Getting here was not fun! I was in Chicago for work and Melaney was supposed to meet me in Chicago so we could travel together. Well...Mother Nature had another idea! There was terrible weather in Chicago so Melaney couldn't get there. She ended up having to fly into Milan and I went onto Munich then we met up in Kiev. THAT is where the fun begins...the 'VIP Escort' was there this time, but really didn't do a whole lot to help except to tell me how great he is and yell at me. Oh well...the toy bags made it through BUT I did get stopped by customs. I highly recommend him!! He as effective :)))
OK...I have to tell you more about the prop plane. This one takes the cake! I rode on it 2x last trip and Jason took 4 tours but this plane was even older and so AWESOME! We have included pictures and video of take-off but none of these really do it justice. It is like being in a huge Volkswagen bus going 600mph and being propelled into the air with Fred Flintstone is driving. Then, when you land the noise is similar to someone rolling you down a hill on a gurney out of control. It is something to look forward it. Pics but...but watch THIS (THIS is a link...click on it!)
Sergei was there to pick us up and couldn't believe the baggage...but we got it all to fit inside his car! He is the BEST! He did tell me that Vika was still not back at the Chernigivka yet. She is supposed to be back tonight. I cannot believe they let her stay away this long...but tomorrow that will all be fixed. We leave here at 6am in the morning to go and get Vika's birth certificate, tax ID (like a SSN), and then we will be at Chernigivka to pick up Vika!!!! After that onto apply for her new passport. That is the variable that determines how long we stay. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE ONE DAY PASSPORT! We will find out tomorrow if we are getting one and, if so, will have it Saturday. We will let you know!
We are looking forward to spending time with the kids. We have to be back in Zap tomorrow afternoon to get some paperwork completed for her passport application so we may not have a lot of time there tomorrow. If we don't we will go back Sunday and/or Monday to celebrate birthdays of some of the kids there and to hand out toys!!!!!!!!!
By the way, there is a book I have started reading that I would HIGHLY recommend. It is called Orphanology. It has a forward written David Platt (Radical) and is so great. I truly believe that there is a purpose for me and something I am supposed to do to help these children even after bringing Vika home. Someone has to advocate for these kids. Even the few chapters I have read are showing me how many opportunities there are. More on that in another blog...time to post the pics and videos (below) and get some sleep!
Oh my goodness I am going to find that book tomorrow!!!!!! As for the picture below what in the world??? Is that a ramp? Like for wheelchairs? I know that is headed to the restroom?
ReplyDeletePraying for you friend. Can't wait for you guys to make it home but I know you are going to make such a huge difference in so many childrens lives.
I think that Vova's b'day is on the 31st. Be sure and wish him a happy one! And a pic would be icing. =)
ReplyDeleteJust watched your plane video. That is CRAZY!!
ReplyDeleteOH I DON'T Think I will be getting on that plane! That's might be worse than the plane we flew on in Kazakhstan during Jon Jon's adoption trip! I loved the fact that both of you were laughing as it took off! - that's awesome! I would have been wrapped around one of you crying!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm interested to see what the train ride will be like. If God has it in his plans for me to go there, I might walk! :)
Oh, I meant to guess about the picture below... is the one with the slide looking thing a ramp foor wheel chairs and strollers? Or is a slide of those that need to go potty really, really quick? Haha! :)
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