Somehow, it feels like things just work out in Ukraine. This morning we left the apartment in Kiev around 9:00 a.m., knowing that our drive would take us by the International Airport and two couples were arriving from the U.S. to begin their adoption process. So…..I called Delta Airlines to ask about the exact arrival time of Delta flight 88. Technology is amazing!
As it worked out, some nice lady in a call center in the U.S. was able to tell me that the plane had just landed in Ukraine, but not yet at the gate. Knowing the process of clearing passport control and getting bags better equipped us to know that we would be going in front of the airport about the time these two families were coming through customs. So, we asked the driver to turn in the airport. We walked into the airport and waited no more than five minutes before greeting Ande and Paula Underwood as well as Rocco and Leetha Plaia. I have walked through those same doors several times, and I know how nice it is to see a familiar smile when you enter Ukraine.
Paula and Andy Underwood are on their second adoption journey. On their first trip they adopted Chris from orphanage 21 and this time, they are coming to get "D". "D" is special to all of us. Her smile is unforgettable. She was with a group from an orphanage that came to our house in 2005, so it’s been a long journey to get her.
Rocko and Letha are here to adopt "Y" and her sister "K" who are from another orphanage. "Y" came to our house with a group in 2007 and is unforgettable. Her sister has not been to America before. So as soon as these families get their referrals, they will be spending their time in Eastern Ukraine.
As we visited in the airport waiting on their facilitators to arrive, we saw Melissa May and her two recently adopted kids, Bogdon and Yulia. Yulia is 14 years old and was a part of the group from Belereschensky orphanage that came to our home in 2007. She is very out-going. Bogdon is her almost 18-year old brother. That’s right, he is one month away from turning 18, and what a great guy he is with a fun personality. They are really going to be missed. Yulia has a way of being everywhere all at once and being the life of the party.
The result of this grand meeting is that we were able to take a photo of all four families in Ukraine at one time, each on a different adoption mission.
Please add the Underwoods and the Plaias in your prayers as they begin their processes.
For us, we are on to Poltava, a five-hour drive in the rain in a red volkswagon van with a leaky sunroof and a smiling gray-haired driver.
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