Construction delays...sometimes the Contractor knows best

We are sitting here at Coffee In reflecting upon the last two days events. We now know we are delayed with moving forward, at least a week, perhaps more. Yesterday, we were irritated with the potential news of a delay. While we stewed with the inevitable, we were brought back to reality with a very real event. We witnessed the horror of a child being dropped off at the orphanage by authorities. All we knew, at the time, was a child was in immediate need by a heartbreaking cry.

Background: We were sitting with the girls at the orphanage. We saw a white van drive away and asked Sveta if this was the process for a child to be taken to the hospital. She said no. About 20 minutes later, we saw the van return. At the same time, the majority of the boys were outside playing soccer. We heard a cry of a child and I assumed a younger boy had been hit by a soccer ball or had broken a limb, something very serious because the crying would not stop or subside. Moments later, we noticed children trying to peer through the director's door to see what was going on. We knew something was different and wrong. We then watched, as a child was escorted past us down the hall towards the dormortory section of the building, sobbing uncontrollably. The poor girl had been picked up by authorities from her 'normal' environment and brought to the orphanage as a measure of protection. At that moment, our delay seemed so minor compared to the horror this child just experienced. Obviously, the daily situation this child was in was far worse! The cry was something I will never forget!

Today, we were angered with the news we are delayed with approval for Nikolas due to the recent elections. Once again, our wants were minimized with a reality more important. We were visiting Nikolas at the hospital with our facilitator. One of the nurses asked why Americans were in the hospital visiting a child. (The nurse was not aware of international adoptions and found it very strange that people would travel across the world to adopt.) As soon as she understood our intentions, she immediately asked me if I wanted to hold a baby that was left. I was unsure what she meant by left, but welcomed to see a newborn. Once I held sweet little Alexandra, I learned her mother had abandoned her. She was less than a month old. I am guessing she was around four pounds. Her skin was perfect. She had been crying and was fussy. As soon as the nurse put her in my arms, she opened her eyes to my American baby talk. She has beautiful blue eye and was focused on the stranger holding her. I asked Nikolas, jokingly, if he could be a big brother to her. Soon, she was asleep in my arms. I wondered if this was meant to be as her name is Alexandra. (Alexandra was on our list of girl names for the last ten years!) I questioned our facilitator on the process of this child becoming eligible for adoption. She indicated that there are many, many Ukrainians that are in line for a baby and the timeline for adoption eligibility. I knew instantly my role was to calm her at the time and some other mother was meant to be blessed with her. What an experience! Again, this child's needs were far beyond our need to get home!

So, we wait and pray for good news soon!  We miss you all and LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!