Safe Arrivals

Dear friends and family,

I have titled this e-mail “Safe Arrivals” for a number of different reasons. In the last e-mail, I wrote that Jason, my fiancé, would be arriving soon, which he did smoothly. Once his flight was in, we spent a day in Kiev with one of my friends before heading off to Simferopol on the 14 hour train ride. The two weeks with him here went by very quickly as we were busy doing “touristy” activities as well as introducing him to some of the ministries I am involved with here as well as meeting some of the kids in the orphanages. A highlight for me was going to Sudak, a city on the sea with old ruins of a fortress, because I had yet to be there. He was able to meet many of my friends, Ukrainians and missionaries, many of the kids, some of the Orphans Hope staff as well as catch a glimpse of what my life is like here in the culture of Ukraine. The school year just started this week, and we wanted to do something special for the 5th graders. This is one of the classes that Tara, Rachel, and I worked with on a weekly basis when we lived here before, so we have many solid relationships with many of these kids. We took both 5th grade classes bowling, which is always hilarious; the kids have no concept of sitting and waiting their turn (which I decided the bowling alley wasn’t the right time for that lesson), so they all would hold a ball and stand on the alley and wait for their name to show up on the screen. Many of them just ran from lane to lane trying to bowl every time they could if the right person wasn’t taking their turn immediately. It felt very rushed. He was able to preach at our church, Living Vine, and everyone seemed to appreciate that. Another missionary shared for a few minutes as well, and their messages lined up perfectly. It was great for both of us for him to experience my life here and to be able to spend time together before we face these next ten months apart. It was difficult seeing him off this Monday as he left for India, but we are both very confident we are following God’s will regardless of how we feel about the situation. He arrived in India on Tuesday and is starting his ministries there.


Not only did Jason arrive safely, but several boxes that I had shipped in the middle of July came about two weeks ago. I was amazed at how quickly they got here (less than 4 weeks) because I was told it would be around 8. Everything was here – boxes untouched – tape all sealed. That is a small miracle in itself. My friend, Jocelyn, also arrived safely (only 4 hours later than expected) last week also. She just finished a 3 year stint in Zambia and is headed home to the States, so she decided to visit on her way back. We have been friends for about ten years, and we’ve had a lot of catching up to do. It’s been good to laugh and tell stories of life on the mission field and have someone to tag along with me around town and to the orphanages.

Tuesday was the first day of class – First Bell. At Gagarin orphanage, we attended the ceremony, which consisted of poems being read aloud, a skit, and words from the director and some other workers. I’ve written before that these moments are always bittersweet because these are big holidays and monumental moments in their lives each year, and for “regular” school kids, parents usually attend and watch much like we would a band concert or a sporting event. However, again, other than Jocelyn and me, there were only about 3 other people. The rest of Orphan’s Hope staff attended the ceremony at another orphanage. I’ve written many times about the current 4th grade class and how many of their peers were adopted to the States. The parents of the adopted children have supported this class in different ways, and I have been the link to make that happen. Because of that, I have formed a pretty close bond with the caretakers and children in this class, so after classes on Tuesday, Jocelyn and I threw a party with them and had a really great time. We played three different games with them for about an hour, had cake and juice, and then presented them with some school supplies and some toys. While in the market earlier, Jocelyn suggested we buy these rubbery, creature balls that had lots of appendages and lit up when they moved. I went with the suggestion, and the kids absolutely loved them. They went a little crazy actually. We also gave the caretakers gifts to show our appreciate of letting us spend time with the kids. After the party, we sat with the caretakers for about an hour eating sandwiches and talking about all sorts of different topics from the kind of paint they bought to paint the kids’ room to orphanage life in Soviet times to running - all which they brought up. It was humorous. This kind of relationship with the caretakers is what gives us the entry to work with the kids. Without their trust, it is not likely that we would be able to do anything with the kids because the decision is theirs. After I gave them their gifts, they just kept saying. “Our Esther, she never forgets the caretakers. She gives the kid gifts, and she never forgets us.” It was neat to hear this because even two years ago when I wanted to do something for this class, they were very hesitant because they didn’t know me. Really, the entire connections stems from the parents who have adopted in the past and wanted me to continue communication with their children’s friends and do something special for them.

During these last three weeks here, there have been four adoptions take place. One of the girls I know well and have worked with for several years, and two others I’ve spent a little time with but nothing significant. There is at least one more adoption in the process supposedly happening in about two months of an older girl who I know well. It has been amazing to watch and be able to spend some time talking with their future parents. Adoption and families are really the best solution to survival for the children in the orphanages, and I am so thankful to these families for opening their homes and saving these kids from such black futures.

I was able to meet with several teens recently as well. I was told by a friend that one of them was trying to reach me - a girl I hadn’t seen in two years, which was shocking but at the same time, I was kind of expecting it as I had said to Tara and Rachel the other day over skype, “What if so and so enters the picture again?” I had poured hours and hours into this girl to be told about a year ago over the phone and while she was drunk that I didn’t care about her if I wouldn’t give her 100 dollars because she was going to lose her apartment. That was our last conversation because she wouldn't answer my calls until the random request. We’ll see where things go with that.

Apartment hunting is still in the process; I’ve looked at two and have had other appointments set to look at others, but each time the landlords or agents call and cancel. After deciding I wanted the second apartment and making the call to take it, I was told that someone else had already taken it, so that was a bit frustrating. I am still living out of suitcases in a room at the church. I will be attending the weekly Orphan’s Hope staff meetings next week, and as soon as the orphanages know their schedules, I will be able to start setting weekly times for lessons and activities there. Tara will be arriving at the end of the month, so I will probably wait to start Russian lessons until she gets here, so we can do them together.

Here are things to pray for specifically.
1. I would really like to get an apartment as quickly as possible in order to feel settled, unpack, and figure out my living arrangements for the next ten months. It’s hard to feel like I actually live here when I am still living out of suitcases. Pray for a great location, price, and a place that will be comfortable and able to be used effectively for ministry.
2. For Jason as he begins his work in India and transitions into the culture and community there. And that our relationship would remain strong regardless of distance and we would be able to communicate well. (Praise the Lord for skype and modern technology!)
3. For the new families who have/are adopting. That the family bond would be strong and both child and parents will have patient and love regardless of difficulties.
4. For Jocelyn as she transitions back into life in the States. That she would have patience and wouldn’t be overwhelmed and frustrated as she goes through reverse culture shock.
5. For Tara, as she continues to wrap up her life in the States for now and begins her adventure back to Ukraine for kids in orphanages.
6. For the new school year for the kids – that this would be a year where they see God’s goodness regardless of their environment and situation – that they would make good and healthy decisions – that OH staff will be effective and purposeful as we work with kids and teens on a weekly basis.

As always, thank you so much for your prayers and support!
In Him,
Esther
Jason with the boys after bowling.
Bowling!

Jocelyn and I in caves in Yalta

Andrei and Jason in Bachchessarai


Jason and I in Sudak

3rd Grade Party

3rd Grade Party

3rd Grade Party


First Bell