While I have a minute to post, I thought I'd check in. Wifi, for the most part, has been nonexistant. We're in Odessa, UKR.... getting on an overnight train which will take us to western Ukraine, near the Hungary bordrer. The team has split up, with some of us going on the train and the rest driving back to Kiev. It's quite a bit warmer herer than what it was in Kiev and Balta. One night we had temps near 20 below.... that's -20 farenheit!! That's cold no matter how you slice it!!
I have so much to talk about.... so much to relay. From the "dead rat" smelling "Soviet" hotel and the amazing kids we met at Tulchin orphanage and others. (There were 4 from Tulchin I wanted to stuff in my suitcase and bring with me.)
Lunch is here.... time to go. I'll post more later as wifi is available.
I have more exciting news....
I just got permission to share....
Vladik's winter host family has started adoption paperwork!
I am so pleased for him.... AND for them!!
Here's the thing...
We know that God is always at work in the lives of His people.
We KNOW (or should know) that He works everything out according to His purposes... in HIS time... in HIS way. But still, there are times when we wonder.... times when we can't see God's hand.
WELL. Let me tell you about God's hand in THIS.
The New Horizons interview team didn't return to Vladik's orphanage this summer to interview kids for the winter hosting program. Only those children who had been hosted previously were eligible to come back.
Because we followed the Lord's leading and hosted Vladik this past summer, he was available for hosting over Christmas.
Because we followed the Lord's leading and hosted Vladik this past summer, he spent Christmas with a family here in the US who grew to love him--- and are now working to adopt him. :-)
Wait-wait-wait... it gets even better.:-)
Very near Vladik's future family is another family... who just so happens to be adopting a boy from the same orphanage that Vladik is from. This boy also just so happens to be a very good friend of Vladik's.
So, when the paperwork is finished and families are reunited... not only will Vladik have a wonderful new family (and they'll have a wonderful new son)... but he'll be near a good friend. And good friends are sometimes hard to come by.
We don't always get to see the fruit of our labors.
We don't always get to see how the Lord has used us in someone's life.
We don't always notice God in the details.
But He's ALL OVER this one... and I'm so glad to be a small part of it.
As I get more involved with New Horizons, I'm being presented with more opportunities to share this amazing ministry with others. Just yesterday, I was facebooked by 3 people... all friends of friends... who are interested in finding out more about orphan hosting. All have been looking for a "family missions trip" for some time, but nothings quite worked out. All are considering orphan hosting AS their family missions trip. YAY!!
I leave for Ukraine in 10 days.
10 days.
I still have A LOT of things to finish up, but I'm crossing off items on my to do list every day.
"Everyone" keeps asking me if I'm packed yet. I can't decide if they're serious, or if that's just something people think they need to say when they know someone is travelling.
No, I'm not packed yet. I'm still wearing much of what I'll be taking with me.
I can start gathering some things together, but I won't be packing until the say or two before I leave.
I've been witness to some remarkable things- God things- since New Horizons asked me to join them on this interview trip.
1. Rick said "yes."
2. Joe and Kyle "yes." :-)
3. The 1st leg of my international flight lands in an airport where English is relatively common. (Which means I'll be able to find the bathrooms!)
4. Speaking of flights, none of them involve a ridiculously long layover anywhere. In fact, my longest layovers are at JFK.
5. My passport is being expedited and they say it should be ready by the 23rd.
6. I had a fundraiser on facebook to help pay for my expenses. I raised a great deal of money in a very short amount of time. Friends from MOPS, family, people I've met through New Horizons, people I've only met online through New Horizons, people from high school who I haven't seen in nearly 20 years, complete strangers, and even a couple of anonymous donors.... all gave generously so I could go to Ukraine. My Sunday School class is contributing as well. I'm grateful for every single dollar- no matter the size of the donation.
In preparing for this trip, so many things (big and small) have gone absolutely right... and I KNOW it's God's hand in the details.
Since our first hosting this summer, I've had a growing awareness that some people just don't "get" orphan ministry- especially foreign orphan ministry. And in truth, there was a time- not so very long ago- that I didn't "get it" either. Some simply aren't aware of how great the need is. Many are peripherally aware, but see it as a lesser "need." Others view foreign orphan ministry as somehow unpatriotic. That I'm less of a "proper" American because I'm hosting kids from Eastern Europe as opposed to our "home grown" orphans.
I "stumbled" upon this video shortly after learning about New Horizons last year.
A friend recently posted it on her blog, and it's as powerful for me today as it was the 1st time I saw it.
If you don't remember anything else about this post, (LOL and why should you?!)
I hope you remember this video.
I'm long overdue for an update... and I've got some not so great news and some AMAZING news.
First, the bad news.
After many phone calls, emails, and too much time searching the internet looking for another way, it does not look like Mareks will be able to come to school here in the fall. I knew when I started out that the chances were pretty slim- so I can't say that I'm all that surprised; but it's nonetheless disappointing.
There are a couple more phone calls I can make... a desperate attempt to forestall the inevitable, I'm afraid; but for my own piece of mind, I need to be able to say I looked into EVERY option available.
I'm not going to nauseate you with the details.
The short version is, no one wants to get involved.
No one wants to be bothered.
No one wants to invest the necessary time or money.
I don't mean to sound bitter, I really don't.
I understand- to a point, that getting this certification does cost a fair amount money, and it does/would require some extra work- probably for more than one person. I also understand that because of Mareks' school record, he's not really the best candidate for participation in an exchange student program. I realize that the fact that he's in an orphanage (even though he's not a "true" orphan), might raise a few red flags or be cause for concern. Or that because we don't know if Mareks would even be interested in attending school in the states would make someone think we're not really serious about bringing him over.
I understand ALL of this... in my head.
My heart hasn't quite caught up.
Again, I have a couple more phone calls to make.... my "hail marys" so to speak. But I'm not optimistic.
So. Now that I'm all depressed and ready to cry again... on to the AMAZING news.
I took Mareks to the airport on Sunday and he arrived home on Monday.
On Tuesday, I was still weepy- though a little less so; but the Lord must have thought I needed a distraction... something else to focus on.
Because on Tuesday, the folks at New Horizons called me.
They said there was 1 more spot on the interview team going to Ukraine, and they wanted to know if *I* wanted to go.
(The interview team is a group that visits the orphanages and foster homes in Latvia and Ukraine- some return visits, some new visits- to interview the kids who want to come to the US for summer hosting. To my knowledge, the director or other workers usually recommend the children that they think would do the best so far away from home. We also deliver care packages to the kids who were here for winter hosting, from their host families.)
"Uhhhhh, yeah.... but I should probably check with Rick."
Rick, bless his heart, had to make a pretty quick decision. New Horizons needed to know ASAP if I was a "yes" or a "no." You see, I needed to be in Ukraine on the 31st.... of January.
Yeah... like in 3 weeks.
Rick said "yes"! Actually, I think what he said was "I guess.... I don't care." (So I took that as a yes.)
Regardless, Rick said he'd hold down the fort while I was gone; so, 2 weeks from tomorrow- it's off to Ukraine I go.
But the SUPER AWESOME AMAZING thing.... is that I get to go to Latvia too!
After we're done in Ukraine, the plan is for me and another interview team member to fly to Latvia for a couple of days.
If everything works out the way I hope, there'll be a surprise visit for Mareks in there somewhere.
HAHA I can see his face now. Stunned-- and confused!
I bought my plane ticket a couple of days ago and my passport is currently expediting. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up over the next couple of weeks: book work to finish up, bills to pay, meals to put in the freezer, supper swap meals to deliver, phone calls to make, birthday presents to buy (Joe will turn 8 while I'm in Ukraine)... plus the regular everyday stuff that ALL moms have to do.
For my "praying" readers, I have the following prayer requests:
1. For all of us heading to Latvia and Ukraine- that we have uneventful flights, that we make all of our connections, that none of our luggage gets lost, and that we all meet up safely in Kiev on the 31st.
2. That the families we're leaving behind "carry on." That things don't fall apart while the moms are all gone. (Though, I'm probably not as indispensable as I think!)
3. That the Lord puts in our path the right people who can help us when we need help, guide us when we need directions, and ones who speak English when I need to find the bathrooms at the airport in Helsinki and Kiev!
4. For the children and orphanage directors and caretakers and others we meet; that we can be shining lights to them. That we may "preach" the gospel in the way we treat each other and in the way we interact with those around us.
5. That the kids we choose to make available for summer hosting are the ones THE LORD wants. That we be open and receptive to his leading in all things.
I don't know how often I'll have access to wi-fi, but I'm going to try and blog while I'm there.
Otherwise, I'll take copious notes and then blog when I get back.
I'm having a very hard time organizing my thoughts.
I'm having a very hard time controlling my emotions.
You see.... Mareks flew home yesterday.
I'm having a very hard time not wondering and worrying.
I'm having a very hard time NOT weeping at random and frequent intervals.
I'm having a very hard time NOT checking facebook every 5 minutes looking for a new picture or status update regarding the Latvian kids.
You see.... Mareks isn't here today.
I had NO IDEA how hard this was going to be.
No, I'm not a 1st time hoster. I've had some experience with this.
After all, I said good-bye to Vladik just 6 short months ago. That too was an emotional experience- but not like this. These emotions are ENTIRELY different. I cried when Vladik left... plagued with guilt becasue we weren't adopting, sadness at his situation, horrified at what he was returning to, and yes- as horrible as it is to admit- even a little relief that hosting was over. I cried... but I was fine an hour into my drive home.
But this... this is different.
I was the "airport coordinator" for the Latvian Akron/Canton airport arrivals/departures. Which basically just means I took a lot of pictures, answered a few questions, helped (as best as I could) with getting the kids checked in for their return flight... and stood around looking like I knew what I was doing.
(Fake it till you make it, right?!)
It also means I got a gate pass so I could so through security with the kids to see them off.
All the other host families had to say "good-bye" or "see you soon" (in the case of those pursuing adoption) before their host kids went through security.
It was heart wrenching! The bond between these former strangers... kids, moms, dads, brothers, sisters- it was a beautiful thing to witness.
There was LOVE there.
Not the flowers and rainbows kind of love.
REAL LOVE.
I felt like the Grinch stealing Christmas, telling everyone it was time to say their goodbyes... especially since *I* had a gate pass.
We made it through security and got to our gate fairly quickly. The kids all started digging through their backpacks, finding surprises from their host families, and pulling out photo albums to share. They were excited to be reunited with friends, and excited (I'm sure) to be able to speak their native language and have someone understand them. Too, to some extent, they were excited to be going home-- back to familiar surroundings, familiar routines, familiar schedules, familiar foods, etc.
We didn't have long to wait before it was time to board, but in the hubbub of getting everyone cleared for boarding (there was a problem with one of the boarding passes that was eventually worked out)... I didn't even get to give Mareks a hug goodbye.
He was halfway down the ramp... turned... and waved... and then he was gone.
And that's when I lost it.
I'd warned him ahead of time that I'd most likely be crying like a baby, but I managed to hold it together- until then.
I'm crying again now as I type. It makes it hard to see the keyboard and I need a tissue, but the tears just keep coming.
I left the airport shortly after their plane took off... and I cried all the way home.
Rick and the boys went to church without me. (I got up at 2:45 that morning so we could be at the airport at the scheduled time.)
I tried to take a nap while the house was quiet.
No dice.
I was tired, but I couldn't sleep.
I stayed busy the rest of the day doing things that would keep my brain occupied; book work for the farm, balancing checkbooks... anything that would keep me from dwelling on the fact that I may never see Mareks again.
Yeah, it didn't work.
I went to bed last night-- SO TIRED. And did I go right to sleep?
Nope. I laid there...
and I cried.
My heart has shattered into a million Mareks-shaped pieces.
Corny, I know. But it's the truth.
I miss him terribly.
But you know what the kicker it? It's entirely possible that our affection for Mareks is completely one sided. I have NO IDEA how he feels about us. He's 16... and a boy. I supposed that's normal.
As an aside- the 1st leg of their trip was from CAK to La Guardia. They had to take a shuttle from LGA to JFK and meet up with ALL the other Latvian host kids. Then together, they'd all fly to Riga. Their flight was schedule to leave JFK at 1:30pm. Due to an unknown issue/difficulty/mess up... their flight was delayed-- FOR 9 HOURS!! They finally left JFK at 10:30pm (yesterday) and arrived in Riga about 1:30 pm--TODAY.
Today I'm starting, in earnest, to investigate the possibility of Mareks staying with us for a year while he attends school here in Ashland.
To be honest, it doesn't look promising.
Normally, when a (high school) exchange student comes to the US, they do so through a sponsoring organization. This sponsoring organization is responsible for taking care of a lot of the paperwork and communicating with the government as to the whereabouts and status of the exchange students they're sponsoring. But Mareks wouldn't be coming over through a regular "exchange student program." WE would be sponsoring him, paying all the fees, living expenses, tuition, flight etc. Long story short-- because we're attempting to do this in the not so traditional way, the high school needs a government certification they don't have. They need to be "SEVIS approved," and they're not.
If my math is right, it costs over $2000 to get SEVIS approval, and I don't see the school willing to pay for it. But honestly, it's more than the money. Someone at the school has to be willing to take on the role of DSO (Designated School Officer).
Each school approved by USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Service) to educate foreign students must have at least one Designated School Official (DSO) who is responsible for the school’s compliance with the USCIS rules regarding foreign students and foreign applicants. The DSO creates and updates an electronic record for each foreign student in SEVIS (The Student & Exchange Visitor Information System). The DSO is involved in enrollment, change of major, change of school, practical training, visa extension, visa reinstatement, school completion, and school withdrawal processes concerning the foreign student. The DSO issues and signs all necessary SEVIS forms including form I-20. Every foreign student interacts with the DSO either directly or through the Admissions of Foreign Students office staff.
I don't think it used to be this complicated, but things changed after 9/11.
Anyway, I'll be making phone calls over the next couple of days to see if it's even feasible. If, by some miracle, my information is wrong and Ashland High School IS SEVIS approved (or if they indicate they're willing to pursue certification,) the next step is to see if a year of school here will count as year of in Latvia. Not so surprisingly, they're isn't always reciprocity between The US and other countries. Assuming it WILL count in Latvia, then we'd have to see if Mareks is even interested in coming back for a year of school. And he may not be. And I'll have to be ok with that.
If the school isn't interested in pursuing the necessary certification, then whether or not Mareks WANTS to come is irrelevant. I'll have to be ok with that too.
Please pray for God's hand in this. Just because *I* want him to come back, doesn't mean that's the path he's meant to walk.
So in a previous post I said I'd post pics of my facial injuries.
Not that I'm excited about it... but here they are:
Day 1. This is after the ambulance and fire truck had been and gone
and I'd cleaned up a little. It was starting to get dark out, so the
pic is a little grainy.
Day 3. Christmas Day. Now that everything is starting to scab over,
you can get a better idea of how things looked. This was also the day
I started running a fever which ended up hitting over 104.
Day 5. Neosporin is a VERY GOOD thing.
It still looks pretty gross, but it's healing quite
nicely. I'd also been to the ER a 2nd time by now
and the antibiotic had started working.
I was almost feeling human again.
Day 7. Although the scrapes are fading, I'm starting to get
2 black eyes. It's hard to tell from the photo, though.
And whats with the one eye so much larger than the other?
Am I really that asymmetrical? LOL
We'll blame it on the swelling... yeah.. .thats it!
If you read my blog when we hosted Vladik, you may remember we had an assignment.
New Horizons wanted all the host kids/families to make a "cardboard testimony" for a promotional video.
Together, we were to choose a promise from God, paraphrase and personalize it, write it on a piece of cardboard, and take Vladik's picture with it.
Vladik's was taken from Isaiah 40:11:
He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Our cardboard testimony was "He carries me close to his heart."
This is the video featuring this summer's host kids:
New Horizons has asked all the host families to do the same thing for winter hosting.
After showing Mareks this summer's video and explaining what we were going to do, I set to work finding some "Promises of God" from which he could choose.
God's Word is full of promises... it overflows with them. The ones I found only scratched the surface.
It was such a blessing to search through the Bible this afternoon- specifically looking for God's promises- I wanted to share some of the ones I found... paraphrased and personalized. And I hope it reminds you-- as it did me, what an amazing, powerful, loving God we serve... and how incredible it is that we can call him Father.
Psalm 61:3 He is my shelter and a place of safety.
1 Corinthians 13:8 God's love will never fail me.
1 John 4:16 I can know and depend on the love God has for me.
Isaiah 54:10 His unending love will never leave me.
Hebrews 13:5 He will never abandon me.
2 Samuel 22:33-34 He gives me strength to help me stand in high places.
Psalm 91:1 I will find rest under his shadow.
Isaiah 49:16 He has carved my name in the palms of his hands. (This is the one Mareks chose.)
Isaiah 46:4 He will protect and carry me all the days of my life.
Psalm 40:5 The good things he has planned for me are too many to count.
Jeremiah 24:6 He will always build me up, not pull me down.
Psalm 12:7 He will keep watch over me and guard me forever.
Psalm 46:1 He is a very present help for me in times of trouble.
Deuteronomy 31:6 God is with me and will never fail me.
Psalm 23:6 His goodness and mercy will chase after me all my life.
1 Samuel 12:22 God will not abandon me. He is glad to make me his very own.
Ephesians 3:20 God can do more for me than I can possibly imagine.
Psalm 36:7 I can find protection in the shadow of his wings.
Hebrews 2:11 Jesus is not ashamed to be called my big brother.
Jeremiah 31:3 God's love for me will last forever.
Romans 5:5 God has poured His love into my heart.
1 John 4:18 His perfect love will banish fear from my heart.
Psalm 30:11 He will turn my sadness into dancing and surround me with joy.
Deuteronomy 4:7 God is near to me whenever I cry out.
Psalm 7:16 God has cared for me from the moment I was born.
Romans 8:31 If God is for me, no one can stand against me.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives me power when I am exhausted and strength when I am weak.
Deuteronomy 33:27 I will find safety in His everlasting arms.
Psalm 68:19 He carries me burdens every day.
Psalm 4:8 He will give me a peaceful sleep surrounded by safety.
Zephaniah 3:17 God sings over me with shouts of joy.
1 Peter 3:12 He watches over me and listens for my prayers.
Deuteronomy 7:6 God has chosen me to be his own precious possession.
Nahum 1:7 He will be my safe place in difficult times.
Hosea 6:3 He will come to me as certainly as the sun rises and the spring rains fall.
Ephesians 3:17 He will root my heart in the depths of his love.
Psalm 119:73 He created me with his own hands.
Psalm 139:14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 121:3 God will not let me fall. He watches over me day and night.
Jeremiah 32:40 God has promised to do only good things for me.
Matthew 6:11 He will provide what I need every day.
Galatians 4:7 I am His child and His heir.
Romans 8:35-39 Nothing will ever separate me from God's love.
~~This verse always remind me of a line from a song I learned for a cantata when I was in 6th grade. "Nothing can separate us from His love. We're His children, we're the ones he's thinking of. Nothing in the past, and nothing yet to be can keep Him, from loving me."
Ephesians 1:4-5 God chose me to be adopted into His family before creation.
