Melba's turn.








Fishing, anyone?

A babooshka feeding the pidgeons.

Notice the conjoined twins.

In Dniprodzerzhynsk the same thing happened everyday (except when it didn't, I guess.) Here in Crimea the days vary and the scenery is beautiful. Sights for sore eyes.

The kids love it here. We are in a small town and they can roam at will. The allotment of money that worked so well in Dnipro has worked out great here. They get 10 Gryvnas a day ($1.25). I haven't been begged from even once. Sometimes they want an advance and that's ok, they just get less the next day. Usually they buy silly toys and trinckets. The shop owners here are very friendly with us. When they see anyone from our party walk by they come to the front and offer a kind greeting. I think we have provided a small boost to their suffering economy.

The exchange rate is down from what it was when we first arrived. We wonder what is going on at home to cause this. It's strange to think there is life outside of Ukraine and orphans. When I here about garden planting (thanks so much everyone at home for planting mine), work and play at home... well, I'm just not sure how to feel about it. I feel like I've been away for so long and so much has happened. I feel like I'm in a different world. I feel homesick and then I wonder if home even exists. We're on the countdown and then a whole new adjustment begins.

Lena, another translator and Natashia's roommate, joined us here in Crimea. She wanted to spend more time with us before we went home. It doesn't take very long to become attached to and love other people. I hope to get those two to the States in the not too distant future and find them some good and honest men to settle down with.

We spent the day yesterday in an around Yalta. First we went to a palace/museum. The last Tzar from the Soviet Union lived there when he came to Yalta. It was also the meeting place of Roosevelt, Stallin and during World War II. From what I understood this is when the U.S. decided to join the war.

It's such a neat feeling to stand where so much history has taken place and to consider the implications and results. The girls didn't get the same feeling. They wanted to leave. There are moments when I feel peace and that everything will be okay. Usually this is when one of the girls gives me a hug and tells me they love me. This was not one of those times. "Oh dear!" I thought. "What have I gotten myself into?" The other day Amy told Lena she had to turn off the TV in ten minutes. She frowned and said in the orphanage they didn't have to go to bed until midnight. The adults all laughed. I wonder if there will be times when they wish they could go back and we would send them if we could. I'm sure there will be many.

But these girls are so sweet. They are kids of course and act accordingly. But there is something different about them, too. Maybe it is their sense of community. They have little to no experience in family life but they care deeply for one another. They rarely fight and usually make sure the others are ok. Yesterday I had a crying fit. When Sarah noticed she immediately came over, kissed me and wrapped her arms around me. Then she got Karina's attention. From her gestures and tone I got that she was telling Karina her mama was crying. Karina quickly came over and hugged me for at least five minutes, speaking softly and sweetly. They are also affectionate with one another. They hold hands and lay on each other and they always share whatever they have.

After the palace we went to a public square near the pier. It was so beautiful. I know I have read about the historical significance of Yalta in some book but no matter how I try I cannot put my finger on it. At any rate being at the Black Sea makes me want to go home and study up on the history here.

As we were walking along the peir we passed what looked like a setting out of a movie with a bunch of fancy clothing.  When we asked Lena she said people pay to dress up and pose for pictures.  She wondered if we wanted to.  No!!  Then she laughed and insisted we do it.  We persisted but in the end she won saying it would be her gift to us.  Oh my goodness!  When we were finished the girls wanted their turn.  

Natashia told us the cheapest way to eat here was to hire a cook.  We wondered but after trying it we discovered that it is nearly equal to cooking ourselves.  I don't know if my taste buds have changed since I am no longer pregnant or if the food is growing on me but our meals have been delicious.  I have quite a few new ideas to add to our menu when I get home.  I'm not sure how my family will feel about it, especially Luke and Preston.

Lena informed us last night that she had signed us up for dancing lessons.  The girl would not take no for an answer.  So we were off for Samba lessons.  There were seven of us in the class with a man woman as teachers.  Lena and Natashia have got the moves down.  They dance two or three times a week.    I haven't laughed so hard for a very long time.  I was reminded why I didn't dance much as a child.  That was twice in one day Lena enforced her will for her own peasure.  We are plotting revenge.

I am having a hard time attaching photos.  You'll have to take what you can get.

Brave Melba



Tinfoil wrappings



Our accordian player



They put matchbox covers on their noses and they had to get them off without their hands.
The girls love to drink tea.  Apparently they drink it a lot in the orphanage.  Their are plenty of herbal options but they prefer black tea.  I've heard it is common for these kids to go through withdrawals.  Yesterday Karina ordered and got herbal tea and asked why it wasn't black.  Also yesterday we didn't have tea and Natashia made them stawberry jam tea.  It was just what it sounds like.  After Karina finished the bottle of jam with a spoon.
Karina... The girl is sweet as can be.  She always is giving hugs and cuddles.  But when she wants something she will not accept no for an answer.  I'm not sure she understands the meaning of the word.  She doesn't usually carry on or pout she just keeps doing what she wants.  Today she took Liuba's toy from her.  No amount of coaxing from me or Liuba would pursuade her to give it back.
Communication is getting a little better.  The girls both still talk at me constantly but they are trying a little harder to make themselves understood with a few English words and gestures.  While I love having Natashia with us it introduces a handicap.  There isn't the incentive there that otherwise would be.
I am constantly amazed by what these kis eat.  They love vergetables and are always eating them plain and in salads.  Last night Karina ate a heaping plate of salad (cucumbers, tomatoes and radishes with fennil and oil).  Today Liuba did the same.
We took an excursion in the sea.  Natashia said it is called the black sea because it turns black in a storm.  Today was very green and beautiful.  I feel like I am living in a picture.  We are immediately surrounding by close and confined streets but in the distance are picturesque hills and mountains.
Times out in the internet cafe.  More tomorrow...

My internet card doesn't work here in Crimea. Fortunately there is an internet cafe down the road from our house. I hope to be able to post often but am not sure it will be everyday.

We are staying a couple of blocks from the coast. It is beautiful here, a nice change from Dniprodzerzhynsk. There are vineyards and narrow winding streets. I feels Mediterranean.

Anyone who know me knows I do not deal well with spiders, although I have gotten better with the years. Last night before going to bed we turned on the light and found two scorpions. Thankfully Melba is made of tough stuff. She got them without even a flinch. Then we went into the bedroom and found three spiders. What would I do without her? Natashia asked the owner today about the scorpion. He assured us they aren't poisonous. Hmmm. I don't think I'll take any chances.  But hey, that might be the perfect ending to this adventure of mine.  You know in the movies, just when you think things couldn't get worse, they do...

Today is Liuba's birthday. When I picked her up from the orphanage one of the first things she told me was that her birthday was on Tuesday. She wanted a birthday party with presents, cake and ice cream. She has been talking about it nonstop. Natashia managed to find a place that does birthday parties. It is right next door to where we live.

We spent the morning buying birthday presents. We told the girls they needed to buy small things because we don't have much room. They came back with a plethora of gifts. Wrapping was more a problem. But Melba being the wonderful and creative person that she is thought of the tinfoil I brought from America. Perfect!

It ended up being a first-rate party. From moment we walked into the door until the moment we left we were fed and entertained. We were greeted by an accordian player and before we could enter the girls had to guess what they were eating for lunch. Then in order to go upstairs to eat we had to say nice things about Liuba, one compliment per stair. My favorite was from Karina who said Liuba needs to obey her mom. Funny coming from Karina since the girl does not obey herself.

Natashia thought is was fitting for Liuba to eat shishkabob (sp?) for her birthday so that was what she ordered. We ate, sang, danced, played games, opened presents and had cake and ice cream. When they asked me if I wanted ice cream and cake I said yes. What is a birthday without cake and ice cream? It must not be customary here. They served ice cream alone, played some games and then had birthday cake.

I have never experienced a birthday quite like this. When I can post pictures you will understand why. It was great!

Thanks to all of you for your out pouring of love and support. It is helpul to have so many of you caring and praying for me. Until now I have not understood completely the emotions that come with something like this.  Now in one more aspect I can more fully understand the lot of womanhood. This has been very hard for me. I know in the end everything will turn out but that doesn't make it hurt any less right now.  One thing right now I find comfort in is having Melba, Amy and her girls here to help me with me and mine.  

I picked up the girls today. They were ready and waiting when we got there, back packs in tow. They had to wait several days longer than they expected due to the abrupt change in circumstances. I really haven’t been up to bringing them home any sooner. We took a quick tour of the building where they sleep and eat. They wanted pictures with all their friends.

It was so hard to watch them say goodbye to everyone. Their dorm mothers cried and hugged them tight. They were very affectionate with their friends. I’ve made several friends at the orphanage myself and I felt so sad to leave them. I wonder what will become of them. They hugged me and told me goodbye.

As we left the kids stuck their arms and heads out the window waving and yelling goodbye. I couldn’t help but cry. I wonder how they feel knowing their friends are being taken to America to become a part of a family. I wonder if they think something is wrong with them and wonder why they weren’t chosen. It breaks my heart.

Liuba and Karina were so excited to go “da doma.” We didn’t have much time as Constantine and George were coming to take us to the train station. I gave them a quick bath, dressed them in fresh cloths and we were off.

I have never had such a mild ride with George. He requested that I go in his car. Everyone here clearly out to help and look out for me. Even the kids at the orphanage were extra tender and sweet. I found out after the fact that Nadia called the hospital when I was there and told them I was a VIP American. Apparently the head doctor that checked on me is her friend. If I am a VIP I can’t imagine what the average patient must endure.

The whole time I have been in Dniprodzerzhynsk I have been so anxious to leave, counting down the days and finding reasons to get away. But since my loss the other night the thought of going leaves me with a heavy heart. I could not leave without feeling like I was leaving something behind. Leaving the apartment, driving through the town and past the hospital was very difficult and emotional. I take with me my two girls but I leave a precious part of me. This is something I never expected to happen here in Ukraine. It is such a strange mix of emotions; blessings and happiness partnered with grief and sadness. My heart is very heavy.

We bade farewell to George and Constantine at the train station. I didn’t expect to feel so sad to leave them. It’s interesting how you can become attached to the people who surround and help you when experiencing life changes.
I with my girls, Amy, her girls and mom and Natashia and her nephew are going to Crimia for this week of waiting for passports. We will go to Kiev on Sunday and do Embassy and medical on Monday and Tuesday and hopefully be on our way home on Wed. I will travel home with Amy and company. I am so grateful to not be alone. I don’t know how I would do this without her. Her mom has also been a huge help. They have been a tender mercy.

I will post pictures tomorrow. We are on the train and the internet is very slow.

This is a hard one to write. I really debated writing it at all. But I’m sure you are all wondering what is going on and this is the easiest way to let everyone know.

I guess having six children this year was not meant to be. I lost the baby last night. When I told Emi, Luke and Preston in the beginning that we were going to have baby they were so excited. I too was looking forward to having a new little one. So, for all of us this feels like a great loss. But we trust in the Lord and His compensating blessings.

Setting my personal feelings and emotional state aside… I don’t want to go into gory details but I also want to tell about this experience as it is unlike anything I have ever experienced or hope to experience again. Warning, this is slightly graphic.

With the sudden onset and amount of blood Amy called Leslie, who is a nurse. Leslie told Ocsana who called emergency. Leslie, Jim and Lena rushed over. I am so glad Leslie was there. She called my doctor in the states to find out what I should do. Everyone wanted me to go to the hospital but after all the horror stories I have heard about hospitals and doctors since being here that is the last thing I wanted to do. After talking to my doctor I was convinced I had to go. I guess miscarrying in the second trimester is considerably more dangerous than when in the first.

Before going Jim gave me a tender blessing. I am so grateful. Then the only paramedic insisted that I be carried down the three flights of stares. I tried to walk but he wouldn’t let me. He made me sit in a chair from Constantine’s apartment and he and Jim carried me backward down the stairs. Then they set me on the pavement outside and had me climb onto a stretcher lying on the ground.

I need not say at this point that nothing here is like in the States. I laid on the MASH stretcher and Jim and the paramedic lifted me onto the floor of the ambulance. Although having pictures would be a painful remembrance I wish I had some because words are insufficient in describing this night. The ambulance was more like an empty van with a bench lining each side. The only sign of anything medical was a strip of gauze hanging from a bar on the ceiling. It was freezing outside and if Amy had not brought a blanket I would have had nothing to cover me. I’m pretty sure the ambulance did not have shocks and I have already described the roads here. We couldn’t help but laugh as we bumped and jerked along. Jim, Leslie, Lena and Amy came. Thankfully Amy’s mom is here and could stay with her girls.

At the hospital I climbed onto another stretcher and was wheeled through the corridors. I felt like I was in some strange dream as I watched the ceiling pass by. The hospital is much like everything else here: old, drab, dingy and dirty. They took me into a couple of different rooms to check me out, I guess to make sure I was miscarrying. In a situation like this all dignity is lost. Several nurses and a doctor, Lena to translate, Leslie to oversee and Amy to comfort were all there and I thank Heaven for the last three.

Then they took me to the surgery room. They asked if I wanted general or local antisthetic. Leslie insisted on local. I cannot begin to describe the room but I’ll give it my best shot. It was small and they weren’t going to let anyone in with me. Thankfully Leslie insisted. I wouldn’t have made it without her. There was a steel table and steel stirrups. Leslie compared it afterward to some torturing contraption you see in movies. There was nothing covering the table, not even a sheet. There were a couple of tables and a bright light. I climbed onto the table and they proceeded. I’m not sure if you have to wait for a while after administering local anesthetic for it to set in. I know in a dentist office the doctor waits for a several minutes after a shot so as the patient is sufficiently numb before he starts his work. In this case the doctor did not wait and I’m pretty sure I felt every shot, scrape and pull. When she finally finished she stuck me with an I.V. for antibiotics. I’m not sure why but at this point my hands contorted and I couldn’t move them. Leslie told me later that what is usually diluted to eight ounces they put directly into my vein in a couple of cc’s. Leslie kept a close eye on everything and assured me afterward that the equipment was sterile and the doctor was thorough. I am so glad I passed the baby before we left for the hospital so I could see it’s small body and tiny little arms and legs.

The surgery instruments being sterile is not an indication of the rest of the hospital. Then they moved me into a community room with five other patients and beds. Ocsana had arrived by now. She cried with me and then worked a bit of her magic to get me a private room. Poor thing. She is so worried. I think I’ve pretty much managed to turn everyone’s world here upside down. After Ocsana called emergency she called the Nadia, the director. This was at one in the morning.

I forgot to mention that in these socialist hospitals the patients provides all their own supplies they are also free. There are definitely trade offs in this system. I didn’t have to pay for anything but my supplies but I paid in other ways.

When I left the operating room they asked Leslie for something to use as a pad. I didn’t know at the time but someone had brought a sheet from Constantine’s apartment. They tore this in strips and used that. Later when we expressed concern at ruining his sheet she said it was ok. It was from the orphanage. Oh dear, I hope it was clean.

When they put me in my room they said we would need to provide our own change of sheets. There also was no toilet paper or soap in the bathroom. Ocsana ran downstairs and pounded on the door of the hospital store waking someone up to get some pads and water. Then they told us visitors must bring their own slippers of wear bags over their shoes when visiting. Again we couldn’t help but laugh.

At four a.m. everyone decided to go home. I couldn’t bear to be alone and insisted that Amy stay. We lay down on our brick beds with cat hair on the sheets and tried to sleep but the room was so cold. I slept some but poor Amy didn’t have any blankets on her bed. They were insisting on keeping me for at least a couple of days. After that night I was sure I would die if I had to stay.

Later a nurse came for a urine sample. She gave me a bottle with a small opening. When I finished she took it with her bare hands. The head doctor also came. She had three other doctors with her. One held a hand towel. After the doctor would touch me she would wipe her hand on the towel. She assured me first she spoke a little English. Then she said, “I want to touch your mamas,” indicating she wanted to examine my breasts. She asked Amy to leave while she took my blood pressure, in both arms.

Constantine brought Lena and Ocsana later. Ocsana managed to arrange to do the girl’s passports without me being present. Amy went with her to Dnipropotrovsk to help with Liuba and Karina. Liuba asked Amy when she got in the car if I was alive.

If we were going to be in the hospital for the day we needed some things to do. Constantine became the “gofor” boy. Lena even asked him to buy me pads. When he came back with them he flapped his arms indicating he had gotten some with wings. Then he reenacted his trip to the store to buy them. He was very kind and caring. He expressed his sympathy and was insistent I not carry anything. He brought me my antibiotic and thoroughly instructed me in how to take it.

The doctor wanted me to spend another night but agreed to let me go home today. Good thing as I was prepared to go to desperate measure to get out fast. Ocsana and Lena arranged for official documents to be prepared to take home to my doctor stating everything they had done and given me. That will be ready next week.

I’m not trying to make fun or light of the hospital or staff here. Although the hospital and equipment are inferior at best to those in the states the doctors and nurses were very kind and attentive. It was obvious they did everything in their power to help me. I am grateful for their care in this horrible situation.

While something like this is very painful and hard to understand it is clear I was being provided for by a loving and caring Heavenly Father. The fact that Leslie is a nurse and could be my advocate, that Jim was here to give me a blessing, Ocsana working her miracles, Lena to translate, Amy’s mom to watch the kids, Constantine to run errands and all them to be friends. And most comforting to me was having Amy available in this horrific time of need to take care of needs other than physical. If this had to happen now in this strange place I could not have been surrounded by more loving and caring people.
Interesting I’ve been working so hard to get these kids and myself out of this dismal place and now I’m leaving a piece of me here.

The sign everywhere asking mothers not to leave their babies.

Compare this home and landscaping in Odessa to my apartment, the typical living conditions.

A stray cat joining us for dinner. So funny since hate is an inferior discription of how Mary feels about cats.

I was wearing my winter coat and still cold. This didn't keep Natashia from the water. She says in Ukraine they believe in oxymorons. If you have a cold, swim in cold water. It will make you better. She had an earache that morning but after her swim it was gone.

Two little boys performing for money on the street.

A wedding celebration. Can you see the bow on the back of the car?

A picture of a classic babooshka selling her wares.

They even had bows on their tales.

I’ve actually gotten so I enjoy the night train, unless my ability to sleep is overcome by some abominable smell. Ocsana came back with us the Dniprodzerzhynsk. She is amazing. The families following us will be grateful to know they couldn’t be in better hands.

Constantine decided that rather than being insistent about not allowing children he would rather have the money. He has really taken good care of us so I cannot complain if he is earning a little money. He said we could stay here with the kids. So I am rooming with Amy, her girls and her mom. I’m so glad to not be alone.

So after Constantine picked us up from the train station he dropped us off at the orphanage while his wife cleaned the apartment. That building is freezing and we were so tired. We curled up on the benches and fell asleep.

The faculty restroom at the orphanage. It has a very unique smell.

The other day Natashia said to me, “Did you ever see that movie Pig’s Day?” “Ground Hog’s Day?” I asked. “Yes. I feel like I’m living it.” She said. We laughed and laughed. I feel like I’m experiencing and writing the same day over and over here in Dniprodzerzhynsk.

The girls were happy to see me yesterday. The first question Luiba asked was when she gets to come “Da moi.” Then Karina asked if we could go to the “magazine.” I’m not sure what they like better, me or the store.

Soderberg’s brought activities for the kids on Tues. Thank Goodness. It was rainy and cold and it was so nice not to have to walk to the store in the rain. We had a great time painting nails and making bracelets.

The girls have been begging me to go swimming and I finally took them today. They had a great time, barring Liuba’s nearly drowning herself and the other girls several times. I realize after being around Lena and Sarah, now clean, how badly my girls stink. Ugh. You know how every house and person has a distinctive smell. There is a smell that comes from the orphanage that cannot be described. Oh, to give them a bath, I hope tomorrow night.

Ocsana and Lena invited us to dinner. And what a dinner it was. We had sushi with wasabi and tempura vegetables. It was heaven.

Today Amy’s girls made us lunch. Oodelolly. They went to the store by themselves and came home with top ramen and meat spread, a combination of bologna, ham and hot dog. We all about lost it.

Tomorrow is a busy day. I have to go with Ocsana to the birthplaces of both girls as well as Dnipropotrovsk for new birth certificates. Depending on how late we get back I will pick up the girls or not. Ocsana picked up my decree from the court yesterday. Today is the tenth day. I never thought it would come. But I’ll still be here for at least a week and a half. Monday is a holiday and I won’t be able to apply for passports until Tuesday. I have to wait five business days after that. Then I go to the Embassy and do the medical check. So as of now the earliest I will be able to come home will be Wednesday the twentieth.

BTW… Liuba’s cheek isn’t swollen anymore and she doesn’t act like it bothers her. Paul, thanks for the suggestions. And thanks to everyone else for your prayers and faith. I am so excited to bring the girls home to meet everyone.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. This is the first dead dog I have seen. The others are very large and healthy.


A babooshka going through the garbage. I don't think they take anything. From what I can tell they are sorting it so it can be burned.

I’m alive and the lice are hopefully no longer kicking. I hope its safe to say at this point that I had lice and no longer have lice. I have no idea who I got it from. It’s prevalent at the orphanage and I have been around any number of kids carrying it. I knew there was a problem with it but was completely oblivious that I might become a host. Naïve American. The other day when I asked for Liuba I was told she was being checked for lice. I didn’t think about it again. When Mary found it in my hair I didn’t believe her. My emotional state is in a fine balance and this momentarily pushed me over the edge. But hey, this just adds to the excitement of my adventure. Doesn’t Indiana Jones always have to deal with some sort of disgusting insect or reptile?

Gratefully, I was able to escape the lovely Dniprodzerzhynsk for a few days. Natasha was taking Amy, her girls and Mary to Odessa and I decided to tag along. I am so glad I did. I feel rejuvenated to resume the remainder of my excursion in Ukraine.

We took the Friday night train. I shared a compartment with two men. My stomach turned over from the reek when I walked in but they were nice and helped me with me luggage. Sometimes when in a room infiltrated with an unpleasant aroma one becomes accustomed to it and no longer noticed it. This was not to be one of those nights. I’m not sure who was smoking and where but between the overwhelming smell of body odor and second-hand smoke it was not the case for me. It was destined to be a long night.

We met Natashia the train station in Odessa. While we were waiting for her we went to McDonalds. There are a few reason I have come to believe a one-world government would be nice, or at least convenient: money and language. However, I have learned if we cannot have a common language there are least a few universal words—Big Mac, fries and Coca Cola. If your ever alone and a foreign land and need just one person to understand go to McDonalds. It might help you feel better.

Odessa is beautiful, a sight for sore eyes. It’s funny how quickly you can become acclimated to what at first seems unlivable. When I came to Kiev the first time I was shocked at the state of the city, mostly the outskirts. I thought surely most of these buildings were condemned. Then I spent some time in Dniprodzerzhynsk. When I came back to Kiev I was amazed at how beautiful and well kept it is.

We stayed near the sea in a surprisingly nice area. The gated homes were large and fresh. The yards were well kept. There was even road construction, unheard of. I teased with Natashia this was the mafia’s neighborhood. She agreed. We stayed in a mafia’s guest home. There was a huge guard dog, thankfully on a chain. When we lost power in the night the Babooshka even made us breakfast—gracious hosts.

The first day we walked and walked. Natashia wanted to show all the sights and we only had one day. The second morning we walked to the sea. It was freezing but this did not keep Natashia from taking a swim. She loves adventure and activity. I don’t think there is anything she hasn’t done. Does anyone know any available single guys? I would love to get her to the states.

To prepare for our ten-hour train ride back we picked up some fruit and Mary and I went to McDonalds for lunch. I’m not sure if people know what lines are here. Whoever can make there way to the front first is next in line. By the time I figured this out we had about fifteen minutes to make our train. I took a head start with some of the food, Mary would follow. I found Natashia, slightly frantic, in the train station. She told me to go get the others on the corner where we left them. I went but they weren’t there. Natashia had found them when I came back. Just as we were about to dash for the train the bag holding the fruit broke and apples, bananas and oranges rolled in ever direction.

When waited on the platform for Mary but she was not to be seen. Natashia went to find our car and Amy went to find Mary. A minute later Mary arrived with no Amy. Natashia called, “we have three minutes. Hurry.” Mary ran with her McDonalds bag yelling for Amy. Everyone stared. Finally they returned together. We each took a bag and ran. Again, fruit flew everywhere. Onlookers, and there were many, came to the rescue. With our fruit, McDonalds and luggage again in tow we ran again, finally coming to our car. When we were safely on board we laughed until we cried. Crazy Americans.

I have successfully avoided public restrooms up until the last few days. After making a trip to the water closet during our layover in Germany I determined this surpassed my threshold. I wasn’t able to hold out during the ten-hour train ride, try as I might. Oh dear. It’s interesting to watch the tracks under the train as it rushes on, through a hole in the floor. After inquiring about what happen when you flush, Natashia explained that the contents in the toilet are passed through a hole onto the tracks. Oh… that is why the bathroom is closed within thirty minutes of stopping in Kiev. This isn’t the case in the smaller towns.

I talked to Liuba and Karina yesterday. They called from Lena’s phone. There were sad I wasn’t there but Leslie has a flower crusade planned for today. She is going to take some flower clips she made and have the kids distribute them in the city to try to get some smiles. Tomorrow she is initiating a liter campaign complete with signs encouraging people to keep their town clean. This should go great with the big signs all over with a picture of a mother holding a newborn, asking them not to leave their babies. Go get ‘em Leslie.

I thought I packed the cable for my camera but I must not have. So I will post pictures when I get back to Dniprodzerzhynsk. I am planning to take the girls from the orphanage on Thursday after my ten days are up. They are so excited as am I. I can’t wait to give them a bath and de-lice, if necessary. Thankfully, Mary brought plenty of lice shampoo. I will not be going back to Constantine’s place. I cannot have the girls there so I am going to stay at the hotel, which should have been cheaper. But, I just found out I can’t get the rate the Strader’s did. So my lodging for the next couple of weeks is still up in the air.
Sorry to leave you all hanging. With the electricity out and going from place to place I haven’t been able to get on-line. Thanks again for your support and prayers.