Christmas in Kiev

We finally got our travel date! Our first appointment in Kiev is December 5th, so we'll probably fly out of Omaha on December 1st or 2nd.

The next couple months will be filled with planning and delegating for several weeks-worth of church stuff, hopefully raising more funds, trying to finish projects on the house, filling out more adoption paperwork, learning to speak some Ukrainian, and looking for crisp $100 bills with no marks or cuts (we have to use cash only, and it has to be "nice" cash).

Unfortunately, Ukrainian and American holidays fall over the end of December and the first couple weeks of January, which means delays. We anticipate being able to return to the States in mid to late January. There is a possibility that we will end up taking two trips b/c of these delays, but we don't know yet.

Another hurdle that could cause delays: as of late, several families have been first referred a child that does not fit their request (primarily due to health). Obtaining a second referral adds one to two weeks to the time in-country. Please pray that we are referred to our daughter the first time around.

We would also appreciate your prayers. Pray for us as we continue to try to raise money, learn some of the language, and get all our details in order. Also, we are dreading such a long stay in Ukraine without many of the things we're used to and without kids for Davi to socialize with. And we know that there will be many unexpected turns along the way, which will add to the stress. We are hoping to be able to enjoy the journey as much as possible.

On the day we got the call with our travel date, I was in the middle of a Bible study I've been working on. When I returned from talking on the phone, the study had me read Psalm 146:5-9:
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

We are so excited to see how God provides for our new little girl.

For anyone interested and living in or near Omaha, our agency is offering an international adoption seminar on October 13th. Check out the America World link to the left for details.