Our Girls!

The process for the adoption seems intermitable, even though we have only been at it for about a month and a half. We've filled out the paperwork for the homestudy (the U.S. part of the adoption process). We are now just waiting for the social worker to get all our letters of reference and background check information back before she can schedule a meeting with us. Once the homestudy appointment is made then we can contact the adoption agency in Florida to begin sending us the paperwork we need to complete for the International part of it. Please pray that all this will move along expediently. We're patiently anxious!

We have heard from the girls! One of the translators who worked with us last summer went to visit the orphanage where the girls are. Valya is a teacher in Ukraine, and is a Christian. We are so appreciative that she was willing to do this for us. She blessed us by taking the time to travel and to serve as a bridge between us and the girls. She sent us an email as soon as she returned to her home. I will just let her words speak because they tell the story more powerfully than I can.


Dear Dawn and Mark,
It was a nice trip to Mariupol. I came on Saturday at 1p.m. It took about six hours to get to this town. Vova, Zhenya, and Vova's father were waiting for me at the bus station. We had a lunch and at once came to the orphanage. Before going to girls I wrote a letter to them that I was going to visit them on the 20th of September. They were waiting for me and I had a conversation with them, gave them many hugs. I tried to be calm, but in side I was almost crying. I read a translation of your letter, asked girls to write the answer. They miss you very much and love you very much. They want to go to America and be your daughters. Zanna and Ella showed me their day-books and copy-books. They are studying well. A teacher, who looks after all girls, allowed me to come inside the building and girls showed me their rooms. Zanna lives in a separate room from Ella, next to Ella's. The rooms are clean, there are four beds, a wardrobe and bed-side tables with shelves. Ella lives with another girl.
All kids live and study at the same building in different wings. This is a three-storyed building. The canteen is on the ground floor. There is a TV set in the big room.
Dawn, I will send and translate the leters from girls, they also drew many pictures for both of you. In their drawings they call you mama and daddy.

This is Zanna's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
We were very happy and glad to get your letter from Valya. We miss you very much. We will be waiting only for you. Everything is OK with us. We also want to see you, always remember our time spent at the camp "Little Hawk". We told everyone about our classes and what you told us about God. We want to be your daughters. We study English at the orphanage. We want to see you as soon as possible.
When Ella and I think about you we are always crying and wait when you take us. We still have Bibles and read them. At first we thought that you had forgotten us, but when Valya brought a letter from you, we thought that you would never forget us. We are waiting for you and love you.

This is Ella's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
I am very glad that you have decided to take us in your family. We want you to become our parents. We miss you so much. And if you have a chance, take us to America for summer hoidays. We pray every day. I kiss you.

Dawn, girls answered your questions
Ella's favourite color is yellow; Zanna's favourite color is pink. Their favourite subjects are History and English. They do not like Maths. Zanna likes reading encyclopedia and Ella - fairy-tales. Zanna and Ella likes singing and knitting. Zanna is going to perform in the concert soon. They both like sports.

I think that in November the 8th I will visit girls again and for sure before the Christmas time it is necessary to bring some candies and little presents. My students will help with shampoo and soap and other things.
Today in the morning I visited girls again, they gave me your letters and drawings. We again talked and at 11.30 I went to the bus station. I came home at 7 p.m.
I took pictures of girls and I am going to send them to you.
I love you,
Valya

Needless to say, Mark and I were in tears as we read this. God is graciously opening up their hearts and ours to form a family. We have a better understanding now of God's feelings about us as He adopts us as His sons and daughters. He longs for us to come to know Him so that we can one day live with Him forever. We are longing for the time we can be with the girls as God longs for the time He can be with us.

Blessings to all,
Dawn