Wednesday was a good day. In the morning, Steve talked with his brother and one sister on Skype. It was good to have the chance to talk with them. After lunch, Sonja graciously gave us a walking tour of some of the interesting places around downtown Odessa. We met her at the Vineyard Church, here in Odessa. She is a lifetime resident of the city and offered that unique perspective. Lisa had arranged for the tour for Betsy, Gail and me.
I think that there are many stories about the Mother-in-law Bridge, but the one Sonja told us was that the Governor built it over this deep ravine so that it would be easier for his mother-in- law to return home and she would not have to spend the night when she came to visit.
After the tour, we returned to Lisa and Betsy's apartment where Lisa made us a delicious soup for lunch. We spent some time visiting before we walked to the Vineyard Church for worship. We enjoy the praise songs and were able to remember the English words to some and to attempt the Russian words for others. We were blessed to worship with fellow believers from Ukraine and Sweden. The message was presented by Sergey Yaravoy and translated by his wife Julia. Sergey and Julia have a ministry, Youth of Ukraine that ministers to street kids and kids in the orphanages. Please check out their website at http://www.YouthOfUkraine.org
After worship we went to Pan Pizza with Julia and Sergey for a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing and food. God is using this young couple in wonderful ways to touch the lives of many children. Also, Julia is the teacher that we have had giving English lessons to our girls and other kids in the orphanage.
Thank you for all your prayers, they are felt and appreciated - and don't stop praying.
After the tour, we returned to Lisa and Betsy's apartment where Lisa made us a delicious soup for lunch. We spent some time visiting before we walked to the Vineyard Church for worship. We enjoy the praise songs and were able to remember the English words to some and to attempt the Russian words for others. We were blessed to worship with fellow believers from Ukraine and Sweden. The message was presented by Sergey Yaravoy and translated by his wife Julia. Sergey and Julia have a ministry, Youth of Ukraine that ministers to street kids and kids in the orphanages. Please check out their website at http://www.YouthOfUkraine.org
After worship we went to Pan Pizza with Julia and Sergey for a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing and food. God is using this young couple in wonderful ways to touch the lives of many children. Also, Julia is the teacher that we have had giving English lessons to our girls and other kids in the orphanage.
Oh, I almost forgot. (Yeah right.) Our adoption hearing is at 3:00 pm Tuesday December 25 - that is 7:00 am Christmas morning for those of you in the central time zone. What a special Christmas this will be.
Thank you for all your prayers, they are felt and appreciated - and don't stop praying.
4 comments:
Well, Merry Christmas!
I know that these nieces and nephew will be the best Christmas presents I've ever recieved -- and they still would be even if I'd ever gotten that horse I kept asking Mom and Dad for! ;-)
Lots of love to all of you,
Laura
Merry Christmas!
We are keeping you in our prayers and will rejoice with you on Christmas morning!
Cindie And David Wolff
What a great Christmas present! I am so happy for all of you!
This is just incredible! We shall continue to pray and give thanks to God for this amazing Christmas gift.
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