Well, we had six teens for supper. Since we had already pretty much cleaned out the refrigerator, there was nothing much to eat. The kids didn't want McDonald's, so Steve headed to the store for sausage, bread, cheese, chips, pop, crackers, etc. That was well received and every one kept visiting, looking at photos on the computer and watching a video. At about 10:00 pm, our kids walked the other three to the bus. When they got back, we talked a little about going to Kiev tomorrow (pray that it happens). I asked Yulia if she was ready to leave and she replied with a definite "yes". Masha asked if we would be in Kiev for two days and Steve said, "No, five days." That's right five days. If we get to Kiev tomorrow and go to the Embassy on Wednesday, with the older kids, we were told it takes a minimum of 24 hours for the visas. That makes it sometime Thursday morning, so a 6:30 am flight doesn't work. Friday, the flights are all full and Saturday would require $900 worth of upgrades. Not worth it for a one day savings, besides it would keep us from being gone for 60 days. Why not go for the record. It's not as soon as we had hoped, but it is a REAL date.
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We have booked a two bedroom apartment in the City Center in Kiev. It is bigger than the one we have and about three times the nightly rate. But it does have a few extras (see attached link to photos). We haven't spent any time in Kiev yet, so we plan to do some sightseeing.
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Our facilitator went back to Kiev tonight, so we get to pick-up the passport tomorrow. He will call the woman tomorrow and the kids will be the interpreters. A good family activity.
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It is time to leave Odessa. The kids are all ready. I think that they are emotionally drained. They have been saying good-bye for several days now and everyone is ready for that emotional roller coaster to end. At least in Kiev, we will be on neutral ground and spend time with just family. A week ago, Igor said that he had said his good-byes, but then he had to go back to the same town about four days in a row to do some other piece of paperwork. He said that people were going to think he wasn't really leaving. This last week has been stressful, but if all the kids involved, ours and their friends, remember this as a good experience, then it was worth every minute. Maybe God wanted to provide a few more kids with some good memories in lives that may not have many. Well our kids are watching a movie in the living room and Gail and I are in the bedroom working on the two laptop computers and talking on Skype. Yulia came and asked if she could close the door. I guess that we were being too loud. Well, we thought it was our turn.
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So it begins - life as a family. I wonder what the next adventure will be. Only God knows and He's not telling. Whatever He has in store, I'm sure it will be an exciting ride.
2 comments:
Praying your on your way to Kiev! The last days in Kiev can get long...hold strong you will soon me home!!
Five days its better than ten days. We were in Kiev ten days and I was just tired from Kiev.
So be strong and you'll home very soon.
Good luck. We love you and God loves all of you.
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