Saturday, April 11, 2009

Final visit to the courthouse...

It’s really kind of funny to get to Obolonski district each morning. If you have an aversion to really tight personal space, I recommend praying before you get on an inbound subway train in the “get to work” hours (and the same thing goes for the afternoons) There are actually so many people in the subway cars that you are pressed in and don’t have to hold on to the bars because a) you can’t raise your hand-it is stuck by your side and b) because there is no room to fall- it is like a human foam packing crate. Everyone stares at some distant point so as to not look into the eyes, hair, ear, or nose of whoever is in front of you, beside you, etc…you get the picture.

We know the courthouse guard so well now that he just waves us through. It was interesting to find that the “head judge” that we planned to meet with this morning is not there. He has appointed a substitute, and it is the same person who held court for our previous 2 adoptions. (Not the judge we have had this time around) She (the substitute) has always been reasonable and kind to us. We’ll call her Judge Happy for short. We explained the deal. She listened to the deal. She did help us by giving a quick phone call to the other judge (Judge Not-So-Happy) and the court clerk and assistant. They were told to at least print, sign, and stamp the addendum document, but the catch is that the addendum has a written note that is under the stamp that basically says “this takes power with the law after 5 days”…there is not a way around it.

Still- thankfully, we were able to leave the courthouse (hopefully for the final time) to take the document to the “birth certificate chief”. She can’t issue the certificate until Tuesday morning, but at least she said she would have everything ready for us at 9 am.

I was able to help Yuriy find some medicine for our friend Vickie Carter, who is in the middle of an adoption in Poltava area, and then I accompanied a couple from Virginia who are adopting a 3 year old as we went in to the US Embassy for a short visit. They were preparing to leave and return after the waiting period, and I went in to check with the Embassy officials to remind them I still exist here in Ukraine, and to see how I might help expedite the upcoming US fingerprint and photo scan process.

Hopefully the weekend will bring some time with Kollin, Kayla, and Kory that involves more than just paperwork. I look forward to watching the dynamic as they begin to more fully learn family life as opposed to orphanage life. This Sunday we will try to make the drive outside Kiev to Kayla’s church meeting. They have asked to pray for us as a family!

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers for us! Jesus Christ continues to supply great peace through His very own life in me, and He alone can take credit and praise.

Greetings to you on this Friday of His perfect sacrificial death on our behalf…
Chris

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’” Matthew 16: 15-16

2 comments:

Nichols Family said...

We are so excited!! We can all breath a sign of relief now...The kids can't wait for all of you to come home. We have been praying together for you and we love and miss you. It is just not the same with you not here with us. We finally watched the movie that I started watching in January on the way to Ukraine and didn't get to see the ending because the plane was ready to land...so for 3 months I have wondered how it ended. It reminds me of how we are getting closer to seeing how our adoption story will finally end. (after 3 months now). Talk with you tomorrow! Love you! Your family

sue said...

Yay for progress!! This truly is a war, a battle for these children. The adversary would have them stay where they are, hopeless and alone. Praise be to God for the victory He gives. Continuing to pray for you all.
Bill and Sue