Nataliya, Yuri and Renee pose with the official invitation to our court date on April 2.
We arrived at the Internot shortly after 5 p.m. to pick up Yuri and take him out for dinner. We had trouble locating Yuri. He wasn't in the usual places. Everyone we asked had not seen him. After 10 minutes of asking around, a gaggle of cute, little 8-10 year old girls led us to him. Yuri was alone, laying low--more on that in a minute. Sasha drove us to the Afina Mall on the Greek Square in the city center. We selected a safe, buffet-style restaurant in the lower level and the four of us settled our food trays on a table obviously built for two. The normally forced and trivial dinner conversation turned a bit more serious this evening.
Speaking through our interpreter, Nataliya, Yuri told us that he met his half-brother, Victor (same mother) at the Internot this afternoon. At this meeting, Yuri told his brother for the first time that he was going to be adopted and live in the US. Naturally, his brother was surprised. Victor is 19 and a car mechanic near the Internot. We hope to meet him before we depart. Yuri thinks we will be able to do this after his brother has a few days to process to the news.
Then, Yuri said he would be staying with his Babushka (grandmother) this weekend. Presumably to tell her of his adoption and to begin the process of saying good-bye. We don't know much about her. Not even her name. She is around 84 years old and we think her health might be an issue. Babushka has visited the Internot before and we hear she is supportive of adoptions. Babushka also lives near the Internot and Yuri has stayed with his Grandma before. We hope to meet Babushka but Yuri is a little more resistant to this idea at this time.
We try to imagine the emotions Yuri is processing at this time. We told Yuri it takes courage to make this decision for yourself. To leave all you've known and start an entirely new life with strangers in a foreign country. We told Yuri he could send letters to anyone in Odessa he wishes to write. And, for his benefit, we would like to take photos of Yuri with his brother and grandmother. We also let him know that in the future, he could return to Odessa for visits. Yuri appreciated all this and assured us he was quite certain that he wants to become a part of our family in the US.
Prayer request - For Yuri, Victor and Babushka. I'm not even sure what the specific request should be. Just pray for them as you are led. Thanks.
2 comments:
Friends,
I thought I'd barge in on the Nebraska gang here!
My prayers are with you and Yuri as he faces the heartbreak of saying goodbye. As frustrating as this whole process is for us, I try to remember how painful it is for these children to endure everything.
We received word today of our appointment date of June 7th, and while I rejoice, I know how hard it will be for our girls to say goodbye to their three older sisters, all of whom were never adopted of course.
Your blog is such an encouragement and very funny too. Before you leave, please provide those of us who will soon be travelling with some tips. Do's and Don'ts if you will.
Meanwhile, may the Lord bless you and keep you.
Blessed Lent,
Jim Hale in Virgina
P.S. Hi Amy VP...remember we spoke last summer? We're adopting Galya and Anastasia from #4.
I remember when we ate at that restaurant at the mall. Did you happen to go into the restrooms on the lower level? We thought it so funny that they would have such high-tech doors that opened without touching them and then the squat toilets when you got inside. Are you enjoying those? Have you had to pay for toilet paper anywhere?
Anyway, Liz is here watching Saw 2. Hopefully she won't keep her grandmother up with nightmares.
We're still praying for you and Cole is anxiously awaiting Yuri's arrival.
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