Our translator met us at our apartment at 10:15 am so the three of us could walk to the State Department of Adoption....it was about a 15 minute walk and of course it was snowing!
The "waiting area" was essentially the bottom floor of the office. The building was very big, but the area we were in was not. I nearly bumped my head coming through the door...I ducked at the last moment avoiding our first international incident.
After standing for about 30 minutes, the previous couple, most likely from the U.S., came downstairs and we were next. We were led up to a small office, which had an even smaller office in the back corner. This office had two desks and small couch and table. At least two State Psychologists shared this office, but at least 5 were in and out of it during our "interview," which wasn't really much of an interview. The electricity in the office went out twice during out appointment. No one seemed to think it was such a big deal. Our Psychologist had to use her cell phone to call one of the orphanages...
THE INTERVIEW
We were first asked to present our passports and verify our request for a child. She then opened a notebook and began taking out plastic sleaves with pictures and a few pages of information. We just sat and listened to our translator who was both translating what the psychologist was saying as well as the important items in their file.
Although we knew what to expect, it was still tough seeing their picture and hearing about their conditions...more on that later...
We have selected a child to go and visit. She is nearly three years of age and we have been told has some issues but it is impossible to know their severity until we actually meet the child. We will be traveling to the Crimea region located to the South and her village is on the coast of the Black Sea. We will most likely be traveling by train, about 15 hours, leaving tomorrow evening. Once we arrive we will be able to meet the child and speak with some of the Doctor's who have been helping with her care.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during the next few days, since we will be given a small amount of time to make a decision that will last a lifetime.
We know there is a plan for our family, we just have trust in Him to get us through this journey.
Since we are unsure of internet access until we arrive, this may be our last post for a little bit...
Love to you all,
Richard and Lisa
The "waiting area" was essentially the bottom floor of the office. The building was very big, but the area we were in was not. I nearly bumped my head coming through the door...I ducked at the last moment avoiding our first international incident.
After standing for about 30 minutes, the previous couple, most likely from the U.S., came downstairs and we were next. We were led up to a small office, which had an even smaller office in the back corner. This office had two desks and small couch and table. At least two State Psychologists shared this office, but at least 5 were in and out of it during our "interview," which wasn't really much of an interview. The electricity in the office went out twice during out appointment. No one seemed to think it was such a big deal. Our Psychologist had to use her cell phone to call one of the orphanages...
THE INTERVIEW
We were first asked to present our passports and verify our request for a child. She then opened a notebook and began taking out plastic sleaves with pictures and a few pages of information. We just sat and listened to our translator who was both translating what the psychologist was saying as well as the important items in their file.
Although we knew what to expect, it was still tough seeing their picture and hearing about their conditions...more on that later...
We have selected a child to go and visit. She is nearly three years of age and we have been told has some issues but it is impossible to know their severity until we actually meet the child. We will be traveling to the Crimea region located to the South and her village is on the coast of the Black Sea. We will most likely be traveling by train, about 15 hours, leaving tomorrow evening. Once we arrive we will be able to meet the child and speak with some of the Doctor's who have been helping with her care.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during the next few days, since we will be given a small amount of time to make a decision that will last a lifetime.
We know there is a plan for our family, we just have trust in Him to get us through this journey.
Since we are unsure of internet access until we arrive, this may be our last post for a little bit...
Love to you all,
Richard and Lisa
