Another Day in Kiev

We only had adoption stuff to do for about 10 minutes today.  We had the rest of the day to roam around Kiev some more.  A facilitator that has been handling our paperwork came to meet us this morning for brunch.  We went to the same place we ate dinner last night.  They have English menus and the food was pretty good.  We did have really good coffee!  The facilitator's name is Nastya and she was awesome.  She really loves these kids and wants to find them families.  She understands them so well.  Today she confirmed what we had already heard about orphans in Ukraine.  She told us that the governments starts a savings account for them.  When they graduate from the orphanage at 16 or 17 they have maybe a couple thousand dollars.  The idea is that they would use it to rent an apartment and buy some necessities for it.  But they have no life skills so instead they blow the money and then have no place to live.  They have never been taught decision making skills or how to handle money.  So, they are out of the orphanage with no place to live.  She said that official statistics say that 60% of boy orphans turn to gangs and crime after they graduate from the orphanage.  70% of girls end up on the streets, most as prostitutes.  15% of orphans commit suicide in the first year after graduating.  Another 15% commit suicide in the 2nd year after graduating.  Like I said, we already knew these disheartening statistics but it just made them more real hearing them from Nastya while we are in this country.
After brunch, we met the Mullins and walked down to the river.  I think it's probably about a mile away from our apartment.  We pretty much walked all day long.  The river was pretty. They have a little carnival there - just about 3 or 4 rides.  Jody and Ellie rode the bumper cars.  It's pretty fun just to watch the people.  It's so different.  There are a lot of beautiful girls here and they are very dressed up.  They walk around all day in high heels.   They have a few fountains and people just jump in and swim.  We saw one really old guy swimming in his underwear - of course I took a picture (see below).  After the River, we walked back to our apartment and Alex picked us up to get our referrals.  We just went in and signed a paper and they handed us our referral.  Alex will pick us up tomorrow at 7 am to head to Zhytomyr where the kids are.  We will 1st meet the social worker and then see how we will go about meeting the kids.  Please be praying about this.  Everyone seems worried about the separation from the older brother.  It makes it complicated because they are all 3 in the same orphanage.  We need everyone to be praying that the brother will be supportive of Tanya and Bogdan being adopted.  Also pray that the orphanage director and the adoption inspector in this region will support the separation.  Please also pray for Tanya and Bogdan to feel comfortable with us and feel very at peace making this decision.  The last time we heard, Tanya definitely wanted to be adopted but you just never know how she will be feeling when the time is really here.  Tomorrow is a big day!  Thanks for praying with us!
We ate dinner tonight at T.G.I. Fridays.  We chose that mainly because we wanted ice in our drinks.  We were wanting ice tea.  They did bring a cup of ice for us to share but they had bottled Nestea.  It was better than a luke warm drink.  After we ate, we walked to the underground mall to get Gelato.  On our way home we ran in to the Mullins again so we got to visit with them a little more.  Now we are getting packed up so that we can be ready early in the morning.  So, that's it.  Here are some pictures from today:

This was really neat, the water just flowed down the steps and everyone plays in it.

Ellie and Jody in the bumper cars.  Ellie has been great.  She has been so patient while we talk and talk and talk to everyone!

The River

Beautiful women of Ukriane

If you could see these beautiful girls, you might not think this is a bad idea!

Probably my favorite picture of the day!!!  (I didn't take it of the birds, look closely)