Sunday, February 15, 2009

Kiev - Feburary 15, 2009  

Kiev, Ukraine - 6:23 p.m.
We've had a nice day today and a GREAT night last night. We got into the airport off the plane at 4:30 p.m. and got in line for passport control. Thankfully, not too many people cut in front of us! :-) We then got our luggage (which all got here!) and headed for the customs area. I always get real nervous for some reason going through customs. We didn't have anything illegal, but the officials always kind of scowl. They give you the angry eyes no matter what.

So we went to a place called "Terminal." There's swimming, bowling, go carts, movie theatre, a "best buy" type store and a big supermarket called "MegaMarket." It's basically a Wal-Mart. You can buy pretty much anything there. We got a few days worth of groceries and some other needed items (for about $25).

We got to the place we are staying at a friends "guest house" in Brovary (near Kiev) that is kind of a "conference center" for Christian groups. They are graciously allowing us to stay without rent. Praise the Lord! We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Yum!


This is the living room at the guest house we are staying at...
Mary at the guest house...after our day in Kiev.

Jamie Hejl (prounced Hale) is an American missionary who lives in Brovary
and helps with the conference center. She makes great meat loaf.


We talked with our friends the Loux's and found out some things that were happening with SDA in the way they are interpreting some laws and that may affect our timing of things. We are praying that it won't. Please pray! Our appointment is Monday morning (2:00 a.m. Central Time--so if you happen to be awake...please pray).

I've been here over a dozen times and every time, the first night is a fitful, sleep and I always wake up throughout the night and wake up really early and can't go back to sleep. Well...we prayed last night that God would give us a good night's sleep. I went to sleep around 11:00 p.m. and I woke up at 7:30 a.m. for the first time. WHEN THE ALARM WENT OFF! I didn't even turn over because my iPod earbuds were still in!!! Mary did the same! Praise the Lord!! We couldn't believe. We, of course, prayed and thanked God! He is good!!

We went to NewLife church in Kiev. The worship music was awesome (we knew several of the songs), the sermon was on loving God with all your soul (translated in English through headphones)...it was very challenging and very good. My heart is so prone to wander. So often my love for the Lord is given to other things and people. He is so patient and loving.

We parted ways with our friends at that point and ventured out alone with a map to find the SDA building so we could find it in the morning. We took the LONG way getting there, but found the short way back to the Metro station that we will get off at. (Yes...I know I shouldn't end a sentence with AT, but what other word could I use... :-) ) Here's some pictures from our day...

Blogger wasn't working right so please see these pics in the post above this one...


Thank you all for your prayers. We are so appreciative of what others have done and the way God has used YOU to make this possible. We are thankful. We are humbled. We are blessed.

Today, in church, we sang "Blessed Be Your Name." I was so blessed when we sang the part that says "You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your Name." I was reminded that whatever happens tomorrow at the appointment, that we WILL BLESS the name of the Lord. No matter what! That was a moment of great peace and resting in His arms. That's what we're doing. Resting in Him, trusting His hand, depending on Him for every moment.

To our church (First Baptist Church of Moore, OK):
Thank you dear friends for your prayers and for caring for our family while we are gone. Thank you for allowing me to be gone for so long. It's not normal to take all your leave time at once. We appreciate it so much. We are truly blessed to serve the Lord with you all and we love you. We missed you this morning. I have to say, though, that it was nice to go to worship with no responsibility but to soak in the Word and bring praise to Him. See you before we know it.

To our kids and nana:
Mom, thank you for helping us. You'll never know the burden that lifted the moment you offered to come stay with the kids. That is such an amazing sacrifice you are making. As we save these two boys, I know the sacrifice is worth it. We love you and are praying for you.

Blake, we are so proud of you and the man of God you are becoming. It's a hard thing for someone your age to share more of your home, your stuff, monetary resources, and time. You've been a real blessing as you have taken these changes that are coming. The day you were looking at pictures of orphans with mom and said "don't you think we need to adopt someone who needs us that noone else wants?" was such a blessing to us. Your heart for the needy orphans (especially the outcasts with special needs) is what God calls "pure and true religion." We love you.

Hannah, your tenderness and love for us never ceases to bless us. Your love for the little guys we're bringing home is so wonderful. I can only imagine how much you will love them when you meet them. We miss you so much and will be glad to see you when we get home. We love you.

Bethany, we miss your beautiful smile. You are such a blessing to us. You are a beautiful girl, inside and out. Your sweetness and kindness is such a blessing to us. The way you care for your friends and your family is amazing! We love you.

Seth, we hope you are having good days and having lots of fun with nana! You are such a sweet boy and you are so loving and tender. We miss your hugs! I wish I could hold you in my lap right now. We're so excited to introduce you to the boys when we get home. I know you'll love them. We love you.

Eli (the teeth grinder), give that boy a big hug and kiss from us. He's such a loving guy! I know he'll let the new Malone boys right into his heart! We love you, Eli.

Well...we're about to enjoy some cold meatloaf sandwiches (YUM!!!). Then a regular bedtime and prayerfully a full night's sleep! We'll let you know how tomorrow goes.

Be blessed!

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4 comments: to “ Kiev - Feburary 15, 2009

  • thedickinsonfamily
    February 15, 2009 at 3:25 PM  

    We're praying for a successful appointment tomorrow. I can't wait to hear the good news! This is the time we have been talking and praying about for 6 mo., it's finally here. Praise God! This has been an amazing journey so far, I'm expecting great things for you guy's. Know that your loved and prayed for. I can hardly wait to love on two more Malone kiddos. :)
    Blessings,
    Meghan

  • Brigitte
    February 15, 2009 at 4:01 PM  

    Prayers for a smooth appointment tomorrow! Have been thinking about the two of you all weekend and raising prayers up for you as well!! Can't wait to hear how your appointment goes!

  • Malones
    February 15, 2009 at 4:28 PM  

    God bless you as you have your appt on Monday. We continue to pray for each day of your trip and those precious boys! The photos are great and we had to laugh out loud about Chris' "self portrait" explanation.
    Martha and David Adamson

  • Kenneth
    February 15, 2009 at 7:45 PM  

    Chris & Mary: Sound and looks like you and getting along just fine. The pictures look very familiar.
    I was wondering when I read you sung "Blessed Be Your Name" little ironic that we were singing that today in church, a few hours difference but stil the same song.
    I know that God will have his hand in everthing and we'll just keep praying that all will go smoothly.

    Beth LaFever