Kari:
I wanted to let everyone know that Jim, Ashley and Josh are on their way to Kiev right now! Jim picked up Ashley this morning, and they went to church with Sergey (where Jim went last Sunday). This time they called all three of them up, laid hands on them and prayed for our family. We have been so blessed and encouraged by our brothers and sisters in Ukraine during this whole process. Then they went to lunch, and Ashley started crying. Understandably, it is very hard saying goodbye to her friends. Since they were catching the late train tonight at 11:15 p.m., Jim told her she could go back to the internat for four more hours. When they got back to the internat, he said she excitedly told her friends, "I have four more hours!" Then he and Josh went back to the Bible House. When they went back to her internat, she was still saying her goodbyes. Jim spent an hour with her roommates, and they wanted to see every picture on his computer. They were especially interested in seeing pictures of Jim's twin brother, John, and his family. Jim told me tonight that he wished he had done this weeks ago with her roommates because they really enjoyed it, and they were very interactive today with him. Eventually Ashley had said her goodbyes, and they left the internat-forever. What a monumental day for our daughter. It is so hard being here in Colorado, but Austin and Tatum need me also. Then they went out to dinner. Sergey and his mom and dad came to the train station at 11:00 p.m. to see them off, and Sergey's mother wrote Ashley a letter to help encourage her. It is amazing to see God providing Christian women to help Ashley through this time when I can't be there for her. A couple we met at church in Kiev at the beginning of our trip is letting Jim and the kids stay with them for their final few days in Ukraine-another huge blessing. Jim called me as the train was pulling out of Kherson. He has been in Ukraine six weeks tomorrow.
This is the home stretch. We are just waiting for the passports to be completed. Then they will be sent to Kiev. The last thing is medical exams for the kids and visas at the US Consulate in Kiev. We are hoping they will be home on Friday, and I will post when we know for those of you who want to meet them at the airport. Jim will post the long version of today later.
Please pray for our good friends, Rolan and Eileen, who flew to Kiev on Friday. Their SDA appointment is on Tuesday!
Grieving and Healing
8 years ago
2 comments:
Praise God that Jim and the kids are safely in Kiev. God has so richly provided for Ashley during this heartbreaking time for her. She has courage to press on, and we all know she won't be disappointed. We can't wait to be at the joyful reunion for your family. Hang in there- it won't be long now!
Jim and Kari,
I hopped on today and checked up on Jim and the kids! Yeah, they are on the train to Kyiv!
It was great to get caught up after a bout with the yucky stomach flu that is going around. The visit with Josh's family sounds like it went well and was a little heartbreaking. Josh can write and draw pictures and send
photos and keep in touch. He knows they will love him always.
It was nice to also nice to read about Ashley and her journey. She will be so much better when she arrives and she can see reality vs. apprehension of what she thinks things are.
Jim, we love hearing of all of the day-to-day and even forgetting the books in the store locker. We would have also if we hadn't needed the bags to haul things! I guess you figured out the frozen crab sticks - did you bake them?
We can't wait until Jim and kids are home and look forward to the airport!
Lots of hugs,
Twyla, John, and the kids
PS - The word verification today to post this is "blest" - it is spelled wrong, but yes, it is reminder that we are, you are, and so is every family who takes this challenge on!
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