We checked out of the hotel in Skadovsk today. Tonya picked us up in her car with her dad to take us to the camp and eventually back to Khersen. Tonya is just learning to drive and her dad is teaching her bringing back fond memories of teaching Ash and Kay how to drive. Her dad is a retired helicopter pilot and at age 70 was doing pullups on the beach with us. Took us 2 1/2 hours to get back to Kherson compared to the 1 1/2 hour drive with the crazy driver.
Today was almost a sad day because everyone was leaving to go back to school and leaving the sea. Most of the afternoon, we got to spend some quality time with our favorite boys...
 |
This turned out to be our group of boys we felt closest to. My three soccer guys on the left and the three soon to be americans on the right. Eli is the the leader with out a doubt and everyone looks up to him.
|
 |
| A walk to the beach |
 |
| We got Stas a little snorkle kit... he loved it and wouldn't take it off |
 |
| Vova with a jelly fish... |
 |
| Vova liked the snorkling too but it didn't work as well on the beach |
While we were sitting on the beach, hanging out, the older boys told me they went to church every Sunday. Eli likes American church better and said church here is an old guy reading a bunch of stuff and it was boring... which I'm guessing is the Orthodox Church here. Tonya told us there is also a Presbyterian Church here that tries to get the teenagers involved more and that they went to that church as well. These three older boys certainly exhibited God's love while we were there and we were truely impressed with them.
 |
| Not sure if this was a final goodbye but it did feel like it.. |
Darcy and I were hoping that these three older boys would make it to America and it would appear that Eli will but not sure about Roberto and Kola. Eli tried to re-assure us that it was ok. He told us "don't worry about us, we are happy here." And they are happy there, but they are unaware of what life will be like once they leave the comforts of the orphanage.
As we were walking out to our car, Eli said something to Stas in Ukraine and then Stas came up to Darc and said "I love you mama." We looked at Eli and asked him if he told Stas to do that and Eli shyfully admitted yes.
I am so proud of both of you for what you are doing......this is huge, and the love and caring you have shown these children is amazing. I am so glad that you have had this opportunity to show them God's love. I had concerns, but no longer have them.....this is because of reading your blogs and feeling the love that you have for these children and finding out more about Stas. God is blessing you in abundant ways..I am very very excited to meet my new grandson STAS DAVID FUNK....love you
ReplyDelete