"Da" (Yes) It's Really Thanksgiving Part 2

Teresa here:

First we want to apologize to those who have been waiting to hear more information about the kids. This week we have been on an emotional roller coaster ride.
After we got off the train, Monday, we had an hour ride to a small town called Kahovka. This town is on the Dnipro River. In fact the hotel we are staying in is a little more than a block from the river. The even more interesting thing about the town is our translator, Oksana, grew up in this town. Our hotel is across the street from her school and about three blocks from where she lived. She said it hasn’t change in twenty five years.

The first thing that happened when we got to town is to visit the inspector for this area. In this meeting we were told “Dennis said “NO” to two foster parents. In case you are not aware of the rules here, at the age of eight or nine the child has to give their consent to an adoption. The inspector said it will be our job to convince Dennis, who is nine years old, that he wants us as his parents. She did give some encouraging word by saying she liked us but didn’t like the foster parents. About 3 hours later we were on our way to the orphanage. We were also instructed not to tell the boys why were there for the first meeting.

The orphanage was in the middle with apartment complexes all around. We were escorted to the Orphanage Director’s office by the Inspector and Oksana (translator). In there we were told the names of children, why parental rights were terminated, their birthdays, and the health of the children. We were told again that Dennis had said “NO” to two foster families. We were allowed to ask a few questions. We were also told Vitali (five years old) was in the hospital and had been there for about 1 week.

We were given a few minutes to get ready to meet Dennis (nine years old) and Sergei (seven years old). They were very quiet at first. We had a small beach ball and got Dennis to get on the floor with us to play with the ball but Sergei would not leave the table. After a few minutes, I went up and played with Sergei with some cars and a loader. I showed him how he could lift the cars with the loader. Before it was over we had both of the boys on the floor playing. They have such great smiles. They left the room but were back in about 10 minutes. Dennis was asked if he wanted to see the pictures we had brought. He said “NO, I do not want to be adopted.” Our hearts were overwhelmed. Everyone decided to give them some time to spend with us and see if that changes his mind.

Tuesday we got to go to the hospital and see Vitali. He had so much fun with us. He called us him American Mama and Papa. Soon after we left the Hospital he asked the doctor to call his American Mama and Papa to come visit him tomorrow. The doctor, Maria, has been very wonderful and let us visit Vitali every day. She said we have given Vitali the emotional support to help him get well. He is such a great boy. He loves to laugh, play ball, get hugs, and pull Papa’s ears.

Sergei is quiet but loves toys. Dennis said Sergei would say “yes” to whatever as long as toys were involved. He loves playing with transformers, building small Lego sets, and wants to try anything that has to do with snow (like skiing, snowboarding, and Sledding). Oh, my I guess I get to go to the mountain and get cold and wet. OH, BOY!!! I can’t wait.

Dennis is a very caring and responsible young man. He loves taking pictures with the camera. After we showed him how to make video clips he decided to make all the unusual sounds that boys seem to like making. I guess no matter what country the boys are from, they all like to make the same sounds. OH, MY I guess I have moved to Mars for life. Don’t tell Jim but I am glad I have moved to Mars. The boys have snatched my heart.

The authorities decided that Thursday was it. Dennis would have to give his decision or it would be finished. None of the boys will go with us if Dennis says “NO.” Thursday at 3 o’clock will be the deciding moment. The emotions were overwhelming. They are great boys and I pray that the answer will be “YES”. Both Dennis and Sergei were brought to the Director’s office and in front of the Director, Supervisor, Oksana, Jim, and I. They were asked a lot of questions which I am not sure what all of them were. What was the most important was the answer to only one question. IT IS “YES”. THEY WANTED TO GO TO AMERICA WITH US!!! I really don’t think I would have handled it well if they had say “NO.”

God answers pray in very unique ways. To me this is amazing. Most of you that know us, know we have been working on this for about 2 ½ years. We could never figure out why it was taking so long when there were so many children. The boys have been in an orphanage for 19 months. (Children have to be on a registry for 14 months before they are even available for international adoption.) Then if Dennis had said “YES” to any foster parents they would not be available for international adoption. And if that is not enough Dennis said “YES” to go to a country where they have never been and we use a different language which they really don’t know. The boys fit our family so well (Rabbit Ears and all.) This really makes me know “God takes care of us; all we have to do is trust.”