Ginny & I are in a coffee shop in Kramatorsk, Ukraine trying to tune out the local pop music videos- which are more fascinating than I can relay. We are racking our brains, trying desperately to sort our thoughts into some sort of order that make will make sense.
Our last two days have been spent at Antoshka Baby House- an orphanage here in Ukraine. We are accompanying our TEAMworks therapy team that has come back this year to continue their work with the special needs children here.
But we are here for her.
To hold her. To let our senses take her in. We are here to meet Lena- the girl we are adopting from Room 4. A designated room for older special needs children- little ones destined for institutions when they age out around 4 or 5. This is a room we have spent most of our time in and a room our therapy teams knows well.
And she is awesome. Although we are well aware that our precious few hours have not allowed us to know her many intricacies, it has been a joy to begin learning who she is.
There’s such life in those eyes despite an environment that would have choked the life out of me long ago. There is much to be done, and more to be undone. So much so, in fact, that one of the many struggles on this trip, for me, has been to enjoy meeting her rather than let my mind start structuring a step-by-step plan for all that she needs.
But Ginny has led the way on that one as she has reveled in the moments here. I have often stepped back to behold something holy in the way of a mother meeting her daughter. Okay, so I’m stopping that line of typing as I’m about to become a tearful, sniffling idiot- and suffice it to say- that would do little for my Ukrainian street cred in this here coffee shop.
We are headed back to be with her again today, believing that miracles come often occur unnoticed in the oddest of places.
__________________________
Come back tomorrow for a new BLEMISH IS BEAUTY post. Also, you can follow more of the trip here.
3,031 Comments
Ginny & I are in a coffee shop in Kramatorsk, Ukraine trying to tune out the local pop music videos- which are more fascinating than I can relay. We are racking our brains, trying desperately to sort our thoughts into some sort of order that make will make sense.
Our last two days have been spent at Antoshka Baby House- an orphanage here in Ukraine. We are accompanying our TEAMworks therapy team that has come back this year to continue their work with the special needs children here.
But we are here for her.
To hold her. To let our senses take her in. We are here to meet Lena- the girl we are adopting from Room 4. A designated room for older special needs children- little ones destined for institutions when they age out around 4 or 5. This is a room we have spent most of our time in and a room our therapy teams knows well.
And she is awesome. Although we are well aware that our precious few hours have not allowed us to know her many intricacies, it has been a joy to begin learning who she is.
There’s such life in those eyes despite an environment that would have choked the life out of me long ago. There is much to be done, and more to be undone. So much so, in fact, that one of the many struggles on this trip, for me, has been to enjoy meeting her rather than let my mind start structuring a step-by-step plan for all that she needs.
But Ginny has led the way on that one as she has reveled in the moments here. I have often stepped back to behold something holy in the way of a mother meeting her daughter. Okay, so I’m stopping that line of typing as I’m about to become a tearful, sniffling idiot- and suffice it to say- that would do little for my Ukrainian street cred in this here coffee shop.
We are headed back to be with her again today, believing that miracles come often occur unnoticed in the oddest of places.
__________________________
Come back tomorrow for a new BLEMISH IS BEAUTY post. Also, you can follow more of the trip here.
3,031 Comments
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on October 12, 2011 at 1:34 pm
absolutely beautiful… crying tears of joy for you guys (I don’t have to worry about my Ukrainian street cred….yet…), and I can’t wait to hear more about your time with Lena!! love you guys, and praying for the rest of your time in Ukraine.
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on October 12, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Well, just realized I typed the same thing as the person above, so I erased that. Needless to say, I am overjoyed that you are spending sweet time with Lena, and I’ll be praying that you get to soak up as much time as possible with her. And of course I’ll be praying for a miracle.
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on October 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm
My heart is so full as I watch yet another miracle in the way God weaves families together. I am on the edge of my seat to see the next steps He leads you on … and I can’t wait to meet that little sweetie! I love how lit up that precious smile is!
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on October 12, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Praying for big things…and for very little things. I can’t wait to read another update.
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on October 12, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Matt and Ginny, my heart is overflowing with joy for you. I know you have prayed for this day. I can’t wait to read/hear more about this special child and all that God has in store you and her.
Loves!!!
absolutely beautiful… crying tears of joy for you guys (I don’t have to worry about my Ukrainian street cred….yet…), and I can’t wait to hear more about your time with Lena!! love you guys, and praying for the rest of your time in Ukraine.
Well, just realized I typed the same thing as the person above, so I erased that. Needless to say, I am overjoyed that you are spending sweet time with Lena, and I’ll be praying that you get to soak up as much time as possible with her. And of course I’ll be praying for a miracle.
My heart is so full as I watch yet another miracle in the way God weaves families together. I am on the edge of my seat to see the next steps He leads you on … and I can’t wait to meet that little sweetie! I love how lit up that precious smile is!
Praying for big things…and for very little things. I can’t wait to read another update.
Matt and Ginny, my heart is overflowing with joy for you. I know you have prayed for this day. I can’t wait to read/hear more about this special child and all that God has in store you and her.
Loves!!!