Meeting Our Kids

Yesterday, Saturday (April 9) we met Yulia and Gena for the first time. The meeting was kind of awkward, but wonderful at the same time! Gena was waiting at the top of the orphanage drive way as we drove in. Getting out of the van, Yulia came out of the building and came up to me (Glen) and we hugged. She didn't say anything; I just said "Yulia, Yulia!" When Gena came up, I hugged him. He turned to the side and gave me a "side hug"! Again, saying nothing. We went inside and got a tour of the orphanage, they fed us lunch and we saw Yulia's and Gena's rooms.

We found out that Gena is not only an artist with the pen and brush, but also with the wood carving tools! He has made several items for the orphanage that are just beautiful. We will post some pictures when we get a chance. The whole time we were at the orphanage we were all nervous and anxious. Trying to communicate is difficult. We have to use our translator (Vadim) many times to understand each other. We kept looking at each other, trying to memorize the faces of those we have come to love already! It was surreal! We met many of their friends and wanted to take them all home!

Since the orphanage, Gena and Yulia have been with us in Penza at the hotel (along with Scott and Terisa Clark and their newly expanded family: Amanda, Haley and Lyndsay and, of course, Olivia). We've been playing games, listening to music, walking around, snacking and just trying to be with each other sharing words in English and Russian to try to communicate. Already we are seeing personalities emerge. Getting to know each other requires spending time together and when language comes more difficultly, it is a tricky business!

We appreciate your continued prayers. Please help us hear the Lord clearly in all things. We want to spend out time with the kids in the most beneficial way; we won't be back to get them for at least six months, so we want these few days to be beneficial.

I'll post some more pictures on this blog as I am able. Here in Penza we are on a dial-up connection so uploading pictures takes a long time. Once we are in Moscow we can do it over broadband (but our kids will not be with us). Pray for our parting on Thursday, as I am anticipating it will be VERY difficult to drive away from the orphanage without Yulia and Gena. Pray for them and for us!

Blessings,

Glen and Cyndy