Leaving on a Jet Plane!

We leave for Ukraine tomorrow at 6:30 am! Yippee! (I never thought I'd be so excited about sleep deprivation!) We are ready to do this. God has been so good to us. His leading has been perfect. We had no idea when we received the word two weeks ago how we were going to possibly get everything done in time to go. But He has worked through everything and has provided the time, money and energy that has been required every day.

The girls' room is ready for them to come home. I posted pictures for you to see. We invited our dear church family over to see the girls' room and to pray there for them. Other loving friends have come over at different times, as well. The blessings have meant so much to us. We pray that Zhanna and Ella will walk into that room and feel love like they've never known before and that they'll feel God's presence giving them peace.

We're ready to go, but we know there will be challenges ahead. The six weeks in Ukraine may not be a picnic. There are some issues ahead that may need to be dealt with. We hear there's a possibility that some people we meet with may be expecting "gifts" of money in order to move things along speedily. That is often the way things are done in Ukraine, and you can't blame the people. The incomes there are low and inflation is high, and they struggle financially. It seems to be just the way things are done.

Well, we're not really surprised by this, but we're not sure what else we will encounter along those lines. I was feeling a bit anxious when we heard about this. We had estimated the amount of money needed pretty exactly. We were told we had to carry a large sum of money with us in new American bills in order to make certain transactions. Mark had to make special arrangements at the bank for the new bills. We were concerned that we wouldn't have enough money for this and other things that will come up. However, God has shown himself mightily! In the past two days we have been given a total of $1700 by several different people - just out of the blue! God provides before we even need it! He is so good!

The journey is just beginning, but the journey has been ongoing for 9 months now. We are about to give birth to a new family dynamic and welcome two new members. This journey is a physical journey, but it has also been a spiritual journey for everyone involved. We've been so blessed to feel used by God in this endeavor, but to also witness how it is affecting those around us. The generosity and support of faith has been amazing. The way God muliplies one situation to bring about a greater understanding of Him and a greater love for all mankind is astounding. We are humbled to be at the hub of this venture, and we know that we'll never see where all the ripple effects will go. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Our faith has grown this year. Someone handed me a little book marker the other day that had these words on it: "Radical Christianity. There's safety in complacency, but God is calling us out of our comfort zone into a life of complete surrender to the cross. To live dangerously is not to live recklessly, but righteously, and it is because of God's radical grace for us that we can risk living a life of radical obedience for Hm." We feel that is the journey we have been on with Christ, and what a GRAND adventure it has been! And there is more to come! Hallelujah!

So for now, God be with you till we meet again. Hopefully we'll be able to blog a little from Ukraine, but if not, we look forward to sharing when we return home. Remember, "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His." II Chronicles 16:9

Dasveedanya! Goodbye for now. We'll be home soon and so will Zhanna and Ella!
Much love,
Dawn and Mark