productivity actually happens in Ukraine

Finally we got to go to the baby house! We suited up in the morning wiht the armor of God during our devotional, prayed for our children, and off we went. Everyone was on time and we arrived at the baby house and were greeted nicely by Vanyas group. A part of Vanya was excited and a part was really not too sure why we were there. He was having no part of being more than an inch away from me and didn't really respond to all the smiles from the caretakers. Much to my and Rob's surprise all the children were fully dressed to go outside. Many of the little people we recognized but many others were new. There were quite a few downs syndrome babies in the group now as well. There was also a little girl that had legs like Vanya's friend Luba. What a precious little girl Svieta was. Full of smiles and was even using the stroller that had been Luba's previously. They really wanted us to take a picture of her in hopes that someone else would want to adopt her to she could live a normal life as well. Olga had some games for the children to play and a tube for them to crawl through which they thought was a blast and also some balloons. We prayed for as many of them as possible. I had a very hard time with the first one but after that it got easier. Marina, with the big hair, was there and she was just as cute as last year. We got to stay right up until they had lunch and even then it was very hard to leave. Vanya had fallen down and hurt his hand and was not a happy camper after that but was content to have me hold me anyway. He had played nicely with his group but much preferred his brothers to his group mates. Everyone was very grateful for our visit and many of the caretakes were just thrilled to be able to see us and know that we had brought others to make a differnece in the lives of these kids as well.
Then it was off to the market. I had one of the best nectarines I have every had in my life. Lisa found some more fresh veggies and fruit as did the rest of us. We negotiated for some soccer balls and volleyballs for the kids as the director had told us that the playground would not be started until more funding was available. So we have purchased some balls adn will look for some Keds for the kids to play sports in which is the other request. We had a bite to eat at the good ole MickiD's and hten we were back to #3.
The kids were very happy to see us today and even Andre was a little today. I didn't post yesterday becasue the comuters weren't working right and I just needed time to get over how much some of the kids have changed in a year. Every year in an orphanage takes it toll on kids. We were able to share our cubes with this kids and a group of girls really took and interest and prayer the prayer a teh end to accept Jesus into their heart! Most of them already knew about God but this time they prayed teh sinners prayer and are now part of the family of believers. Yuri did great at the orphanage and was very happy to see his friend Roma. Even though he couldn't talk with him they had fun racing and playing games together. The girls we were talking with had all sorts of different backgrounds but knew it was important to pray and that God is real. It was sad that one girl had said she had come to America before but that the people didn't want her and sent her back. I thinkit was probably a hosting trip and then the people decided not to proceed but the way she toold it ws that she tried out adn wasn't wanted. We explained to her that God has a perfect plan for her and obviously she wasn't meant to be in that family but that she is on the family of God and that is all that matters. We really got a chance to hsare with the kids today and I felt as though we had a very productive day.
Tomorrow we will work in the morning doing something adn then have activities and a concert with teh children. We have begun to put the heart gallery togeher as wehave gathered namesand pictures of many of the kids. We hope to get many more tomorrow.
Signing of for now but read Lisa and Vickies posts too,
Laura