Disappointment Leads to Happiness

Don...


Once we received our hearing date, we knew we had to get in touch with the kids. We didn't want them to find out that they weren't coming here for Christmas without knowing why.... We had to somehow let them know that we would be going there instead...to adopt them!  Rocky tried all morning to get through to the orphanage and speak with them (we can't usually get someone to answer the office phone on the weekends).

We were lucky with the phone today and got through. Although Roman and Natalia seem to understand most of what we say to them, when we do get a chance to speak to them, it is always in the back of our minds that something is left out in the translation.

Fortunately, we just happen to have a neighbor who lives right across the street from us and is from Ukraine. Valya, her sister, Lyuda and  brother in-law, Roman, and daughter, Milla,  all speak perfect Ukrainian. They moved in just before the summer hosting. Now what are the chances of this? In our entire lives, my wife and I never knew anyone from, or who spoke Ukrainian. You know what they say..."God moves in mysterious ways".


     So with some help from Val, we were able to explain to the kids that they would not be coming to the United States for another hosting. Instead, Mommy and Poppy (that's what they call us), will be coming to visit them in Ukraine and apply for the adoption. Val spoke with Roman and explained what was happening. When she told him, he squealed with happiness and was jumping up and down.  (Natalia was not available to speak with us, but I'm sure she will be happy when he tells her the news.) Roman told Val that before we called, he was confused. He was told by someone at the orphanage that he and his sister's flights were cancelled and that they would not be coming to see us for the Christmas hosting. They were given no explanation as to why. Thankfully, we were able to get the good news across to them.... that it was all for a good reason. Roman also told Val that some people there were trying to talk them out of being adopted. Roman was wise beyond his years in his response..."in 3 years I am going to be out of this orphanage on my own and who will take care of me.? I don't have a chance...I am not listening to them. I want to have a family".  It made us all a little teary-eyed.


I have included a photo of Roman and Natalia in the play yard at the orphanage in Ukraine. Natalia's friend in the middle is no longer there...she has been adopted by a family in Georgia. I'm sure Natalia is missing her best friend. When Natalia leaves, the girl to the right will surely be sad. She will have lost both her friends. It breaks my heart to think of it.

Natalia top row second from the left and Roman top right on the end