Can you hear me now?

January 31, 2008

Jenn and I set out today to make our first trip completely solo from apartment to the orphanage and back. We have done the return trip by ourselves, and from various other metro stops, but never the whole thing, from beginning to end. We made it with great success, and even got groceries for dinner. Independence is a good thing, and though we are no were near fluent, we can say a little here and there to get by to get somewhere we want to go. Capiche’
So we went by McDonalds today for a quick bite, since it is right at our metro stop, and we both enjoyed a chicken wrap. Mama, thought it would be nice to get each of our boys a hamburger so she pocketed those in her bag and we were off for our 2 line metro experience. We actually got to sit on the green line, lower traffic at around 2ish, and she got to sit on the red line. We got off and road the Marchuteka out to the orphanage, which he barely missed the stop before we had to say stop. It’s all good, just about 100 feet past where we usually walk from. So we make it there by 3:07pm and wait for signs of the children, who get out of school at around 3pm. Kevin is first today, which is the usual. He doesn’t know where John is, so I go outside with him down toward the soccer field, while Jenn waits inside for signs of him. Kevin asks for the camera, and I teach him about the video feature. Ahhhhhh the excitement, so a barrage of video and stills follow with friends and then with me and mama as she joins us. He doesn’t want to play soccer, so we just kinda talk and eventually eat his hamburger. John comes up about 35 min. into our visit and declines the hamburger. Ok, what kid do you know doesn’t like hamburger? That would be yours truly. I am a chicken eater, and have never been all that fond of hamburgers (although I do like Ukrainian hamburgers from Mc Donalds – not American ones, go figure). So we are kin, I have decided, this was the litmus test and he passed, so he will have less school work than Kevin when we get home. Just kidding. This is a running joke about lessons, how many will they have, they keep asking me.
The rest of the time was spent kicking the soccer ball around and snowball fights. I loved it! Finally some physical activity and I got to play too! It was good to hear, Papa, kick to me. Or Papa, here I kick to you. My skills were rusty, but they didn’t seem to care. Others joined us in at times, and it was a good time had by all. Even Mama kicked the ball a few times in between getting some good camera footage. We understood the boys had to be in by 4:45 so we left just prior to that. They wanted to know if we would be back tomorrow? Yes we will be here, we promise. So tomorrow we will follow through and visit again. We are hoping to take the boys out Saturday and Sunday for bowling and shopping.
Upon arriving home, the phone began to ring. The number was different, but when we answered it Low and behold it was John and Kevin. Kevin, again designated to do most of the talking, spoke for them both. We introduced Denis to them, and they asked all about who he was. Denis, you from Ukraine? You coming to America with us? Can Mama and Papa bring food tomorrow too? And drinks. We are cracking up. Kevin kept saying, listen, wait. Listen, wait. Haha Denis did a great job at being our voice as Lori laughed with us at what they were saying and interested in. It was so funny, but they were excited and loved to be able to talk to their Papa and Mama on the phone. 7 calls later, I was instructed to call back at 9 pm, when John answered and said Kevin went to bed (per Denis’ translation). So I told John I loved him and that we would see him tomorrow. He said he loved us and goodbye. Not a phone talker this one, at least at this point with limited English. After 7 calls I was ok with this, since we were repeating a lot of the same stuff per each call. But did we both love that our boys wanted to talk to us. Yes, Yes we did.
What an exciting day. You know, I had commented to Jenn about not having many English speakers to communicate with other than our friends. She says there are probably more around us than we think. So on our ride home tonight, God even addressed this by a Ukrainian historian, a kind man that noticed us and struck up a conversation. Insignificant, I think not! God is interested in our needs and desires. He hears our smallest requests, and works His plan into the intricate parts of our daily lives. That man was a blessing, a message to me that God is listening. So, Kevin’s continual plea, Schlushid “listen” and wait, is a message God wants us to hear. How about you? Are you listening to what He has to say to you? Are you waiting on the things He wants you to experience of Him today? I hope so, life is so much better when we do these two simple things.
We love you and you are in our prayers!
Good Night “Spakonie noche” from Ukraine
Papa Mark