This is where I dump 135 photos from the third and final trip to Ukraine. Jeremy left on January 10, 2016 and returned with our two new sons on January 21, 2016.
I will caption the photos as best I can. I hope these will give you a flavor of the nation of Ukraine and also some insight into what life there was like for the boys.
Arriving in Kiev:
Day 1, reuniting with the boys and beginning paperwork…
Sights of rural Ukraine:
The orphanage: Welcome lunch, signing out Thomas into Jeremy’s custody:
Back in Kiev for more paperwork…
Another day…
Back at the Apartment…
Time to move Alex out of his apartment.
More out and about in Kiev:
Medical clinic and signing Alexander out of school.
A highlight of the trip: Going to church with Alexander and Thomas
Back at the apartment again:
Medical Clinic again–and an unexpected familiar face.
Farewell Party: The pastor of Grace Church (Alexei) and many of the people who have ministered to the boys throughout their stay at the orphanage came to say goodbye at this wonderful party. (Everyone wore plaid–because that’s so American! So sweet.) Good friends.
American Embassy. Shopping mall. Goodbye dinner at Oxana’s house.
Last night in Ukraine–Off to the waterpark!
Flying to America!
So, by God’s grace, that is how we took two orphaned brothers from the other side of the world and brought them to our family.
As the Lord Himself promised in Hosea 2:23:
“I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one. I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’ ”