Day 1
After a full 24 hours+ of traveling/waiting/praying, we are here. Our final itinerary looked nothing like our original one with the exception that we started out in B’ham and ended in Ukraine. The most miraculous thing is that every piece of our luggage made it with us!!! We were so happy to see our facilitator at the airport since we had no way to reach him to inform him of our change in time/change in airlines, etc. (even our changed itinerary had changed). We were also so happy and blessed to arrive at our apartment where our friends met us. We have the benefit of observing the interactions of this couple with their newly-adopted 3 russian speaking siblings and only have a small inkling of an idea of the challenges that we will face in the near future.
We must have been extremely tired because we slept until 12:00noon local time (that is only 4am B’ham time for those of you that do not know the time conversion). We are hoping to adjust to the time change soon. When we awoke,, we looked out the window to a huge surprise-about 4 inches of snow and still falling!!! It was the kind of snow that I remember as a child, before the weathermen and other began to sensationalize the weather. We would just wake up to snow and it would always be a wonderful surprise. Now we hear about a possible snow 5-7 days in advance, schools shut down, you can’t find a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk in all of Alabama, and then we get rain!!!
It has now been snowing all day, there is probably 6 inches and it is beautiful everywhere except the streets which are full of dirty slush. I am so happy that we packed snow boots the day before we left. We are actually staying in an orphanage and one of the orphan boys told Bobby that he looked like a cowboy with his felt hat and camouflage muck boots on. He is definitely in his element and loves this cold, wet weather. If only he had a gun and could see a flock of geese flying overhead!!!
Our plan at this point is our appointment on Tuesday, receive our referral on Wednesday and ride the train Wednesday night to Zap in southern Ukraine. Our facilitator had planned on driving us to Zap, but the snow will limit his auto speed to 60mph or less, so he tells us that the train will be much safer (after riding with him driving, aka hovering the ground with the wheels touching only occasionally, I agree that the train will be safer). However we get there, we are ready to see our kids.
Those friends that are arriving in the next couple of days/weeks, pack warm/water-proof clothes for outside and shorts/t-shirts for inside.
Last night we walked several blocks, rode the bus several miles then boarded the metro for several miles to eat at the Phat House with other friends. It was so much fun, but I am not sure if we will ever find our way back there without a tour guide. Well it is almost supper time now so we will sign off for the day. God bless all of you there and please remember to pray for those here and those yet to come.
Kim & Bobby.
After a full 24 hours+ of traveling/waiting/praying, we are here. Our final itinerary looked nothing like our original one with the exception that we started out in B’ham and ended in Ukraine. The most miraculous thing is that every piece of our luggage made it with us!!! We were so happy to see our facilitator at the airport since we had no way to reach him to inform him of our change in time/change in airlines, etc. (even our changed itinerary had changed). We were also so happy and blessed to arrive at our apartment where our friends met us. We have the benefit of observing the interactions of this couple with their newly-adopted 3 russian speaking siblings and only have a small inkling of an idea of the challenges that we will face in the near future.
We must have been extremely tired because we slept until 12:00noon local time (that is only 4am B’ham time for those of you that do not know the time conversion). We are hoping to adjust to the time change soon. When we awoke,, we looked out the window to a huge surprise-about 4 inches of snow and still falling!!! It was the kind of snow that I remember as a child, before the weathermen and other began to sensationalize the weather. We would just wake up to snow and it would always be a wonderful surprise. Now we hear about a possible snow 5-7 days in advance, schools shut down, you can’t find a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk in all of Alabama, and then we get rain!!!
It has now been snowing all day, there is probably 6 inches and it is beautiful everywhere except the streets which are full of dirty slush. I am so happy that we packed snow boots the day before we left. We are actually staying in an orphanage and one of the orphan boys told Bobby that he looked like a cowboy with his felt hat and camouflage muck boots on. He is definitely in his element and loves this cold, wet weather. If only he had a gun and could see a flock of geese flying overhead!!!
Our plan at this point is our appointment on Tuesday, receive our referral on Wednesday and ride the train Wednesday night to Zap in southern Ukraine. Our facilitator had planned on driving us to Zap, but the snow will limit his auto speed to 60mph or less, so he tells us that the train will be much safer (after riding with him driving, aka hovering the ground with the wheels touching only occasionally, I agree that the train will be safer). However we get there, we are ready to see our kids.
Those friends that are arriving in the next couple of days/weeks, pack warm/water-proof clothes for outside and shorts/t-shirts for inside.
Last night we walked several blocks, rode the bus several miles then boarded the metro for several miles to eat at the Phat House with other friends. It was so much fun, but I am not sure if we will ever find our way back there without a tour guide. Well it is almost supper time now so we will sign off for the day. God bless all of you there and please remember to pray for those here and those yet to come.
Kim & Bobby.
Our cell phone (toll free for us) is 011380674572202. Please remember, this call may cost you international calling fees.
5 comments:
Hey guys,
I am so glad that you made it and Kim's coffee pot is safely there. Kim I miss our coffee days already.
The girls were wondering Kim where we should meet this week?
Love you both,
Terri
Bobby and Kim,
We are glad to hear you are there. We wish we were with you and could play in the snow! You are very much in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Richard, Melinda, and the boys
Glad to hear you are there and doing well. Hope you have a good week and things work well this week. In our prayers and thoughts.
Stan, Sheila & Mark
I can't believe you are really there! I also can't believe all the snow! It makes me cold just looking at your picture. I am so glad that you made it there safe and sound. The Hartsocks leave today. Maybe you will see them before you get on the train. What fun! It will be like the "Polar Express". Can't wait to see you!
Gina
Kim and Bobby,
I cannot believe all the snow. It looks like so much fun (for the first day or so).
Everyone is leaving for Ukraine in such a whirlwind after waiting for so long. I'm jealous! You'll have to love on my boys for me. Tell them how much we miss them.
Can't wait to hear all about the journey.
I love you guys and am praying for you daily.
Kim
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