Today we joined the early shift in the heavy coat brigade in Kiev. Our facilitator Y. called us a little earlier than usual, and so we weaved our way through smoky traffic onto a flat spot in the middle of endless 1960’s Soviet high-rise apartment buildings. This was the inspector’s office where we hoped to find more information about a referral to the orphanage where our boys are. We were right on-time for our 8:30 a.m. appointment, but our inspector was more in the mood for 10 a.m.
Because of the complicated situation with the sister, there was not much clarity about the requirements of the law since the boys and their sister have been separated since they entered the orphanages or maybe earlier according to some speculation. Not wanting to delay us any longer, the inspector gave us verbal permission to go to the orphanage to visit the boys, while she researched more about the situation. So at that point, we drove out, just figuring that plane has yet to land (so to speak).
Fast forward through some dirty industrial areas to the quaint area around the orphanage, where we made our entrance over the unchanged wood floors with some fresh roses and hugs. The director seemed thrilled to see us and we enjoyed our usual first time faire of tea and chocolate. After some great discussion, we were excited to see our 2 boys walk through the door to see us, looking all handsome in their school issued jackets and even wearing dress shoes. They seemed shy at first, but began to loosen up after a while. Little “k” maintained a nervous silence, broken only when our translator asked questions of big “K” that he felt like he should answer on big “K”s behalf.
All in all, it was a great visit where we shared details of God’s grace to us in our family and a few laughs as we began to get answers about some of the thoughts in the mind of these 2 boys. Quickly it was over and they were headed back to a late lunch and class time. So we rode back to our flat, incredibly hungry and dozing in the car as we bounced through the long series of potholes leading into Kiev. Here’s where it gets interesting,
… we got a call tonight from our facilitator Y. telling us he had made some calls to contacts near the location of the sister, and had found some very encouraging information about her. We will know more details on Monday, but for now, please be praying for His glory to be shown in Ukraine and in the nations through this process. We appreciate each of you and are grateful for your encouragement to us. We will miss our family worship gathering this Sunday, but we will be praying for each of you, and will give you more details about the sister and the entire situation as we learn of it.
Blessings,
Chris, Vickie, and Kole
5 comments:
Kirby showed this to me today! I am so excited to read and pray for you on this journey!
Chris and Vicki.... we are so excited to read about your journey. Please know that you and ALL your family are in our thoughts and prayers!! We love you.
We are excited to hear the good news so far. We eill miss you Sunday. Our prayers are with you always.
Hey My Friends - getting ready for worship and had you on my mind this morning - praying for all of you and the new developments. I will look for the kids this morning and plan on taking them a meal on Wednesday. Lets see another KEN - Wow! The name of Sister Shubert's foster home is "Sasha's Home" and it is in a remodeled apartment building - www.barnesfamilyfoundation.com. Just in case you get a chance to look it up.
Chris, Vikki and Kole, Big K, Little K, & Girl K
We are so proud of you. Rebecca & Dave gave us the information for checking on your blog site so we could see how your adventure was going. We look forward to each entry describing your experiences for that day. Sometimes when one of us is trying to read to the other we get so emotional it is hard to finish reading so the other has to take over. You and Vikki are exceptional people….yes you are! We feel as if we are right there with you and get to feel what you are feeling as you follow this journey to adopt and as you meet and learn more about your new children. Girl "K" is so cute and the boys are very handsome. They will fit right into the family. They are blessed children for sure to be a part of such a loving and wonderful family as yours. We look forward to meeting all of new Nichols children one day.
Be safe, know that our love, thoughts and prayers are with you and we look forward to sharing this adventure with you until you get to bring them all home.
Love from Savannah...
Uncle Os and Aunt Fran
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