2010 Update

So much has happened since my last adventure in Ukraine the summer of 2008.  My dear friends, John and Jean have adopted three brothers from an orphanage on the eastern side of Ukraine.  Dan and I met them for the first time in July....what a treat!  One of the highlights was attending "Life Fest" together. Life Fest is an outdoor Christian concert featuring a variety of Christian artists.  As you might guess, there was quite a variety of strange and wonderful food available from  outrageously unhealthy, deep fried, Oreos to Mongolian BBQ.  Above is little Daniel devouring an ear of fire roasted corn and Uncle Danny with Dennis and Daniel sporting their new shirts we brought them from KC.  In return, we each received a Packers t-shirt so our multi-cultural exchange took place on many levels!
Nick was determined to "lose" his second front tooth while we were visiting and spent much effort coaxing it along.  The night before we left, the tooth finally gave way with a last heroic effort after bedtime prayers.  Nick bounded out of bed and ran down the stairs  proudly displaying the tooth and his new gap which officially gave him the right to sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"!  We all clapped and cheered while Jean took photos to commemorate the occasion.

While Uncle Danny entertained the boys, John, Jean and I followed a roughly translated recipe and came up with a fabulous kettle of Ukrainian borsh.  The borsh was made complete  with Jean's freshly baked  "pompushki" (little yeast rolls) with garlic sauce.  As we sat at the kitchen table savoring the aromatic borsh, sprinkled with fresh dill and a healthy dollop of sour cream, it  felt like a lot like being home.

By the end of our reunion, little Daniel was asking  Uncle Danny to hold him.  Quite amazing considering 4 months previous, 3 yr old Daniel was living in an orphanage and only knew 5 words in Russian!  God knew what He was doing when he created families.  The marvelous love of a Mommy, Daddy, two brothers and many family members has catapulted Daniel into a life he would have never even dreamed of as a disabled child living in an orphanage.

My fondest memory of the time we spent with this beautiful family is when we all gathered for bedtime Bible stories and prayers.  Nick, Dennis and Daniel each took turns along with Mom, Dad, Uncle Danny and Dasha thanking God for His provision of the day, for family and friends, concluding with a sweet song.  Next to God, I am convinced the power of a loving, God fearing family is the second most compelling force in the Universe.