This picture was taken just before we left. It was the last time we took a walk with these kids to buy them icecream and just talk and show them as best we could that they are precious.
7 months ago we left the Zhytomyr Internot with our daughters and we all cried. We cried and mourned because despite the fact that this was such a joyous occasion to take our daughters as ours forever, we left behind sweet children whom we had come to care for deeply. And our daughters left friends who were really more like sisters. It was the hardest goodbye we have ever had. We prayed fervently for these children and we vowed that we would not forget as they tearfully asked as we left in the taxi that day. One of the girls whom we had come to know and love would not talk to us anymore because the sadness of more children leaving but it not being her, was too much to bear. My heart still aches more than I can bear when I dare to really go back there.
But today we rejoice!
Because on a plane right now are 13 children from Zhytomyr headed to America. And 10 of those are coming to Texas to families in our community, many of whom are our very good friends. It is quite the story how this hosting trip came together and the agony that it has taken our wonderful coordinator and my good friend, Becca, but in the end 13 children will be spending the entire summer with families. Only God knows where it will lead for each of these families and children, but we have seen Him at work to bring this trip together and to raise up these families for these children. So to Him be the glory!!
Vika, Tanya, Galina, Yulia, Leeza, Nikita, and all the others - we will see you tomorrow!!! And we will brush up on our Ukrainian and do a lot of swimming and Uno and playing!!
What a summer it will be :)
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4 comments:
Wow...this is wonderful news!!! We are so excited for you to get to see them again! Please keep us updated and post pics!
Melanie
I know what you mean when your heart aches for the kids left behind. So many on my heart, but especially the boy we tried to adopt. He also could not speak to us the last day we were there, and I think of him every day. Did Olga & Vova come to TX for this hosting trip? I was just thinking of Olga today as a song she loved to sing came on the radio.
What exciting news!!! I know you will all be so excited to see each other. Those kids have been heavy on my heart since you posted about them leaving. What all goes into hosting a child?
I cannot believe all that you all had planned in coming to fruition! We had a great evening with the girls and Camille's family! Thanks for listening today. You are so right--to God be the GLORY and the plans are HIS and HIS alone to make! Can't wait till you all get home and we can get together. Have a safe trip!
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