sustainer of our life. Spurgeon writes, "Without sap the tree cannot flourish or even exist. VITALITY is essential to a Christian. There must be life, a vital principle infused into us by God the Holy Ghost, or we cannot be trees of the Lord. The mere name of being a Christian is but a dead thing, we must be filled with the spirit of divine life... Regeneration is wrought by the Holy Ghost entering into a man and becoming man's life... Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him.... As the sap manifests itself in producing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy Christian, his grace is externally manifested in his walk and conversation."  

May the Lord give us the ability to live the life "full of sap" or in a satisfied way in Him, showing life and bearing fruit.

Travel Prayer Requests

Hi everyone,

We have had a number of people want to know some specific things that they can be praying for, so we have composed a list. Thank you so much for your concern, prayers and support of us in this adoption.

Oct. 22nd - A good day for Kelly (it is her Birthday). A safe flight for us. We fly at 8:30pm.

        23rd - We have a layover in Budapest.

24th - Fly into Odessa. Pray we can find the train station, get our phones up and running as a 'local' phone, and catch a night train up to Kiev. We won't be answering our phones while over there, but we will check our email.

25th - Some friends put us in contact with some Ukrainian believers where we will spend a couple of nights. Pray we can find our way easily. Also that we can meet up with our facilitators.

26th - Hopefully attend a church and familiarize ourselves with the city of Kiev.

Pray for our kids here as they stay with the Calvis and some close friends the Weavers. (Pray for areas like school, healthiness, emotions, drawing close to God for their strength).

27th-  Our meeting with the State Department of Adoption (SDA). Pray this meeting will go well, that they will be favorable to us and  that we can quickly get our Letter of Referral so we can go to Odessa region where the kids are. This letter gives us permission to visit the orphanage with the intent of adopting the children.

We will then go to Odessa, visit the children and wait for the 'OK'. We then must meet with a local judge who has the final word. We have been told that the judges in the region are hardened and can be difficult. Please pray that the process will go smoothly and quickly. 

Pray for the heart of the judge to be kind and favorable to our case. 

Once the judges says 'OK' (Lord willing) then there is a 10-day wait period where the children must remain in the orphanage. We will quickly go back to Kiev, sign some papers at the embassy, go back to Odessa and fly home (depending on the timing of it all).

Pray for opportunities to speak the gospel to people on trains, at the orphanage, with the facilitators, with government officials, in hotels, etc. We want to remember that although we are going for the adoption, God is working in many people's lives, so we want to be available to Him. We don't want to miss an opportunity to be a witness for Him.

Pray we can make our flights or if necessary re-schedule them. The holidays are a factor in finding available flights at this time of the year.

Currently, we both fly back on Nov.15 arriving in LA on the 17th. Kim will then fly back to Odessa on Nov. 25th to finalize things. She has a final return flight for Dec. 23rd arriving in LA on Dec.24th. We are unable to get flights for the children until we have the judge's approval for the adoption. 

 Keep checking here as we will give better prayer requests as it all unfolds. 

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

Monday, October 27th is our appointment

This is the date we've been given when the adoption agency called us today.  It is essentially just about 2 weeks away and it has us really hopping right now.  We'll appear before the State Department of Adoption (SDA) in Kiev on that day and then travel to the orphanage 2 hours outside of Odessa.  We're arranging flights now and making sure we get in early enough to make that appointment.  We hope to talk with V and B on Friday to tell them of the plan.  Please be in prayer for us as we are feeling quite overwhelmed with arrangements to make for Kevin, Jason and Kelly.  More later as there's so much to do.   In spite of it all, He is still sovereign and in control.  Pray that our faith will remain strong and focused on Him as our Jehoveh-jireh (meaning the Lord will Provide).

Job 23:10-12 - But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.  My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside.  I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.  But He stands alone, and who can oppose him?  He does whatever He pleases.  [TRIALS PURIFY THOSE WHO CLING TO GOD]

Fundraiser Update

Hey everyone,

The Clark family would like to thank all who were able to join us at the adoption fundraiser and everyone who contributed. We were overwhelmed with the love and generosity that was displayed. We were very encouraged!  

Kevin and Pam Greer had the idea to host the fundraiser about a month ago. As word got out, we know that many people helped out in some way. Although we don’t know all the people who helped, we are very grateful to everyone. To some whom we do know:  thanks to Lauren for all the help with the food and raffle items, to Erick and Kaleo for loaning the grill, to Meredith for baking the yummy cakes, to the “Raffleteer” Josh Petras, and especially to the entire Greer family for hosting the event and all your work!

In our quest to finalize this adoption process and be ready with the funds we are lacking, we took a big leap forward with $3,000 raised from the event.  Thank you everyone so much.  

We, the Greers and the Vanderburgs continue to pray and wait for that phone call which will give us the "green light" and date when we must appear before the Ukrainian State Department of Adoption. Please be in prayer for all of us. 

Once again our heartfelt thanks!
Robert, Kim, Tiffany, Kevin, Jason, Kelly 
                (and two waiting in Ukraine)