Saturday - Return to Sumy

Twister at 95 degrees

It is so fun to be back at the orphanage where every simple thing in life is new, fun and appreciated. Anndraea (my daughter) for a personal progress project, helped organize a neighborhood/ward event to raise money for toys to buy for the orphanage. She and all the girls and leaders collected over $400.00 so her and Rebecca could buy "fun things" to do in the orphanage. It was Christmas in August and the air was full of laughter and smiles. The day started with Twister and let me tell you the level of difficulty goes up when it is over 95 degrees and humid. Most kids had never seen or heard of this game, but loved to get tangled up. When I started offering prize money for first, second and third, it really got crazy and funny.

Another Cute Girl That Needs A Home!

She has an older sister and a younger brother here at the orphanage and always just hangs around when we are at the orphanage. Siblings cannot be split up, so it will take a special family to adopt 3, but they are nice cute kids. Looking at the picture again.... how can she be an orphan?

Nerf Gun Wars Invade Sumy

They liked all the toys but the 4 Nerf guns with velcro body targets ruled the day. It was non-stop even with the girls. They were all so hot and sweaty from running and shooting at each other but no one cared. They all just played and wore the "Terminator" safety glasses after my safety lesson. I love obedient kids! This went on for hours....

They love to be loved and have their picture taken!

More Nerf Wars!

Notice they run on the asphalt in bare feet like it was a beach in Maui. They just don't wear shoes and their feet are leather. (Yes, they look like you would think they would look close up) Rebecca already talked to the kids about a pedicure. This makes me think of the pedicure scene from the movie "dumb and dumber". It will be fun!

Lena and one of the many Puppies

She is the puppy care giver at the orphanage. All the dogs love her and follow her around.

Christmas

Notice the girls are playing Nerf (velcro target vest) and you can see Lena and Pasha with the new roller blades. Part of the toys included 4 sets of new roller blades. These were being used the entire day and changing between kids every 30 minutes.

Pasha is Mr Roller Blade

No idea how, but he can jump, go backwards etc... Crazy on blades.

A First Timer on the new Roller Blades

Lena and new clothes for going home

First thing today, "Dad, do you bring me clothes". Well sounds like she will fit in well with the neighborhood girls. Anndraea, perfect on your selections for Lena. She was so excited and wanted to wear them today but she will have to wait so she has clothes to travel home with. When she leaves the orphanage, she has to leave her clothes there for the other girls. Amazing!

Pasha Trying to win!

The prize money was very motivating

Lena with a new game

Pasha and Dima (gangsters for a day)

"I want a Mom and a Dad"

Jzania was pretty shy and quiet last time I was here, but now that we played Nerf and twister he opened up quite a bit. At the end of the day he asked the faciltator to help him talk to me. He told me that his Dad is dead and his Mom has never come to see him and asked if I will help him find a home. He is a skateboarder and really a handsome nice boy. He looks like he belongs in the ......?...... family with that shaggy hair.

A Big Thank You: Great day. All those people who contributed to the toy funds ... it was a huge success. The teachers could not believe all the toys and the kids were so happy to not be sitting around, like they do most summer days. Before today, the orphanage only had a soccer ball, 1 pair of old roller blades and a few old games. What you did was huge and I wish you were all here to see, hear and feel the big day of Christmas at Sumy! A big thank you to all, you have made a difference.

Our Schedule: We finished all the passport work this morning and now we are waiting to meet with the US embassy. We still plan on being on a plane next saturday the 14th to arrive about 10:45 PM. Will update as the week goes on. It's so hot here!

August 3 - Getting Closer

Waiting patiently for Oleg to finish the paperwork with the Ukrainian government so I (Dale) can head back to pick up the kids. Oleg as always, is doing a great job. Best estimate...within 10 days. I will update as soon as I know.

Last Day in Ukraine pt. A

Rebecca & Lena in her bedroom.

This kids really know how to make a bed well. Every room we passed by was so organized.

Kids!

This is Lena's room. There are 4 beds to each room. The room is probably about 12' x 15'. Everything is so neat, clean and organized. Whenever we come to the orphanage the kids always start to congregate. They always grab the camera and start taking pictures and making movies. They love to see themselves on the playback screen.

Dale with Dima on the last day.

This is the happiest little 13 year old in the world who needs a home. He is a soccer stud and shares his rollerblades with anybody who asks. If you are reading this, think of someone you know that has a home for him. He made us promise that we would look for a home for him.

Dale watching Pashas Musical Performances

Pasha and Lena have performed all over the Ukraine playing the Ukrainian traditional flute and singing. They both are gifted musically. They love to have someone that they can "show off" to in a good way. It is fun to hear over and over...."Mom/Dad watch". Victor (on the left) is another one of the cute boys in the orphanage.

Orphanage for Children Under 8

Today on the way out of town we met with the director to bestow a small financial gift to help upgrade the facilities, which is tradition from an adopting family. We met him at the orphanage for kids under 8. While we were there it was the traditional 1:00 to 3:00 nap hour. There were many rooms just like the one shown with kids napping. It was incredible to see. The orphanage was so clean and the people working there were kind and genuine in their care of the kids. What an experience.

Last Day in Ukraine Pt. B

Dale, Rebecca, Masha(interpreter) & Oleg (facilitator)

Unbeleiveable. This is where we picked up the final document. Oleg was amazing as always and Masha was so easy to work with everyday. We have spent everyday, all day for the last 10 days with these two and they are now like family. They were simply amazing and driven. We have grown to love and appreciate them and their commitmment to the kids.

Dale having fun!

Funny Story! This old Ukrainian man was walking down the street and and was carrying a heavy potato sack of belongings. He would stop every 30 seconds and switch hands. Finally he crossed the road and had to have a smoke to regain his strength. I grabbed his bag and and motioned that I would carry it for him. He talked the entire time and I just nodded my head. He never even know that I had no clue what he was saying and I had no clue that he was on the 5th floor of his building. Anyway just fun to see people happy. These people work so hard for everything here.

Sunflower Fields for 50 Miles!

On the way to Kiev from Sumy (5 hour trip) the sunflower fields were so amazing to look at for miles and miles. Some fields were in full bloom and a solid sea of yellow. Many fields were 5 miles long. What a beautiful country and there are many things we will miss.

Tonight we will stay in Kiev and catch a flight HOME in the morning. Can't wait to see the kids and stop sweating. We have grown to love Ukraine, the people and the culture, but still no place like home (Dorthy was correct). We will be home Saturday late and I (Dale) will travel back to get the kids the first week of August after the 10 day waiting period. We can't wait for that day! Thanks for all your prayers, there were many miracles.

Day in Court - Thursday

It is Official! Pasha & Lena Gledhill !!!!!

It only took 2 years to get to this point. We made it! The judge ruled that the kids last name will now be Gledhill and in 10 days they can go to America to be with their new family. Lena was all smiles until she learned about the Ukraine 10 day grace period. Court lasted about 45 minutes and there were some tough questions. Faith and prayers once again prevailed! Oleg (facilitator) and Masha (interpreter) were amazing as always and had us prepared for court.

Pasha and Dale with awesome looking menu

After court we went out to have a big Ukranian traditional dinner. Pasha was all smiles because I told him to order anything he wanted, and he did! The food was great and everybody was so happy. We are all so releived to finally be done with court.

Celebration Dinner with Us, kids, Masha and Stockwells

Our Cute Lena!

She dressed up for court and was so proud of her high heels. They hurt her feet, but she loved looking beautiful. We are glad she is only 13. I am sure we will have plenty of boys over to the house between Lena and Anndraea our other daughter.

The real Pasha. Happy, Happy....Happy!

This is how a boy looks that has just eaten like a king and gained a family. The picture says it all.

We called our kids in Utah tonight and Pasha and Lena grabbed the phone and both said, " I am your new brother...I am your new sister". They can't wait to get to America and join the family! See you soon!

Wednesday in Sumy

Greek Orthodox Church

Today was kind of a laid back day. The facilitator was busy with Stockwells in court along with the translator so we used this day to catch up on wash and I (dale) spent time following up with emails. We also spent part of the day wandering the city looking at the many cathedrals and small shops. There are so many people on the street in the middle of the day, we wondered how high the unemployment rate is in the Ukraine.

Lake with Swimmers

While out on the walkabout we crossed several bridges and watched the people swim in the lakes/rivers. It is so hot today (again) and the number of people in the lakes swimming is unbeleiveable.

New Shoes!

Following up from yesterday, we were able to get Lena some shoes/Sandals with soles. She was so happy and grateful and told us how beautiful they were. It is fun to have these simple surprizes mean so much.

The big news today is that the amazing OLEG, our facilitator was able to finalize 99% of our paperwork and he has a court appointment tomorrow with the judge in the afternoon. This is ahead of schedule and really amazing. All I can say is prayers are being answered and mountains are moving. The kids are so excited and they can't wait for the meeting tomorrow because they know this means they can be officially be adopted. They want to come to America so bad. We only spent about 2 hours with the kids this evening and they were fine until we had to go back to our apartment. They really wanted us to stay.

FYI: for the families getting ready to come to the Ukraine: The food is really good and we have found a great little pizza shop that is inexpensive and fast. We thank the Lord daily for his involvement in this process. We miss home!