Entering the Home Stretch...Literally!

The past two days have been much better as our visits to the orphanage have been been a bit more interactive with Maria! 

On Tuesday afternoon, we were met near the soccer fields by Dave and Darci Funk.  They had just returned from the final stage of paperwork and were with their new son Stas ready to head home to Virginia.  It was great to be there when they left...Stas' backpack was bigger than any I have ever seen!  He wasn't leaving anything behind!  We were blessed to get to know such a Godly couple and seeing them take their boy home was very encouraging!  Proof again that God is Good!

Maria has had dance class all week from 5 to 6pm.  We have gotten to watch her rehearsing the performance with the other children.  The dance teacher is very patient as it is not always an easy group!  It was neat seeing her in this "production" and I think the kids enjoyed an audience...remember no Moms and Dads to come see them practice or perform - harsh but reality. 

Kevin and Stephanie come up to Maria's floor on Tuesday after her dance practice and Kevin played and sang some songs on a guitar he purchased here.  Kevin is part of the worship band at his church so they got a true performance.  The boys in her group were fascinated by him playing and enjoyed the entertainment! 

Today we spent most of the time on the playground outside before Maria had to go to dance.  Kelly was the center of attention once again as she coached Maria and several of her friends in gymnastics.  One of Maria's friends is quite the gymnast and had Kelly and I wondering about a "sports visa"??!  :)  The actual unfortunate fact is that this girl and her older sister have a family in the states that want to adopt them but they are "not available" like many of the kids we meet.  I know that some legitimate reasons exist, but most of the stories we have heard are not enough to keep a kid in this environment when a family is ready for them.  Realities like this make being here very hard sometimes...can't wait to get Maria home.

We said goodbye to Kevin and Stephanie today as they completed their court time and are now in the ten day waiting period.  Kevin is staying in Ukraine and Stephanie is flying home to her kids.  Again, we were blessed with another Godly couple to join us on this journey...despite them being from California (inside joke amongst the delirious in Kherson)!

We spoke to the kids tonight and they seem to be doing well with Larry and Sandy.  It is Larry's birthday today and hopefully he felt as special as he should.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LARRY!  Larry, Sandy and even their dog Molly all will have celebrated their birthdays while on this adventure with our kids!  Friends of ours have invited them to a Luau on Saturday near Lake Lanier...swimming and BBQ...really home sick now!

We ask for continued pray for our meeting with the judge on Monday.  We do not anticipate any surprises but not everything has gone exactly as planned.  Please pray that we have a quick hearing and that nothing comes up that will delay us getting Maria home.

God is Good!