Relaxing on the weekend

We arrived in Kiev yesterday morning by train. It was a long day on Friday and a long night. More paperwork to do at the orphanage and the notary, and a lot of time sitting and waiting, but we were able to get both passports and make the train, which was the important part. Also had dinner (at McDonalds - again!) with my friend Oleg and his parents. I had plans to go to a nice cafe somewhere and have a relaxing dinner but we just ran out of time, and McDonalds is close the the train station and it's fast.

Oleg has been very helpful over the last 2-3 years, and it was good to see him again. He runs an awesome ministry in Kharkov that works with the older kids who are ageing out of the orphanages, teaching them life skills and trying to give them some preparation for the future. The girls adore him. He is an incredible guy, and his dedication to helping orphans is all the more remarkable because he is physically handicapped. It's very difficult to get around here in a wheelchair! We had a hard time getting him into the McDonalds for dinner. The economy here is very bad, like everywhere, and he was sharing that he is struggling to find enough funds to continue his work. He makes a living as a translator for businesses and funds the ministry largely himself, but his business is slow right now. He says the up side of that is he has more time for ministry, but less funds to run it. He is looking for Christians to partner financially with him so he can continue helping kids. So if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll give you more information.

The train was ok, it was one of the older slower ones. I mentioned the other day that Vika was not feeling well during the drive back into Kharkov and I thought it was just nerves and stress. Turns our she may have a little trouble with motion sickness. She was sick on the back back and forth to town on Friday and again on the train Friday night. (We were up until midnight with her) It's not a virus as she is fine the rest of the time. So when we go see the doctor tomorrow we will ask him about some medicine for the plane. Could be a very long day!!

So we were all exhausted when we arrived back in Kiev yesterday so we have been taking it easy watching TV and listening to "musica". We have also been having some fun. We are staying with some friends of Halya and they took us ice skating yesterday and today to see a live children's musical called Chipolina - or Onion. Think Veggie Tales Russian style. It was cute and fun. I actually managed to get around the skating rink twice, holding onto the wall the entire way. Really large rink, about twice the size of the roller rink back home. This afternoon it snowed and the girls and I went for a walk to the "magazine" or convenience store, and bought some gum and snacks.

Well, tomorrow we are off to the embassy to submit our paperwork and then to get the medicals for the girls. Another day of walking in Kiev. I'll have to write about walking on the ice again sometime. Suffice it to say that it is very difficult and I wish I had invested in better boots. The ones I have keep my feet warm - as long as I don't step in the water - but they have really bad traction. I have fallen three times but my angels are working overtime and so far not even a bruise.

Thanks for all they prayers and the emails. Things are going so well and it's such a relief to be almost done!!

Love to you all!

Sheri