Exciting day in Odessa. With no official duties on the agenda, we took time to clean the apartment, wash dishes and do a few "loads" of laundry. We define a load of laundry has whatever item(s) we can fit in the kitchen sink. The spin cycle is our shower (drip dry) and the dryer itself consists of two, small steam registers. (We do not look forward to this routine for the next three weeks.) Renee spent a few hours working on the computer while Paul sought to escape "the four walls" and went for a workout on the Potiomkin Steps. Not sure that was a good idea. We'll see if he makes it out of bed tomorrow morning. After lunch we ran an errand to the market and strolled through the vendors in a nearby park looking for worthy souvenirs.
After school, Yuri had an English class until 5 p.m. with Julia, the English tutor we hired to help jump-start Yuri's conversion to English. After the tutoring session, we climbed into Sasha's trusty Mitsubishi and headed to the city center for dinner at a nice Italian restaurant (Sasha's recommendation). We all shared a pizza and left room for dessert so, we indulged ourselves on a variety of treats. About that drive to the city center. It was rush hour traffic so, Sasha decided to take a short cut down a dusty side street which resembled moguls on ski slope. We were bouncing from side to side and up and down. Paul referred to the street as, "The Oregon Trail".
Today we were told our court date is now April 2. We continue to challenge the reasoning behind this long delay. Other families have made it to court much quicker. Stay tuned.
Prayer request: You guessed it. The court date. Please pray for an earlier court date. There is a mandatory 10 day waiting period after the court date, placing us in Kiev April 12. If we don't make it back to the US Embassy in Kiev by April 10, our finger prints will expire and this will cause further delay. Also, pray for patience for Renee and me. Thank you!
Italian restaurant near Port of Odessa where we ate dinner this evening.
Yuri LOVES chocolate ice cream. He'll fit right in with our family!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
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Paul, Renee (& Yuri),
The laundry reminds me of returning to the internot afternoons to find the kids bringing their clothes to the bathroom to rinse out. For an instant it seems silly, then the sadness of it sinks in and your mind embosses the image on your heart. Its an image I see often when I’m thinking of these kids and their future. Don’t be alarmed when you get home and find Yuri in his new house rinsing out underwear in the most beautiful bathroom he’s ever seen.
Isn’t it amazing how small an apartment (or missionary’s house) can feel when you really can’t leave? Here’s a little advise: while you’re on the internet, don’t visit sites that help you realize how far from home (& civilization) you are. I found that just checking the weather in Omaha made me feel so much farther from home. Or checking up on local or national news.
I had a good time sitting and conversing with Renee’s parents Sunday morning between services. What fun Andrew, Christina, & Liz must be having. .
We’re praying for you guys. I know you can feel it while you’re there. I’m specifically praying for your court date. For now, that’s most important.
We love you guys. Remember – It’s not what we give but what we share that’s important. You guys could have just thrown some money at the orphan situation in Ukraine but instead you chose to share… …share your house, your family, your faith, and your love. Yuri’s life will be so vastly better because of you.
God Bless,
Larry
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