"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering." - II Timothy 4:6

For a tech dependant chick, this trip has been a real stretch. Dial-up internet, computers that are in Russian or Ukrainian, no ability to download photos - I'm really stressing here. But back to the subject, I was so afraid that my alarm wouldn't go off and that I would miss my ride this morning I must have woken up 3 or 4 times. But I was up and ready right on time and found out when I went downstairs that today is another Ukrainian Holiday. Today is Communist Day. No joking. I look down to the corner of the strret and there is a crowd gathered carrying red flags and singing. I asked my driver Dmitri what party is going on so early in the morning. He smiles and says, "Communist party!". We walked down and of course I took pictures. One lady was carrying a large sign with a picture of Stalin. Yeah, Stalin! It was surreal.

So we spent the day at orpahange #9 and #5 and I have tons of pics to show you. Its amazing the access we have to these children. That is due in no small part to the relationship Dr. R has established with the directors.

Could you imagine a foreigner walking up to a child care facility in America and knocking on the door? Not only have they let me in the door, they have been gracious enough to show me around, let me snap all the pictures my little heart desires, and sit and play with the children. God has truly made the rough places smooth.

This afternoon, we went back to orphanage #4 and spent some time with the children. Our day wrapped up with a traditional Ukrainian dinner of Borsch soup and a bunch of other things that I'm not even going to try and spell. It was all really good. We walked back to the hotel and it was getting late (9:30ish). From down the street we hear a little voice cry out Dr. R's name. The child runs up and hugs him and soon a few other children follow. I ask what he was doing out so late and I find out that these are street children. They were 13 and they literally lived on the streets. Most are run aways. Dr. R takes a little time to visit with the boys and singles out one in particular. He says he's been working on this particular kid for some time to go back to the orphange. I ask if I could take his picture and he says "Nyet! Nyet!" (no, no). He has learned not to trust people and doesn't understand why I would want a picture of him. One of his fellow runaways gets my attention and points to hiimself and says "Click? Click?" I say "Da!" (yes) and he poses and makes the funniest face. I am struck at that moment beacuse I remember that he is silly because he is just a child. By the end of our visit, Dr. R has convinced the first boy to return to the orphange on Wednesday.

So the game plan tomorrow is to leave early and visit orphanage #88 which is made up of children who are developmentally delayed. Their home is supposedly in real disrepair; worse than #4 or #5.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." - Psalms 36:7