sorry for not blogging yesterday there was not much going on it was a day of rest. It is amazing how tired you can get from doing absolutely nothing. Just the activity and effort it takes to find suitable food and communicate with people is exhausting plus the weight and oppression of this place is draining. This may be the thing we notice more and more. Most times when you see something out of the norm in a short period of time you grow desensitized to it but not here. Ukraine is not third world like Haiti or parts of Africa. It is the oppression and heaviness of the constant pollution, broken down everything and the harshness of the people at least the ones we meet. On the other hand in the Villages out in the countryside life seems to be simple, quaint and positive. Our driver today provided some insight when he said they don't have money to fix the roads only small patches, its like putting a band aid on an amputated leg. He also said that when the Soviet Union fell apart 20 years ago that all the factories in Ukraine shut down and that is why there are so many empty buildings. This made lots of sense since it looks as if not a single repair to roads, bridges or buildings has been done in over twenty years.
Yesterday we went on a 4 mile walk to find Internet cards and because we were bored. Heidi made the entire walk (Super Prego strikes again) There are many stray dogs which we are use to seeing and the seem well fed. But avoid eye contact because you have never seen a puppy face like this:-( We saw one of the toughest things we have seen here yesterday A teenager sleeping on the street, skin and bones. Unfortunately this is the reality for the children in the orphanage. When they turn 16 they have to go to a trade school or leave the orphanage. After two years at the trade school they are turned out on the streets. Many turn to alcohol, Drugs and prostitution. Some of these things start even before they leave the orphanage. Orphans are looked at as a disease and lower than the stray dogs on the street. So with no family, no education to speak of and an unemployment rate reaching to almost 30% what options are these children left with? Its hard to feel good about adopting one child when so many deserve more.
First at 8:30am we went to the Ukraine Superstore (it was actually the first American style superstore we have been to, It was Glorious) We went for snacks, beach towels, umbrellas and some games. We met the dipiazzos and headed to the beach around 10am. Except for the 80% grade to get down to the beach it was nice. There was nice sand tourist activities like paddle boats, Banana boats and these clear huge balls in the water you could go into and run on the water. Vendor were walking up and down the beach with various types of food. I even felt better about my muscle to chub ratio after seeing the company on the beach. I have never in my life seen such a low body mass to clothing ratio. All in all the beach was nice EXCEPT WAIT NO CHILDREN! The orphanage director did not let the children come to the beach today so we packed up our stuff and headed to the summer camp. Back up the 80% grade w/ the 100 pound backpack full of enough snacks and water to feed an army and down the road to the camp.
When we got into the camp we had a hard time finding Iliah. Finally Heidi started asking every orphan until one of them took us to him. He was in the wash house with his brother, they were washing their clothes. it was a pavilion with troughs with multiple faucets. The smell was unpleasant but watching them (brothers) wet the cloths, take the bar soap and scrub them down then rinse them out was sweet. They took the wet clothes hung them out to dry with the other children's clothes. Oh when the children Papa as they ran through the camp. Iliah Mama, Papa. Iliah Mama, Papa. When he came out of the wash house he ran to us and squeezed us as hard as he could. He and his brother couldn't wait to show us the bath house.
After the bath house Iliah and his brother changed their clothes. Iliah put on a pair of short pants that were 20 sizes too big. He had to keep pulling them up as he walked through the camp. His brother ran to get a green Coca cola hat that I gave him the first day we met. He was proud to wear it and to let me smell it showing me that he had recently washed it. The sister Lisa met us in the camp and we offered them some snacks and water, they are all so skinny. We had brought a badminton set for the beach so we busted that out and Heidi, me Iliah and his brother Vlady played for a half hour with no net until I broke the birdie. It was a blast. Then Iliah took me to the game house where they had Table tennis and things. He was proud to show me around and everyone wanted to play me in table tennis. It was like show and tell and I was the show. I have to say I held my own in table tennis. It was then time to go since we can only visit from 10am - noon and then from 4pm - 6pm each day. When we needed to leave Iliahs demeanor changed quickly from energetic and playful to somber and affectionate. We told him that we would see him at the beach @ 4pm when they let the children come down.
It was amazing to see Iliah, He still has the same spark and life in his eyes we found during Christmas. 6 months can really change a child and it is great to see it has not change our son too much. The three siblings are sweet together, eager to spend time with us and just as Sweet as Iliah. The older brother Vlady is Iliah's playmate although Iliah is definitely the leader. The older sister Lisa is like the mother hen always standing off to the side watching over her younger brother.
Watching them together I have to ask myself are we doing the right thing? Breaking up the family? They love each other so much? How they will miss Iliah and how hard it must have been for them when they were asked to approve the adoption. They said they loved him and they wanted him to have an opportunity at a better life. What a display of selfless love. Interacting with the three siblings today I wondered what kind of woman their mother was? She must have been a special woman to have raised these three to be so sweet and caring.
Our resolve to finish this adoption is stronger than ever.
I can't wait to see my boy on the beach @ 4pm today.
Yesterday we went on a 4 mile walk to find Internet cards and because we were bored. Heidi made the entire walk (Super Prego strikes again) There are many stray dogs which we are use to seeing and the seem well fed. But avoid eye contact because you have never seen a puppy face like this:-( We saw one of the toughest things we have seen here yesterday A teenager sleeping on the street, skin and bones. Unfortunately this is the reality for the children in the orphanage. When they turn 16 they have to go to a trade school or leave the orphanage. After two years at the trade school they are turned out on the streets. Many turn to alcohol, Drugs and prostitution. Some of these things start even before they leave the orphanage. Orphans are looked at as a disease and lower than the stray dogs on the street. So with no family, no education to speak of and an unemployment rate reaching to almost 30% what options are these children left with? Its hard to feel good about adopting one child when so many deserve more.
First at 8:30am we went to the Ukraine Superstore (it was actually the first American style superstore we have been to, It was Glorious) We went for snacks, beach towels, umbrellas and some games. We met the dipiazzos and headed to the beach around 10am. Except for the 80% grade to get down to the beach it was nice. There was nice sand tourist activities like paddle boats, Banana boats and these clear huge balls in the water you could go into and run on the water. Vendor were walking up and down the beach with various types of food. I even felt better about my muscle to chub ratio after seeing the company on the beach. I have never in my life seen such a low body mass to clothing ratio. All in all the beach was nice EXCEPT WAIT NO CHILDREN! The orphanage director did not let the children come to the beach today so we packed up our stuff and headed to the summer camp. Back up the 80% grade w/ the 100 pound backpack full of enough snacks and water to feed an army and down the road to the camp.
When we got into the camp we had a hard time finding Iliah. Finally Heidi started asking every orphan until one of them took us to him. He was in the wash house with his brother, they were washing their clothes. it was a pavilion with troughs with multiple faucets. The smell was unpleasant but watching them (brothers) wet the cloths, take the bar soap and scrub them down then rinse them out was sweet. They took the wet clothes hung them out to dry with the other children's clothes. Oh when the children Papa as they ran through the camp. Iliah Mama, Papa. Iliah Mama, Papa. When he came out of the wash house he ran to us and squeezed us as hard as he could. He and his brother couldn't wait to show us the bath house.
After the bath house Iliah and his brother changed their clothes. Iliah put on a pair of short pants that were 20 sizes too big. He had to keep pulling them up as he walked through the camp. His brother ran to get a green Coca cola hat that I gave him the first day we met. He was proud to wear it and to let me smell it showing me that he had recently washed it. The sister Lisa met us in the camp and we offered them some snacks and water, they are all so skinny. We had brought a badminton set for the beach so we busted that out and Heidi, me Iliah and his brother Vlady played for a half hour with no net until I broke the birdie. It was a blast. Then Iliah took me to the game house where they had Table tennis and things. He was proud to show me around and everyone wanted to play me in table tennis. It was like show and tell and I was the show. I have to say I held my own in table tennis. It was then time to go since we can only visit from 10am - noon and then from 4pm - 6pm each day. When we needed to leave Iliahs demeanor changed quickly from energetic and playful to somber and affectionate. We told him that we would see him at the beach @ 4pm when they let the children come down.
It was amazing to see Iliah, He still has the same spark and life in his eyes we found during Christmas. 6 months can really change a child and it is great to see it has not change our son too much. The three siblings are sweet together, eager to spend time with us and just as Sweet as Iliah. The older brother Vlady is Iliah's playmate although Iliah is definitely the leader. The older sister Lisa is like the mother hen always standing off to the side watching over her younger brother.
Watching them together I have to ask myself are we doing the right thing? Breaking up the family? They love each other so much? How they will miss Iliah and how hard it must have been for them when they were asked to approve the adoption. They said they loved him and they wanted him to have an opportunity at a better life. What a display of selfless love. Interacting with the three siblings today I wondered what kind of woman their mother was? She must have been a special woman to have raised these three to be so sweet and caring.
Our resolve to finish this adoption is stronger than ever.
I can't wait to see my boy on the beach @ 4pm today.
Just think of adoption like this you may be breaking up a family,but you are giving one family member a right to a better life which in turn can beneifit them in the end. Can I say VISA!!! Atlast his siblings wanted to sign off! You will find some that won't! Have fun at the beach we will skpe you later London is here so you can see your little girls Face!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day. Jessica was here visiting and we were looking at pictures of Illiah and Dima. Both so sweet. I know you will enjoy your time. You know God has called you to invite Illiah into your family and his siblings will always be part of his family too but from a distance. God's family is very large but all connected as well. Keep the faith through all the struggles and hard things to see. When we serve such a big God there is no telling what He has in store. You simply get a glimpse at what He has for Illiah. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHi mom and dad i miss you and Iliah too. Every thing here is great but it could be better if you were here. I love you so much.
ReplyDelete