Up the River

It looks as though we've kept everyone on their toes regarding our appointment. Dave and I wanted to take some time to think over the events of the appointment as it ended up being more than an hour long (a couple of days actually). After working through some complications we are now moving forward. We are ok with that. We want to make sure that we are in line with the Ukrainian government and the Canadian government and their expectations with us, as well as spending time praying through this difficult process.

Due to confidentiality reasons we cannot give specifics to the past few days, but we can say with hopeful hearts that we will be travelling to the Odessa region to a small city called Izmail on the border of Ukraine and Romania. We will likely leave on Sunday or Monday. There we will have the opportunity to meet an orphanage director and a child. We feel hopeful, and we are anticipating the next step in the journey of a bigger process.

Today is Saturday, and to occupy our minds in the meantime Dave and I ventured out on the boat tour of The Dnipro River. It offered lovely views of the lower Lavra and the Mother Motherland Statue. After the boat ride, we took the Funicular up to St. Michael's cathedral where we were only a short walk to our apartment. Tonight we plan to visit the Presidential Palace, lovers "bridge", and the park. We might even be able to catch a puppet show.

I have really enjoyed exploring Kyiv. It is a city of about 2 000 000 people (registered) and unofficially 10 000 000 people that actually reside. The subways and trolley buses are easy to navigate, and there is always a store close by that you might need (like a mini supermarket, a shoe or dress shop, currency exchange booth, or even nylons and a smoke shop) can be purchased on your way to the subway underground. Okay, the smoke shop is for all the people that smoke over here (which is the vast majority it would seem). But suffice to say that one can easily get lost in what is a never ending underground maze.

Dave disagrees with me, but I think the coffee is very do-able, I have a cappuccino every day (except for today, but the day is still young) and at least two pieces of Roshen Chocolate. We are in agreement that Roshen chocolate will be coming home with us:)

So what can people pray for? 1. Current situation of Ukraine. For every time you see a step forward it seems to take another step back. I myself have not fully grasped the concept of what it must be like to feel like you are losing parts of your homeland and nationality.

2. Safety for Dave and I as we continue to travel to Izmail and for the next steps at the orphanage.

3. Our home and pups (Yes, Matt too:))

4. Discernment.


Photos

 The escalator going to down... way down. (Although the picture looks like we're going up)

                                                                        Found it!

                                           People park their expensive cars on the sidewalk.

 We went to the Pharmacy museum... creepy. They had separate rooms in the basement for witchcraft.

                                                         Lviv Chocolate shop... again.

                                              I guess breakfast gets lost in the translation....

                          One of only a small handful of certified gluten free foods here in Ukraine.

                                                The Lower Lavra from the Dnipro River
                                                (The saints are buried here in the caves)

       

                      Funicular up to St. Michael's Cathedral and only a few minutes from our apartment. It cost 12 cents per person to ride.