I know people have been checking our blog for an update, so I am finally ready to post. So much happened during this past week and I could write a whole book on what we've been through and everything we feel right now.
We had our 3rd appointment at the SDA on Monday afternoon. We were shown a lot of files and all were with sick kids, some very sick, some older than we were looking for. We selected to visit a brother and a sister - 500 km from Kiev. Without getting into too many details, which I will share at a later time - we did not get a chance to see the children. The referral letter was once again incorrect, 2nd time in a row from the SDA. The orphanage director would not let us see the children because a foster family already had a contact with them a few days prior to our arrival.
Two days later, this still has not been resolved. A lot of local government offices had to get involved to resolve the situation, but as everything in Ukraine - we have no idea when it would be resolved and a permission by the director to see the children would be granted. We have decided that these children are not meant to be ours - so many obstacles are/were in our way. We have given that foster family priority since they already had a contact with the children. We did not want to traumatize the children as they already know these people as their parents that are coming for them.
My heart is aching and crying - we've put so much effort, time and feelings into this journey. And now, almost 4 weeks later - we are still at point zero. Most of what happened with this referral is not our fault - we came to see the children with open hearts, but were denied the opportunity. We prayed and asked for God's will, and to this day I try to understand why God is letting us go through so much pain. As Chistians, we know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle and loves us more than we can love Him. We saw so many children at the orphanage playing outside. All of them were asking us whose papa and mama we were. Some children were saying that they want a family. I cry every time I recall their eyes looking up to us asking why isn't anyone coming for them...
Our facilitator is trying one last time, pleading for SDA's understanding, given the circumstances of the last referral. We will know early next week what their decision is and if we will be given another chance. But I don't know if we can handle seeing another sick child or dealing with more mistakes made by government. We are emotionally drained and have very little hope left for anything better.
Please pray for us to see the light in this very dark tunnel...
Friday, March 28, 2008
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18 comments:
Dear Inna and Ruslan,
I can feel your frustration and sadness, and I wish I had something to offer in comfort. All I can offer is my prayers.
It is so frustrating that the dysfunction of the systems there allowed this to happen yet again. Your obvious concern about the children involved and how this might impact them demonstrates your loving hearts.
Your own words describe your deep faith. It is so hard to understand with our human minds, why you are being tested like this. Cling to what you know to be true about God and His love for you.
Praying fervently for you both.
How terribly painful this must be for you. I hope that the SDA is willing to give show you other children at another appointment.
Dear Ruslan and Inna,
This is discouraging news. The SDA has a strange way of messing with your emotions. It is not fair that one family receives 3 possible referrals of "healthy" children to choose from- while another gets children that cannot function in society or have a chance of a quality life without massive medical intervention. It is not fair - and it is so unfortunate that any family has to go thru this.
My thoughts and best wishes are with you. I hope and pray that you get another appointment with the SDA - keep trying - you have come this far! There is a child out there waiting for you - it is just going to be a little harder to find them - until they are ready!
Amy
I cannot begin to understand what you guys are going through, but please know that you are in my prayers. Our God is a God of the impossible, and I pray that He will open doors for you with the SDA that would otherwise be impossible to open.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31: 8
I pray that even now at this very moment, He is going before you and working out your situation. In the mean time, continue to focus on Him and know that as hard as it is to understand, this is somehow part of His plan.
Inna and Ruslan
It is completely ridiculous that you have not been shown children that are adoptable. It is such a shame!
Praying for success!
I am so sorry for all the pain and frustration you've endured, and pray that things will unfold with the best possible outcome for all concerned. It is so hard to see such injustice...
You are in my prayers, along with the orphaned children of Ukraine and those who care for them.
Best wishes,
Susan in Kentucky
I know you have a lot of questions about why your road has been so difficult and it's hard to understand why God has allowed this to happen. I know firsthand how heartwrenching it is to reject a referral. I wish I had answers for you, but right now it doesn't seems like there are answers for any of us. Just know that right now, there are a lot of total strangers offering up prayers for you!
Hi, I have been following your blog. Just wanted to let you know that I am pulling for you and hope and pray for a good outcome.
Christine
I am so sorry about what you are going through. I feel strongly that God wants these children rescued even more than you do. This is a fallen world with way too much "red tape". I will pray that God will move mountains on your behalf at the SDA and that no power against you will stand.
Hang in there - you are covered in prayer.
Julie
This is so outrageous! And I am so sad for you and the precious orphans.
I feel like I've posted this scripture passage on a lot of adoption blogs lately. But here it is for you:
Isaiah 40:28-31-- Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
He is up to something. We don't get to see the whole picture yet, but He is up to something.
Praying that we get to see our God of Justice move mountains for you and on behalf of the orphans of Ukraine.
Gina
I'm so sorry to hear about it... But there is still hope! It was SDA's mistake, so you should be getting another appointment. Who knows, maybe your child is just getting of the registry? Hang on there! The light in the dark tunnel is coming soon!
You're still in my prayers every day. Hope you get some good news this week...
Blessings,
Julie
Inna and Ruslan,
My thoughts are still out there for you guys - I hope that you get some news this week!
Amy
Still thinking of you and praying for you...
How are things going? Did you end up getting another appointment?
Continuing to pray for you.
Gina
Hopefully you don't post only because you are already in the region... If not, I'm sure you'll get there soon!
Inna and Ruslan,
Congratulations!! You are still in my prayers for a safe return. As soon as you receive the birth certificate and medical records we need to present them to the interstate office in PA so everything is legal for your return.
Lorrie
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