2 Weeks in Ukraine

We have been in Ukraine for two weeks now.  It is hard to believe it has already been that long and at the same time it feels like it has been forever.  We are in our 4th apartment and have put many many miles (or kilometers!) on our car.  It has been full of highs and lows.  And completely unexpected things - good and bad.
We have been surprised by the kindness we have encountered in the people here.  Natasha was the cook and waitress at one place we stayed and we were able to visit with her over several meals.  She hugged us both when we left with tears in her eyes and said she was hoping for the best for us and the boys.  Some of the workers at the orphanage love those kids so much and truly care for them.  It has been wonderful to see.
We have been surprised also by some not so great things.  Scott has been pulled over by the police twice now.  Fortunately, Vanya, our facilitator, has been with us both times and knows how things work here.  The first time we had not broken any law and Vanya knew they were just wanting money from us.  So we just drove away.  The second time we had broken a law (on October 1 you are supposed to drive with your lights on all the time and Vanya had forgotten to tell Scott that).  So Vanya told them to write us a ticket and then it started!  It would take them three hours to get it written and we would have to stay right there while they were writing it.  So Vanya told them we had nowhere to be and would wait.  It is funny to watch and hear Vanya argue with them and play the game.  Of course, they sent us on our way when they realized they were not getting any money from us.   It is shocking to us that the police can so openly expect money!
Then there have been the surprises with the boys.  One has reacted so much better than we could have expected to us and one has reacted so much worse than we could have expected to us.  It has been so good and so bad all at the same time.  We still can not foresee how it will all turn out so I will not get in to any more details right now.  We are working through some really hard things and praying for God's will to be made clear.

All of this has reminded me of a poem made popular by Corrie Ten Boom's inclusion in her book years ago.

My Life is but a weaving,
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.


I look forward to understanding all of the why's one day.