Day # 20 Face Painting

Well today we were promised to hear from the judge about a court date, but we did not. It is out of our hands and in the Lords. We have prayed and prayed and can now only wait. It has been frustrating and we are growing tired. Please pray for us. I felt weary but then remembered David "strengthened himself in the Lord." Jesus is faithful it worked!!

At the orphanage we brought face painting stuff today and the kids loved it. We also had a great door to share the Gospel with about 15 of them. I printed off the 4 spiritual laws in Russian. The kids took all of them. Ruth, Yuri, and I gave testimony of the Lords’ work in our lives and their need for Him in theirs. Pray that all of these kids would be saved.

We hope to hear tomorrow so we can make plans.

Greg & Ruth

Day #18 & 19

We are in a holding pattern until Monday, when the judge said she will decide when she is scheduling the court hearings. There are 2 needed and we want them back to back. We are praying for Tuesday and Wednesday. She evidently has the case and is reviewing it. Please pray.

Yesterday we went to the graduation for 18 of the children from the orphanage. It was very nice and went very late. It was also sad, because once they leave they have little resources or support. Most of them are sent to a "school" to learn to paint or do manual labor at best.

The Lord continues to sustain us and give us peace each day. Luda is doing very well and enjoying our visits each day. Yesterday we hid a bunch of toy plastic animals in a large shaded and wooded garden area and let the kids go on a treasure hunt. They loved it!! I will update you on Monday when we hear. Keep praying!!

Greg & Ruth

Day #17 The Judge Part 1

Yuri briefly met with the judge. She needs to review the paperwork before she makes any decisions. This should happen today or Monday. We have looked at the timeline and realize we wont be able to all come home together UNLESS judge allows the paperwork to continue during the 10 day wait period. This almost never happens, but the Lord can do it if it is His will. If not then I will have to come home on the 19th and Ruth and the 3 kids 1 week or more later. Please pray for a miracle from the Lord and His perfect will to be done and made manifest to us so we know what to do.

We had another great day at the orphanage. We played with a frisbee today. The kids really liked it. We also brought some sidewalk chalk and played 4 square. They have their own version catered towards soccer where you can only use your body or feet. This is much harder. Thank you for everyone's prayers. We need them. Its easy to get tired without them.

Greg & Ruth

Day #16 Soccer Balls

We had alot of fun today at the orphanage. We keep bringing soccer balls to them since they either bust or get lost over the wall. We have lost 3 since we arrived. The good thing is that they are cheap at the local market. Yuri our facilitator comes back tonight and will go to see the judge Thursday. Please pray! Luda is doing well and continues to enjoy our company. I have a translator friend translating a long letter to her explaining exactly how the Lord led us to her. We should have some news by Thursday or Friday which will affect our return.

Greg & ruth

Day #15 Jump Rope

Today we resumed our “normal” weekday schedule. We had breakfast at 8 and then did homework until 10:30am. Then we went to the market. We bought a few jump ropes and a Frisbee. Lunch was a surprise we were not expecting. Liver! None of us could eat it. We chopped it up and moved it around to make it look as eaten as possible.

We only brought the jump ropes today to the orphanage and they were a huge hit. Kids took turns using them for 2.5hrs. Luda and her friends were actually very good at it, jumping backwards, doing crossovers, double jumps etc. The bubble blowing also continued to be popular.

Luda braided Ruth’s hair and then took her to a mirror to show her. In the picture are a group of older boys playing on the monkey bars. They are all good kids starving for attention. Luda seems to be doing really well taking to us and “sharing” us with the other kids. Everyone wants us to watch what they are doing. The 2.5hrs we have a day are not enough.

Tomorrow Yuri comes back from Kiev and will go to the judge to get a date. We specifically want a date very quickly like May 31 and June 1 and also the ability to get the paperwork moving doing the 10 day wait period after the court hearing. We have been told this almost never happens and it would be a “miracle” from God if that happens. I am praying for the Lord to do it since its easy for Him. May the Lord’s will and timing be done, however.

We love and miss everyone and your comments really help lift us up. Thank you all!!

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31-32

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isa 41:10

Greg & Ruth

Day #14 Back "Home"

Today we came home from our journey with New Life. Since today was a national holiday the kids did not have school. We went to see Luda and the kids at 2pm, and stayed until 6:30pm. We brought bubble blowers and bubbles which was a huge hit. They played with them for hours. We had heard that Luda likes to draw so we also brought some paper and colored pencils. Posted is the drawing that Luda did of Ruth. She did several others which are quite good. I can only draw stick men for some reason. The hoola hoop also got fixed!
In terms of the adoption process Yuri should be picking up our paperwork in Kiev on Wednesday (hopefully/pray) and then coming back here to file it to get a court date. A lot will depend upon the judge giving us the 31st and 1st for court. Pray for the Lord’s will, timing, and protection. There is a real spiritual battle against adoption especially into Christian families.
The Lord is giving us peace and making it home here. We are seeing a side of life that is good for us. In the USA its easy for everything to be about me and my life and will. I find myself complaining or upset over trivial things. This is a good reminder for me when I get home to be quiet, praise God, and serve the Lord and others in need. We are being ministered to by these kids more than we are to them.
Greg & Ruth

Day #13 Orphanage Outreaches

Today we traveled all day with New Life Ministries to 2 orphanages. At these outreaches a Gospel message play was performed followed by small groups reading New Testament. Brendan and Cameron played basketball and Ruth & Cameron played duck duck goose or “ootra ootra goose.” It was a great experience for all of us. Tomorrow morning we go back to Portove and will see Luda after lunch.

This is a big week to find out about the court date. Please pray.

Greg & Ruth

Day #12 The Hoola Hoop

Today was Saturday and we went to the orphanage at 2pm since there was no school. We played with the kids from 2-8pm. We brought the hoola hoop we bought in town. It was a hit! We twirled it, jumped through it and over it. At the end of day it finally broke, but it can be fixed. Luda and the kids had a blast.

At 5:30pm New Life Ministries arrived and we did their normal outreach program with them. It focuses on different Bible lessons ending with small group time and finally play time. After that all 15 of us went back to the place we are living at for dinner. Then we headed to Yepatoria and arrived around 10pm. Tomorrow we will go to 2 orphanages with their Ukrainian team. We will come “home” to Portove Monday morning. There is no school on Monday so we can go see Luda early.

The big deal now is the judge granting and early court date. Please pray for this. If he won’t give us an early one we could have to come back home and return. We don’t want to leave Luda because of the circumstances where her mother left her. We call on you oh LORD for your perfect will and provision for what’s best for Luda!

Pray!!

Greg & Ruth

Rhymes with rink

Day #11 More Fun

Today we continued in our daily routine. We had breakfast at 8 and did homework after that until 10. Then we went into town and bought a few things we needed. We went to the orphanage at 4pm and played with the kids and Luda. It was raining at first so we showed Luda pictures and then did a puzzle. The trouble was it had 500 pieces and no one could put anything together. It finally cleared up and we went outside.

The Lord led me to give some Bible verses to Luda and an older girl we like Vika. I wrote down the references in Russian and tonight Vika will read them to with Luda there and explain them. I have downloaded the 4 spiritual laws in Russian from Campus Crusade and plan to go over it with many of the kids, Lord willing. In the end playing with the kids and spending time with them is a blessing and great need, but they still need to be born again and hear the Gospel. We are going to try and do both and let our relationship and dedication to them open the door for evangelism. Pray for all the kids at Chernoshova orphanage to be saved!

We had another paperwork snafu with a document being left out of the ones that went to Kiev. Please continue to pray about these details since they can cost us 2-3 days at least per occurrence and we don’t have any extra ones to spare.

Tomorrow is Saturday and we will be at orphanage from 2-8pm and then off with New Life Ministries until Monday.

Greg & Ruth

Hint: rhymes with bed

Day #10 On Our Own

Today we were on our own without Yuri who is in Kiev. We did homework from 830-11am and then went into town, Rhazdolne, to exchange $ and do some shopping. I was able to tell the Taxi driver in Russian everything we needed to do. I exchanged the $ and we went to the market which is like an old fashioned open air market. We bought 3 soccer balls for the orphanage since they only had 1 for 75 kids. We also bought Luda a few oranges to share with her friends.

Lunch is always at 1pm and dinner at 7pm. We go to the orphanage everyday from 4-630. Yesterday we played monkey in the middle and used the monkey bars. The kids had a great time since no one really goes there to play with them except maybe once a month. Friday will be more of the same!

We are in a holding pattern with paperwork. Yuri needs to turn in documents on Friday in Kiev pick them up on Wednesday and then return. Continue to pray for the court dates and also getting the passport and birth certificate during the 10day wait period.

Luda is immensely excited to be adopted. Yesterday she told us she loved us in English.

She was left all alone in Moscow when she was 6 by her Mom. We dont know how long she was on her own until she was picked up and brought back to Ukraine. Crazy and sad but true. May the Lord begin to heal her heart. Pray for her. I have a childrens New Testament in Russian I will have her start reading. The Word is key!

Greg & Ruth

Day #9 Update

Today the facilitator traveled by to Kiev to get some paperwork done for the adoption. He comes back in 1 week. Our translator is gone!! We went to the orphanage and played with Luda and the kids for 2.5 hrs and had a great time. When we got there Luda ran and changed into the new clothes Ruth bought her, which was cute. All of the kids come to play when they see us. They are starving for attention. We play soccer, kickball, monkey bars, and with the local goats (Kaza in Russian). We also had tea and pastries with the orphanage director. Its an insult to say no, but I am caffeine sensitive and have not had any in a few years. I drank it in faith to not offend and the Lord did not allow the caffeine to affect me.

The court hearing is 2 days long and it could be the May31st and 1st of June, which is what we want. We also need the judge to allow the paperwork to proceed during the 10 day wait period after the 2 court hearings in order to come home on time on the 19th. Please pray specifically for this situation, but may the Lords will and timing be done since He knows best.

We love and thank you all

Greg, Ruth, Brendan, Cameron

Day #8 Paperwork

Today we drove 4hrs and back to Simferopol because the local notary rejected our form signing which is NOT typical. Now we know why or how the Lord used it for the good. In going to Simferopol, which we would not have done otherwise, we were able to buy Luda shoes and few clothes and her favorite desert type pastry. Her only shoes had the soles so worn on the inner part that she walked with her feet inverted. When we got back we gave her everything and she was glowing with a smile. I cant post a picture of her until the adoption is official. Yesterday she continued to run to us and hug us which is an amazing feeling.

Now the paperwork part begins. Our biggest issue is the judge allowing the court hearing and paperwork to proceed quickly. We really need favor with him like Daniel got from the Lord with the chief enuch. Please pray for favor, protection, and the Lord to fight the unseen battle occuring around us.

We will now be hanging out here until Saturday while the facilitator travels back to Kiev to get somethings done for the court hearing. On Saturday New Life Ministries, the group I went with 1 yr ago, will be at the orphanage on their outreach daily mission. We will meet up with them and go back with them to Yepatoria (1hr away). Then on Sunday and Monday we travel with them on their missions to other orphanages before returning "home."

We thank you all for your comments and prayers they mean alot!

Greg & ruth

Day #6 & 7 The Journey & 1st Meeting

We traveled from Kiev 1.5hrs by plane to Simferopol by plane. This is in the very southern Ukraine. We then took a 2hr car ride to the orphanage area. We are staying in the very northwest part of the Crimea in a town called Portova near Chernoshova. It s in the middle of nowhere, literally.

We got here by trial. When we arrived at the airport our plane tickets were somehow for the wrong day! There was only 45 minutes to take off. The Lord working in the last moments got us on the flight without much of a fee! Thank you Jesus!!

The town is a small Ukrainian village. We are staying right on the Black Sea. A man has a "resort" here. Its like a cabin camp. The rooms are clean and all the food is home made.

Today we 1st went to the social workers office then to the orphanage. When Luda 1st walked in the room we instantly knew she was our daughter in an indescribable and incredible way from the Lord. It was almost surreal. It was if she was always our daughter and now we were finally reunited. She had a glowing smile. After meeting us she decided to come with us!! She is the one. I wasn't crazy hearing her name when I prayed in her room each am afterall.

We played with her and had a good time., We have run into problems with the notary and have to drive 4hr in the am to fix it. Please pray for all of the paperwork that now ensues. We also need favor with the local judge.

We are truly blessed by today beyond description. To meet a child that was ordained by the Lord before we knew her is an amazing experience. I am speechless and cannot describe it!

Greg & Ruth

Day #5 In Kiev

Today we walked all around Kiev and went sightseeing. We had dinner in a cool restaurant built in a tree house. Tomorrow we leave for the orphanage. We fly from Kiev to Simferopol and then drive all the way to the west coast of the peninsula called the Crimea. We are ready to go!

Greg

Day #4 The Official Referral

Today we picked up our official "referral" to visit Luda in the Crimea. Thanks again to the Lord for making this happen. We will travel there on Sunday and hangout in Kiev until then.

We went shopping today at toy store to bring a small gift for Luda which is customary. I have never shopped for a Barbie before! We had a hard time finding a Barbie that was in "proper" attire.

We are enjoying the city and having fun using our Russian. We are staying on the main street and there is alot to do. Its kinda of like Manhattan in that its always busy. Thanks for your prayers!

Greg & Ruth

Day #3 The SDA Meeting

Today at 9am we met with the SDA (government adoption agency) to "pick" a child.

The girl we thought the Lord was leading us to, Luda, was available and our other choice was not! The Lord made it clear Luda seems to be the one (so far anyway). The picture that they showed us of her looks EXACTLY like Ruth when she was little. Praise God that He continues to lead us and pave the way. Now we travel south 1 hour by plane and 2 hrs by car to her village in the Crimea by Black Sea. That occurs on Sunday. We have paperwork to pickup on Friday. I feel strongly in my heart she is the one! Thank you Lord.

Greg & Ruth

Day #2 Sightseeing in Kiev

Today was a free day while we await our SDA appointment in the morning. We walked around town and saw a few of the historic cathedrals. 1 was over 1,000 years old. Tomorrow at 9am is the day we select a child to visit. There is a strong spiritual attack/oppression here. Keep praying and God bless!

Greg & Ruth

Day #1 We Arrived in Ukraine

After 20 hours of travel and layovers, despite the volcano thing going on, we made it!

Praise God! We are in Kiev in an apartment on the main street downtown. We had dinner with our facilitator Yuri and are now getting unpacked and ready for bed. Tomorrow we have a day of sightseeing and rest before our meeting with the State Department for Adoptions (SDA) on Thursday at 9am. Being praying since that is the day and time we "pick" a child to visit for possible adoption.

Greg, Ruth, Brendan, & Cameron