We are home safe and sound, and we are happy to be home again after a wonderful trip! We had a slow start having to sit on the airplane 3 1/2 hrs. before departure due to some mechanical problems. They also had to let anyone off who did not want to remain on the flight and then get their luggage off.

On Mon. we helped on the boat for a cleaning day that they were having after their prayer meeting in the morning. My job was to take care of Olyvia while Laura worked on the nursery or children's room. It was tough!! ha, ha! It was another beautiful day, and it was actually hot so I was able to walk alot with her. She loves being outside and sleeps well outside. Joey took Stan, Natalya, victor and Sergey to the Lavre, a place where a lot of Russian Orthodox priests live and there are some very interesting things there. They did not go into the catacombs which is a little weird.

Now it is back to the real world. I think I am on load 13 of laundry. The kids went back to school and are doing well as far as the jet lag goes. We will see how they are doing after church tonight.

Stan took Kareel to the Bronx today for a Dr. visit with the neuro-surgeon who will assist in Kareel's surgery next Tues. It will be quite the intensive surgery on his skull and cheeks. He will be in intensive care for a day.

See you around.

Mary

Thank you all for your comments! It has helped us stay a little connected to home. I am finally hooked up to the internet here, and we have 2 days to go. We have continued to stay busy and have had lots of excitement. We are having such a wonderful time, but there are those moments when thoughts of home become a desire as well. So as usual it will be bittersweet when we leave on Tues.

Just to catch up a little on what we have been doing. On Fri. Stan, I, and Kareel went to the CBN headquarters here in Kiev. The Webbers are the representatives here, and they have a niece, Karen who works with them. Karen is the one who did the interview, she is such a nice person. We had met her before and she put the last DVD with Kareel's adoption on it. It was such a beautiful day that we were able to do it outside. Might I add that we have had exceptionally warm weather here for this time of year. Kareel was asked a lot of questions and handled it very well. A segment was also done in a park, playground area near by. We were quite the spectacal there. I think everyone was wondering what in the world are they following this funny little boy around with a camera!! We've had some kids actually afraid of him at the playground, and the mothers hustle the children out of there.

Fri night Laura invited Phil and Lauri over for dessert. They are the main base leaders at this time. Great people, and we had a great time with them. They have 2 younger children here and they are incredible soccer players and Serg and Victor have had a lot of fun playing with them. Serg and Vic have even had opportunity to play with some Ukranian boys from the neighborhood, so that was neat. Everyone here is quite good at soccer.

Yesterday we got our souvenier shopping done in the morning. The first time there without feeling frozen! It was quite an accomplishment to have everyone find what they are looking for. We stopped at Mc Donald's for a few burgers and then headed out to the property where they are doing all the construction. The accomplishments are unbelievable. There are still property disputes going on unfortunately. We spent the rest of the day there with Kelly and Vicki Hoodikoff. What hospitable people! It was so warm that the kids were actually barefoot at one point. We had our first barbeque of the season! They did not have a grill it was more of a homemade pit, but it worked and we had delicious food. We celebrated Inna's birthday there. Laura made a cake and Vicki helped make it very special.

Another beautiful day and later we hope to go to the circus.

Sandra, I think that Lena might show us tomorrow how to make vereneke. Lisa, the poem was so special as usual. I am going to make copies and the kids will put copies in their scrapbooks.

The alcoholism here still is so overwhelming, and it is hard to see many young people early in the morning already drinking. Everyday we see many showing the effects.

Love,

Mary

Good Morning Ukraine Time!

We are still having problems with my computer connection, so I am using Laura's.  We will be leaving soon for an interview with CBN for an interview in regard to a follow up of Kareel's adoption.  Yesterday we had a great visit at Kareel's orphanage and it went so well.  The Dr. who was closest to Kareel was crying.  All the workers were hugging  Kareel and he handled it all like a trouper.  He was given a box of chocolates, a remote car, a calendar from the orphanage, and a Ukranian story book with writing in it from the Dr.  We brought some gifts for the workers and lollipops for the kids that they allowed Kareel to hand out to the kids as they were eating lunch.  CBN wanted to come and film while we were there but were not allowed because of insufficient paper work, so Joey used one of their cameras.  It was definitely worth the trip.  Joey drove the YWAM van and so all of us were able to ride out in that instead of public transportation.  Sonya went as our translater, and Brenald, who is volunteering here for 3 mo, and she is from the Farell Islands.(sp)?  Such sweet girls!

Last night we all went to Family Night on the boat and Stan did the sharing and he did a great job.  In the morning we went to prayer.  Every first Thurs. morning all of YWAM around the world prays for the same nation.  Everyone was given statistics and needs for that nation.  It was very good and even Kareel participate in the group prayer.  He prayed for clean water.

It has been so great too for the kids to meet so many people from foreign countries.  We have seen Lena and Andre several times and their baby is beautiful.  He just loves to laugh!  Mon. Lena will come here and show our kids how to make vereneke, which is kind of like perrogies.  They can be made with meat, potatoes, or fruit.

We miss you all so much, and do think of home a bit.  Stan and I miss our bed!  Yesterday we "celebrated" our 44th anniversary.  Sat. we will celebrate Inna's 14th birthday.

Time to go!

Love to All,

Mary