After visiting the kids in the orphanage on Sunday, Sasha took us to see one of the main attractions of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, the old fortress. The city recently celebrated its 2500th anniversary. It is considered the oldest city in the Ukraine. Along with Rome and Athens, it is one of the 10 most ancient towns in the world. It is also one of the most better preserved medieval structure in Ukraine. The walls are over 2 km in length. Over the years, it passed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The following is a link with further details: http://discover-ukraine.info/places/southern-ukraine/odesa/177
We are having a great time at the orphanage. Snizhana and Ilya are beautiful children. Each day is an opportunity to love on these children and receive it in return. Although Ilya is still a little shy, he and his sister seem to get along well together. Diana asked Snizhana on Sunday if she remembered anything about her parents and I think she said , in effect, "How can you not remember?" and that she would rather remember us instead. The only thing we know is that neither parent worked, father died at age 43 last year and mother neglected the children and did not want to take ownership of the children and ended up moving in with a new man. I am not sure what happened in her family or what form of neglect took place, but something no child should have to face. Snizhana has not wanted to say much about her parents and has taken to us quite well and is so generous with her hugs. It is a shame that a mother abandoned such lovely children, although it is a blessing to have the opportunity for us to adopt them into our family.
I know that God has prepared me for this day going back over a long time. I could have never imagined taking this step many years ago, but now, I cannot even imagine not taking it. I think God helped grow my love for children through the sports ministries at Colonial Baptist Church. I dipped my toes in the water by being an assistant coach on Jennifer's 1st and 2nd grade soccer team. I was a little bit braver the following years as she progressed into 3rd/4th grade by offering to be the head coach. I chickened out a little because I felt unsure of being able to be effective at coaching at the 3rd/4th grade level and asked to work again at the assistant level. However, after that, I assumed the responsibility of being the head coach. When Jennifer started 4th grade, I began coaching her Upward basketball teams and also moving into refereeing the games, usually from morning to evenings. Each year, I felt myself being drawn more and more into working with these children and feeling as if I was being blessed more and more - probably much more than they ever got from me. It is not a journey I could have imagined, but God has plans bigger than ours.
After being here at the orphanage for several days now, we are amazed at how your love seems to multiply and your heart opens up. We are open up to the possibility that this may not be the end of our adoption process. We want to see where God is leading us in this area and being open to His calling, but we covet your prayers as we try to discern His will. Being here, your heart opens wider to love even more.
We are having a great time at the orphanage. Snizhana and Ilya are beautiful children. Each day is an opportunity to love on these children and receive it in return. Although Ilya is still a little shy, he and his sister seem to get along well together. Diana asked Snizhana on Sunday if she remembered anything about her parents and I think she said , in effect, "How can you not remember?" and that she would rather remember us instead. The only thing we know is that neither parent worked, father died at age 43 last year and mother neglected the children and did not want to take ownership of the children and ended up moving in with a new man. I am not sure what happened in her family or what form of neglect took place, but something no child should have to face. Snizhana has not wanted to say much about her parents and has taken to us quite well and is so generous with her hugs. It is a shame that a mother abandoned such lovely children, although it is a blessing to have the opportunity for us to adopt them into our family.
I know that God has prepared me for this day going back over a long time. I could have never imagined taking this step many years ago, but now, I cannot even imagine not taking it. I think God helped grow my love for children through the sports ministries at Colonial Baptist Church. I dipped my toes in the water by being an assistant coach on Jennifer's 1st and 2nd grade soccer team. I was a little bit braver the following years as she progressed into 3rd/4th grade by offering to be the head coach. I chickened out a little because I felt unsure of being able to be effective at coaching at the 3rd/4th grade level and asked to work again at the assistant level. However, after that, I assumed the responsibility of being the head coach. When Jennifer started 4th grade, I began coaching her Upward basketball teams and also moving into refereeing the games, usually from morning to evenings. Each year, I felt myself being drawn more and more into working with these children and feeling as if I was being blessed more and more - probably much more than they ever got from me. It is not a journey I could have imagined, but God has plans bigger than ours.
After being here at the orphanage for several days now, we are amazed at how your love seems to multiply and your heart opens up. We are open up to the possibility that this may not be the end of our adoption process. We want to see where God is leading us in this area and being open to His calling, but we covet your prayers as we try to discern His will. Being here, your heart opens wider to love even more.
So beautiful Stuart. You did an excellent job capturing this experience in this post...Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete