Planes, Trains and Automobiles...

     Our Sabbath began with electric showers... I am not kidding.  When Tony finished his shower there was a voltage coming through the showerhead!  Thankfully he got out before anything crazier happened.  Then he tried to shave but the bathroom faucet also gave a jolt.  So, he had to shave in the kitchen sink and I ended up washing my hair there as well.  Another exciting day in Ukraine… Ha ha...

(The above shower and sink looks innocent enough... but looks can be deceiving!)

    After surviving a little electric flow we headed over to our favorite Kiev restaurant, "Double Coffee" (actually, I think it is Lithuanian owned).  We enjoyed laughs, good conversation, tasty food and fellowship with the Ragains and new friend, Dr. Stephen Davis.  The doc is a visiting professor at Kiev Theological seminary from the Baptist Convention of Indiana.  We were grateful for that time with all of them.  Mary Ellen brought some crafts and activities for us to take back to the orphanage.  Wonderful!  Of course, now we are quite loaded down with supplies.  Traveling through the city Sunday with all of our luggage looked like two vagabonds carrying all of their worldly possessions.  Little did they know, we are now carrying supplies for six! 

    Following a late lunch, we paid our landlord and were taken to “God’s Touch” Church here in Kiev.  We had the pleasure of sharing in worship with our brothers and sisters there.  Ben Robinson of Lifeline, as well as a co-pastor there, had invited Tony to preach and me to sing. As a musician, I must first share what a treat it is to be in a culture that esteems the arts. Music is cherished here which speaks to my heart.  The worship leaders sang their hearts out in three part harmonies and counter-melodies.  It was fabulous.  I shared a song I wrote a couple months ago called “Seek Justice” (from Isaiah 1:17 and chapter 58).  Tony then preached on “Adoption and Mercy Ministry”.  When Tony was finished, Ben shared a slideshow of our children with an arrangement of “The Solid Rock” playing and asked the congregation to use it as a prayer prompt.  It was a very moving and meaningful experience for us. 

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' Name.  On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand."

(The view from our sleeper car at the train station in Kiev)

(A glimpse of our sleeper car before stowing our luggage away)

(Pray for the Dunham family who are beginning Part 2 of their Ukrainian Adoption Journey... Click Here to read more and follow their story)

      We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then jumped in the car for train station.  When I typed this draft, we were comfortably situated in our own sleeper car.  The train left the station in Kiev at 8:45 PM and following many pit stops along the way, we arrived back in Zapporizhia around 6:45 AM this morning.  We checked into another flat, rested awhile, showered and are now getting ready to go visit our children!  We are so looking forward to reuniting with them! 

     Thank you for your continued prayers!  They mean the world to us!  Today's blog posts may be a two parter... Stay tuned for some detailed requests coming concerning the remaining paperwork to be accomplished here.  Thanks!