Last Entry From Penza

Well, this is Cyndy posting. I have been incognito since arriving in Russia - leaving the computer guy the task of communicating with the outside world. We just returned from Gorodishe leaving our children behind. We are very impressed with the loving care they are receiving at the orphanage, but it was difficult for them and us to say the least. There were tears as we left our hotel in Penza and saying goodbye to the Clark family and then a few more as we left the orphanage. Hopefully time will literally fly until we make this trek again to bring them home.

Please pray for Yulia and Gena as they wait. They are two really good kids who have alot of pain inside. Their coping mechanisms are very visible. They very obviously crave connection and yet are leary of it at the same time. Yet as we were saying goodbye to the Clark family, Gena literally threw himself into Aunt Terisa's arms and started to cry. Yulia cried and then immediately set to work steeling herself to not cry. She was in that mode as we left Gorodishe. We waited to cry until we had driven away. Crying is very uncomfortable for Russians.

If we could bring them home today, we would well be ready to leave living in a hotel room in Penza, but as it is it is bittersweet. But the evidence is all around us - suitcases everywhere! So back to the train station and on to Moscow. I am hoping to enjoy my time in Moscow as an aunt only, knowing we will be very preoccupied with Yulia and Gena the next time we are in Moscow.

So many stories and so little time, but we will have a little more time and internet access in Moscow. Talk to you later.

Blessings from Penza,
Cyndy