I am so overwhelmed that I don’t really know where to begin. There is just so much that I want to tell you about—so many things that God has done! I just can’t find a place to begin it seems. I think I just might kina of list things today…
PRAISE GOD FOR BEING A FATHER TO THE PREVIOUSLY FATHERLESS!
The morning started with a trip to the trade school where Petya is located, and waiting on us were the deputy director and Petya’s head care giver. EVERYTHING was ready for Petya to sign that he wanted to be adopted. It was so funny, he wrote his letter, signed it, sat back and smiled and his teacher realized he had misspelled something and he had to write it again! Oh, priceless the look on his face! He said, “Oy, something, something, something (I couldn’t understand this part). After he finished he sat down by Jon and asked when the plane was leaving!!!! He is READY to come home! Praise God for bringing our lives together and for my two wonderful sons, one by birth and the other by his choice.
PRAISE GOD FOR THE HARVEST
Many of you that have followed our story know that Petya has a sister and that there have been many, deep complications with trying to establish a relationship with her. Through many heartaches we came to the point where obedience was our only option and God was not directing us to adopt her. It was truly heart wrenching and many of you prayed and cried with us as our hearts broke for her and we grieved for the loss. We were very concerned about what role she would play in Petya’s adoption because she is the older sibiling and in Ukraine she has the right to deny us the opportunity to adopt Petya. It was necessary for us to meet with her both yesterday and today along with the inspectors (much like our social workers). As we talked she told us that she had made the decision not to be adopted and she gave some very good reasons. The trade school is a WONDERFUL place and she is doing well in her studies in book keeping and she wants to finish because she does enjoy what she is studying, she has a steady boyfriend that, according to the teachers, is a good boy, and she absolutely does NOT like America. It is far too different from Ukraine for her tastes. She did tell us that she did like us and enjoyed knowing us and she wanted Petya to be with us. Only God could have moved in this way. We told her that we respected her decisions and that if she was willing, we wanted to always keep contact with her and be her extended family. She was thrilled and for the first time in 3 years, she actually hugged us with sincerity. We had a lovely visit with her and got to see her relaxed and happy for the first time. It was just a God thing. That is all I can say. God did give her to us, it was just not in the way that we expected. She asked if she could visit with us when we came to the school to visit Petya, and we agreed of course! The school has been wonderful to and for her and she has blossomed. The town is a perfect place for her to thrive and have a life and she enjoys the town and the people there. With cell phones and emails we can stay in contact. We are all very satisfied and pleased with this relationship. America was just too different for her and praise to the Lord, she is now at a place that is perfect for her. The difficulties this summer lead to her going back to Ukraine early, which lead to her being moved to this school—all part of the Master’s plan. There was a seed planted, and God is bring the harvest in His own time and His own way and we are privileged to be sharecroppers with Him in her life.
PRASIE GOD FOR MAKING OUR PATHS STRAIGHT
God has brought the most amazing person into our lives—Sergey (aka—Super Sergey). This man gets things DONE! Today we completed paperwork that can often take over a week—did you get that ONE DAY. I must also give credit to the inspectors. These ladies have been so efficient. They have completed their portion perfectly. They have been so very, very kind and helpful. I often prayed to God over these three years and asked Him if there was anyone in Ukraine that really was concerned with the welfare of the children. He gave me my answer. Today He reminded me that He did in fact have people that cared deeply for these children and He gave me the privledge to meet them. The deputy director of the trade school, the caregivers, the inspectors all of these ladies are sincere and believe me I know because I have met some that are not. There is a difference in these ladies and it is evidenced by the lives of the teens they work with. The teens at this school are happy, well-fed, clean, gentle, welcoming, smiling, laughing, and showing progress. The first day Sergey was concerned because this is the first adoption by Americans in this area and he was concerned that there would be problems—God’s plan brought us here. We have enjoyed walking in His way today and your prayers have came before us and we are thankful.
PRAISE GOD FOR BEING GOD ALL OVER THE WORLD
This is truly such a lovely town. I wish you could be here and soak in the atmosphere. There are many young mothers and fathers strolling down the center of town with their babies, the older men sit and talk and visit, the older ladies walk and shop and complain about the men sitting and visiting. The teens are polite and hang out together along the main strip. The children walk to and from school without fear. The community dogs are just as fat as they can be from all the tidbits that everyone feeds them. The schools are bright and the children are smiling. For that matter, everyone you meet has a smile for you and a nod. The favorite stop to get snacks is busy and the favorite thing is often sold out. The dating couples are sitting close on the park benches from warmth and love and the ladies always have a flower! The government buildings are open and friendly and busy with work. The community is clean and well cared for. We have been treated with more kindness here than anywhere we have traveled. There have a castle that is now a museum and we have been invited to tour it—The Queen will finally get to see her castle!!! The children at the trade school are talking to us and think that Jon is cool! There is a welcoming spirit in this town that I have not felt before. Now I am reading Beth Moores’ To Live Is Christ about the life of Paul . In one part of Paul’s missionary journey that I am studying, he is shipwrecked on the island of Malta. At first it seems that God has made a mistake, until Paul realizes that the people of Malta are in fact a good and caring people and he has a very positive experience while stranded there. I was afraid that we were facing a shipwreck when we first arrived, but these people have been so warm and helpful. I pray God’s blessings on them and their town. We took some pictures of the community and they are also posted on the picture site. I hope you enjoy them.
Today has brought so much closure to three years of wondering. I would be foolish to say that we have obeyed without question. We have had many questions, temper tantrums, tears and long nights. Today we experienced a completeness like no other. God CAN be trusted, He is GOOD, and HIS love endures!
I gotta scat for now, we are checking out an apartment that we hear is FANTASTIC!! So excited because I have some stories about our hotel room that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Love from all the Williams, all FOUR of them.
