Having Fun In Kiev

Ruth and Luda are enjoying the Hyatt in Kiev! They are eating well, swimming inside, and shopping. Ruth had an interesting encounter with a Christian at the pool. Her name was Olea which means Faith. Her room number was 511 which is Ruth's birthday and a number that has always recurred in Ruth's life. The woman encouraged her in the adoption. It seemed like a clear message from the Lord that He is with her anywhere and everywhere.

They are now basically just waiting for the Passport. It prayerfully will be ready on Thursday. If it is then they can come home Saturday!!

Greg

Back on The Move!!

Ok. Ruth and Luda are on the move! Today the Lord performed a miracle. Ruth, Luda, and Yuri got up at 630am, had breakfast, and then went to the court house at 8am to pickup the court decree. It was ready and then they went to the orphanage to check Luda out for the last time. That went smooth and quickly; then they went to the social worker for final paperwork. By 9am they left for a 4-5 hour drive to Sudak to get the birth certificate. They made it in 3 hours.

They got the new birth certificate (with her new name on it Hannah Luda Viehman) in 30 minutes! This is world record time. Next they drove back to Simferopol and went to the notary and then to get a federal ID number. They were racing the clock to be at the passport office by 4pm. They made it at 3pm which is incredible. They were in and out in 30 minutes; another miracle.

Now they are on a plane to Kiev! They will stay in a Hyatt which is going to be nice. They have to wait until next week to pick up the pport and then start the final phase. This was an impossible day to get it all done but the Lord truly parted the Red Sea!! Nothing moves that fast or efficient there. Everyone thank and praise Jesus and the Father!

Greg

The Court Verdict!

Yesterday we went to court at 11am. There was a judge, 2 jurors, and 2 staff along with the orphanage director, social worker, and our family and facilitator. They asked us questions even Luda. It only took 1.5hrs. They then made us wait for the "verdict" for 20 minutes. We went back into the room and they announced that Luda was now ours!!! Praise Jesus for this! It was a very short time and the judge did both parts back to back. Everyone is ecstatic with joy.

Brendan, Cameron, and I are back in Kiev. We have to get a few documents signed and then we come home tomorrow. We will arrive at 730 pm in Wilmington. Ruth and Luda will be at the Bible camp for another 9 days and then begin the final paperwork before coming home. Ruth should be home around the 6th of July.

It was very hard to leave Ruth, Luda, and all the kids. We were able to give the Gospel tracts to many kids, 2 cab drivers, 1 lady at the place we lived for 2 weeks, a tour guide, a girl in Yalta who worked for the hotel to organize games with the kids, and a Jehovah Witness family we "ran into." We also gave out a few Russian bibles we bought. Please pray for all of these people and the kids to be saved. See you soon!! Pray also for Ruth and Luda!!

Greg

Day # 33 Evpatoria

We are now in Evpatoria at the orphan Bible camp. We will be here until the court date Monday morning at 10am. Please pray. This is the big one. After this the boys and I will start the journey home through Kiev and Ruth will stay at the camp with Luda for the 10 day wait period.

Greg & Ruth

Day #24&25 Yalta

We continue to rest and have fun in Yalta. We went to the beach, McDonald's, and the pool with a big water slide. Tomorrow we take a tour in the am of some famous palaces, one where the Yalta conference took place after WWII. Thank you again the LORD our God!

Greg & Ruth

Day #23 Yalta

We are on vacation in Yalta! Thank you Jesus! We went to the beach, swam in the pool, and walked on the boardwalk. The food is a buffet so we can choose what we want to eat. What a blessing these simple things are now. We will be here until the 10th and then go back to meet Luda and the kids at camp. Today is another day at pool and beach since weather is nice. Sightseeing later in week. Resting! I am glad we got to see this place. It's gorgeous.

Greg & Ruth

Day #22 The Verdict

Well we have our answer. Thank you everyone for praying. We did everything we could in this trial according to The Word. Our model was Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 before his battle. We met with the judge yesterday am. She was very nice and in a good mood. She said everything in the paperwork looked good. We asked for an earlier date, and she said no. BUT she promised to do it all in 1 day on the 14th. At this moment a great peace fell over me from the Lord. I at this moment then knew it was the Lords timing and His will and I could rest in that even though I might not understand. Now we are beginning to see (maybe) some of his reasons. When I had awoken that morning I also knew in the Spirit that we were leaving Portove that day. I even started packing. The ? was where were we going?

Now we are in vacation in Yalta, Ukraine (their top resort destination)! The Lord has blessed us with a luxury vacation for 9 days. Its like the Bahamas and Ocean City NJ combined. It has alot to do with swimming pools, beach, boardwalk etc. The Hotel is VERY nice. Praise God for a rest!

The plan now is that we will return to Evpatoria on the 11th and spend 2 days at the Christian Camp sponsored by New Life from Cary NC. Luda will be at the camp and 5 kids from her orphanage. On Monday we will take her to court (1hr away) and then bring her back. The camp lasts 2 weeks. Ruth will stay at the camp with the kids, Luda, and other Christians during the 10 day wait period. Americans from Cary will also be there in 2 shifts. It will give her time with Luda, be safe, at the beach!, and keep her busy. The boys and I will then go to Kiev, sign some papers and come home around 17th-19th. Ruth will be there until near July 1. After 10 days Luda will be with Ruth rest of away doing the last things of the adoption. Maybe Luda will be saved at the camp and that is the reason for the delay? The camp is excellent and all Biblical 24/7 in a fun way.

In summary praise God for His plan and thank you for praying. We will now give Yalta updates and photos for 1 week It is stunningly beautiful. Go on line and look at pictures.

Day #21

We were supposed to hear from the judge Monday and did not. Today was no better. I am living by Psalm 27 that says to wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. Supposedly we will hear tomorrow when the court date is to be scheduled. If it soon we will wait, if not then we will be coming home and making another trip. At this point short of a miracle from the Lord we cannot all come home together in 1 trip, which was my original plan but it doesn't seem like this is the Lord's plan. I know once its all over and I can look back I will see His wisdom. I am battling my flesh which thinks it knows best even though I understand the Lords plan is the right one.

Today we played at the orphanage again. Many of the kids leave for summer camp tomorrow. They are keeping Luda here until we see what happens with the judge. Please pray for the date to be right away and for our spirits to be renewed. Pray that we be one with the Lord's timing. We are tired at this point and need to get past the court thing. Hopefully tomorrow we will have good news.

Greg