Paul, Viktor, Masha, Yuri and Renee on the shore of the Black Sea.
We are so excited to share Monday’s news. Even after thinking about it over-night, my mind is still pouring over the emotions and details of our first meeting. I find it hard to know where to start or end. So, here is the short version: We met Yuri’s older brother, Viktor, for the first time and all went very well. Praise God. (Whew!)
We arrived at the Internot at 2 p.m. to meet Yuri. Little did we know, Yuri had arranged for Viktor and his girl friend, Masha, to arrive at the same time. Previously, we had told Yuri we wanted to meet his brother. I guess we forgot to tell him we expected a day’s notice to prepare ourselves. Oh, well. Back to the meeting.
Independent of each other, the two couples Viktor/Masha and Paul/Renee were looking for Yuri at the Internot. Yuri appeared and introduced Renee and me to Viktor and Masha in the hallway outside the play rooms. We nervously shook hands and exchanged names. I recall Renee grabbing Viktor and giving him a hug. Naturally, all parties were very nervous as to the intentions and motivations of the other with regard to Yuri. Lela Steel, her assistant Aloyna and Julia Baskova all “just happened” to come down the hall at this time and suddenly we were blessed with many translators and familiar, smiling faces. This was also the first time Lela had met Viktor so, she hugged him until his eyes watered. If you know anything about Lela, hugs are a part of her everyday vocabulary. Hugs seem to translate well in any language and make a decent ice breaker. OK, so far, so good. From there, we invited Viktor and Masha to lunch so we could discuss things and get to know one another.
Sasha, our driver, always manages to take us to the right kind of restaurant at the right time. For this special occasion, he chose a restaurant with good food and a quite, comfortable atmosphere where we could all gather around one table and talk. The restaurant was on the shore of the Black Sea over looking the beach and offered a terrific view of the Sea. It’s like God thought, “here, let me give you a calm, serene setting to help put all of you at ease.” Cool.
In conversation and by looking into their faces, it was clear Viktor and Masha were expecting to never see or hear from Yuri again. Imagine, Yuri told Viktor about his adoption and travel to America only days before. Viktor was still in shock. Naturally, they were quite excited and relieved to know we expected to have regular communication and visits when possible. We exchanged addresses and phone numbers and set up a routine time for the boys to talk by phone.
Viktor was concerned that Yuri be able to complete his education. We confirmed our expectations for completing not only high school but our desire to see Yuri attend college or trade school. From there, we talked and talked. We also showed them photos of home, Yuri’s new siblings and pictures of the Ukrainian kids from First Covenant. Viktor was relieved to learn there would be Ukrainian kids in Elkhorn and Omaha to help with Yuri’s transition to the US. Masha liked us and took to Renee right away. Yuri started to smile more and more as he saw that our meeting was going so well.
It was obvious to us that Viktor had played the role of father figure in Yuri’s life to this point... doing what he could to support his brother. Viktor also supports and cares for their Babushka, who lives in the same apartment building. Big roles for a 19 year old car mechanic. Viktor said, “I have a limited salary and there is no way I can provide everything Yuri desires from life--higher education, going to America. Yuri has prayed for these things and so, you are an answer to our prayers.” After lunch, we all walked the beach together. Of course, there is so much more to share but these are the highlights. We plan to see Viktor and Masha again next weekend.
It is interesting to reflect back and realize how God has kept us blissfully unaware of the meeting times of all these major “first” meetings. The first meetings with Yuri, Nataliya, the Internot director and now, Viktor, have all occurred out of the blue and off the cuff. That is not how we choose to conduct business in our lives back home. We like to know what’s coming and prepare for it. The good thing about these “surprise” meetings on this trip is that we don’t have the chance to worry the night before. The meetings are suddenly thrust upon us and we have no choice but to move forward in simple faith. Listening only to Gods’ voice and prompts of what to say and do next. Forgetting about “our” plan and any pre-arranged agenda. Maybe we are learning something?
We arrived at the Internot at 2 p.m. to meet Yuri. Little did we know, Yuri had arranged for Viktor and his girl friend, Masha, to arrive at the same time. Previously, we had told Yuri we wanted to meet his brother. I guess we forgot to tell him we expected a day’s notice to prepare ourselves. Oh, well. Back to the meeting.
Independent of each other, the two couples Viktor/Masha and Paul/Renee were looking for Yuri at the Internot. Yuri appeared and introduced Renee and me to Viktor and Masha in the hallway outside the play rooms. We nervously shook hands and exchanged names. I recall Renee grabbing Viktor and giving him a hug. Naturally, all parties were very nervous as to the intentions and motivations of the other with regard to Yuri. Lela Steel, her assistant Aloyna and Julia Baskova all “just happened” to come down the hall at this time and suddenly we were blessed with many translators and familiar, smiling faces. This was also the first time Lela had met Viktor so, she hugged him until his eyes watered. If you know anything about Lela, hugs are a part of her everyday vocabulary. Hugs seem to translate well in any language and make a decent ice breaker. OK, so far, so good. From there, we invited Viktor and Masha to lunch so we could discuss things and get to know one another.
Sasha, our driver, always manages to take us to the right kind of restaurant at the right time. For this special occasion, he chose a restaurant with good food and a quite, comfortable atmosphere where we could all gather around one table and talk. The restaurant was on the shore of the Black Sea over looking the beach and offered a terrific view of the Sea. It’s like God thought, “here, let me give you a calm, serene setting to help put all of you at ease.” Cool.
In conversation and by looking into their faces, it was clear Viktor and Masha were expecting to never see or hear from Yuri again. Imagine, Yuri told Viktor about his adoption and travel to America only days before. Viktor was still in shock. Naturally, they were quite excited and relieved to know we expected to have regular communication and visits when possible. We exchanged addresses and phone numbers and set up a routine time for the boys to talk by phone.
Viktor was concerned that Yuri be able to complete his education. We confirmed our expectations for completing not only high school but our desire to see Yuri attend college or trade school. From there, we talked and talked. We also showed them photos of home, Yuri’s new siblings and pictures of the Ukrainian kids from First Covenant. Viktor was relieved to learn there would be Ukrainian kids in Elkhorn and Omaha to help with Yuri’s transition to the US. Masha liked us and took to Renee right away. Yuri started to smile more and more as he saw that our meeting was going so well.
It was obvious to us that Viktor had played the role of father figure in Yuri’s life to this point... doing what he could to support his brother. Viktor also supports and cares for their Babushka, who lives in the same apartment building. Big roles for a 19 year old car mechanic. Viktor said, “I have a limited salary and there is no way I can provide everything Yuri desires from life--higher education, going to America. Yuri has prayed for these things and so, you are an answer to our prayers.” After lunch, we all walked the beach together. Of course, there is so much more to share but these are the highlights. We plan to see Viktor and Masha again next weekend.
It is interesting to reflect back and realize how God has kept us blissfully unaware of the meeting times of all these major “first” meetings. The first meetings with Yuri, Nataliya, the Internot director and now, Viktor, have all occurred out of the blue and off the cuff. That is not how we choose to conduct business in our lives back home. We like to know what’s coming and prepare for it. The good thing about these “surprise” meetings on this trip is that we don’t have the chance to worry the night before. The meetings are suddenly thrust upon us and we have no choice but to move forward in simple faith. Listening only to Gods’ voice and prompts of what to say and do next. Forgetting about “our” plan and any pre-arranged agenda. Maybe we are learning something?
Viktor and Yuri. The boys sat next to each other at lunch. While they have different appearances, it was obvious seeing them side-by-side that the boys share the same eyes and smile.
Back home, whenever we visit a beach, our family looks for pieces of broken glass that have been smoothed and shaped by the sand and surf. We call it "beach glass". Here, Renee introduces Masha and Yuri to the family tradtion of combing the sand for beach glass.
The sea and surf with large cargo ships on the horizon.
Sea shells by the (Black) sea shore.
The restuarant where we met for lunch.
2 comments:
Hi Paul and Renee,
I have been following your journey and everyday I am blessed. I feel as though I am there with you. I was so thouched by your meeting with Viktor and Masha. Wow! I think maybe God order your day :)Thanks Paul for all the pictures. I will keep you in my prayers.
Blessings,
Jeri Roberson
Wow, that's so cool that you guys were able to meet Viktor and that all went well. I can see a resemblance between the two. Going through this process certainly makes you appreciate the perfect timing of God doesn't it?
We continue to keep you in our prayers and think of you often. We enjoy the pictures so much. Cole will be happy to see Yuri today, he has wondered where he was the last few days!
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