Meeting the Adoption Officials

Kyiv – 31 Jan 07- Wednesday

Dateline – Kyiv Ukraine, 1500 Tuesday 30 Jan 07 – Meeting at SDA commences, 1540ish meeting concludes. We got to the appointment about 20 minutes early after a 20 grivna cab ride (in the snow) from the Sense office. The lobby was full of Ukrainian adoption facilitators waiting to submit dossiers for couples wanting to adopt. Yulia, our Kyiv facilitator, had gotten in line the afternoon before and slept overnight in a car to maintain her #2 position in the line. The SDA only accepts new dossiers twice a week during a 1 hour window. Each facilitator can submit 2, but they usually only get through about 8 people in the line – which is why Yulia got in line the day before.

We were ushered in to a small office by the SDA translator at about 1505. I gave my best Russian introduction; we removed our coats and sat down. There were five of us total in the office – Charlene and I, the translator, the official who seemed to be in charge, and another lady who worked at a computer the entire time. They first asked for or passports and after they were satisfied with our ID’s asked a question about our family. Charlene opened the scrapbook she had created with pictures of the family, our house, the girl’s room, our church, and all the local children that had been adopted from Ukraine. They seemed genuinely interested and wanted to see the entire scrapbook. Charlene made a strong case for why we wanted to adopt from Berdyansk, but to no avail. They showed us two packages which consisted of a double-sided page of information and a small wallet sized photo. The director went through all the particulars – age, status, health, school, orphanage director’s assessment, etc. After seeing the two, Charlene asked if there were any from Berdyansk – the official opened a large book and began to go thru it page by page. She mentioned several children as she went but in the end concluded that there were no girls in our age range without siblings in Berdyansk. We were left with the two files they started with to choose from. What a tough thing that was – so many unknowns, so odd to even make a choice knowing these were two young girls who are both equally precious in God’s eyes. We decided upon Alona. We asked for a copy of the file sheet, but they wouldn’t give us one. I wrote down her name and the spelling of the Oblast and Orphanage. Before we left, the official told us the referral would be issued the next day between 1700-1800. She also told us that there were no fees associated with the adoption and that if anyone tried to assess a fee, to call them. We left overwhelmed with emotion – excitement, wonder, thankfulness.

Here’s what we know so far about Alona – born 4 April 1994, somewhere outside of, but near Chernigiv. She is sensitive and very much wants to be in a family. Her teachers say she does well in school. She spent some time in Spain last summer with a family. She’s healthy, has dark blonde hair, and speaks Russian. We’ll tell you more when we know it.

I’m writing this on Wednesday AM – it looks like we’ll leave tomorrow for Chernigiv at 0600. It’s a two hour car ride with Nikolai. We’re headed off to meet Karen Springer at 1000 and then learn how to ride the Metro!



Dateline – Kyiv Ukraine, Tuesday 30 Jan 07 – Undercover American Couple Still Undetected……..
I wish you could apply that headline to us, but despite my best attempts to fit in – dag burn it if people don’t immediately figure out we’re not from around here. Once in awhile, when we don’t say a word, I think people on the street might not know. It’s funny the little social customs that I’m not sure of – like when you walk into a bank to exchange money, do you walk right up to the window or form a line somewhere?

Please continue to support us with your prayers as we head out tomorrow to meet our daughter!

Oh - about the two pictures. Charlene is standing in front of the statue of Shevschenko (forgive my spelling) much loved Ukrainian poet. Tim (in his new rabbit hat) is standing on the steps leading to St. Andrews cathederal right next to the adoption office.

Tim and Charlene.