Why Ukraine?

Yuroslav the Wise in front of The Great Golden Gate of Kiev (recognize anyone else?)

In 1996, I had a life-changing experience when I answered a call from God and went on my first short-term mission to Ukraine with the United Methodist Church "Ukraine Initiative" program.   Since that time, both Ron and I have been blessed with many wonderful friends from Ukraine and have continued to see the Holy Spirit at work through them.   I first visited a Ukrainian orphanage in 1997 and wrote the caption in my photo album, "Wouldn't you love to adopt all of these beautiful children?"  Little did I know... Ron and I made the decision to create a family through adoption in the spring of 2000.  Although we immediately thought of the children in Ukraine, we researched all of the options available to us.  We liked the fact that Ukraine adoptions could be done without an agency, that you got to meet the children prior to making your decision, and that it could all be done in less than a year.  But more importantly, the more we prayed about it, the more we felt in our hearts that God was leading us to a child in Ukraine! (For lots of great information on Ukraine adoptions, please see the links on the home page.)

Looking like typical American tourists on a mission trip to Kiev in October 2000. (Robbie was still a dream!)

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