Hebrews 13:2

Well...he's gone...probably somewhere over the ocean by now. His flight was leaving from Charlotte at 3:25 this afternoon and I believe it's a 9 hour flight to Munich. It's the first of the two flights that this group will take to get home. He was fully packed with snacks...some of America's favorites...Snickers bars, Cheetos, animal crackers, and some sunflower seeds.

He slept in the living room last night which is right outside of our bedroom door. He kept insisting and saying things like, "Me sleep, me cry" and "No Daddy, me scary." I don't know...he was sad or scared (or just wanted to sleep in the living room) and I figured that on his last night it wouldn't do any harm. He woke me and Sydney up at 6:27 this morning...insisting that we eat together before he left. Sounds formal, but he actually had a bowl of Lucky Charms and Sydney had a bowl of Fruit Loops and I had an Eggo Waffle...but we were together and he seemed pretty content.

The "goodbye" was just as I had envisioned it. Don and Yasmin Teeter who run the Wilmington ABRO program and who I think the world of, said a prayer just before the children loaded the bus. I wanted to open my eyes and look around as everyone was standing in a circle holding onto their own children and their Belarussian child. I gripped Venya's shoulder on one side and Sydney on the other and I know I'm stating the obvious, but the tears just fell. Don prayed for their safety and asked God to continue to do His work in their lives. He thanked Him for giving us the opportunity to serve these precious children. Amen to that.

We hugged Venya as tight as we could possibly hug him before finally letting him load the bus...told him to be careful, told him to be good, told him we loved him and then our time ran out. It was the same scene that I remember from last year...all of the Belarussian children on the bus waving as it pulled out of the parking lot...and all of us host families standing silently watching it turn the corner and eventually roll out of sight. No one said anything for a moment or two. We eventually turned toward each other and said our goodbyes as well, for we have become a pretty close knit group through this experience.

I carried Sydney to the car and although I know she will miss Venya, I also know that there is a little part of her that is glad to have my full attention back and honestly, that's okay. I find no fault in that.

So, God willing, I'll hear in a day or two that Venya made it home safely to Belarus. We typically get an email from the ABRO program director in Mogilev once the children have made it back to their families. We'll miss him greatly and already feel his absence. Thank you God, for our Belarussian Summer and for all the things that You have taught us in the last six weeks about life and love and gratitude. WE are SO blessed. Venya, wherever you are...spa-quenah-noche. Good night.

The Call...and Bobby says "Goodbye"

Well, we've had an emotional 3 days as our last week with Venya is now upon us. This year's visit has flown by and I can't believe he'll be loading the bus on Saturday morning to return home. It will be a difficult goodbye, but all of my "goodbyes" in life have been difficult...it's just not something that I'm good at and I've tried not to apologize for that.



We took the time on Monday to call his mom for the last time before he returns home...we typically call her on Mondays or sometime early in the week so that he can "check in." While I had never spoken to her on the phone, I did have a sense of what she was like as a woman and as a mom, but that still didn't prepare me for Monday's call. I know her son, but I don't really know her.



I dialed the numbers like I usually do and handed the phone to Venya once I heard it begin to ring. I sat on one couch, he on the other, while they spoke to one another. At times he would laugh because he would let some English (instead of Russian) slip out of his mouth. He'd make eye contact with me and we'd chuckle. I'm sure this will happen some as he returns home with English still fresh in his mind.



I sat there watching him for a few minutes, trying to make some sense out of what was being said. While I was attempting to think in Russian and translating little bits and pieces in my head, I didn't expect what happened next. He stood up, walked over to where I was sitting and handed me the phone. Again, his mom does not speak English and I speak very little Russian, but he let me know that she wanted to speak to me...she was on the end of the line waiting.



I took the phone out of his hand, slowly held it to my ear and politely said, "Hello?" She began to speak with words and phrases that I did not fully understand but I continued to listen and then I heard what we moms all recognize in one another...a fragile voice struggling through the tears as she talked about her child, and I guess, her appreciation for his time here. In all she said, all I remember was, "Spa-see-bah, spa-see-bah" which she said over and over again. It means "thank you" and while I wanted to respond, for a moment, my own tears wouldn't let me. It was an emotional scene...me, on the phone with a woman I've never met, yet respect deeply and there are only a handful of words we have in common. She cried...I cried...and Venya just quietly sat there watching in his sweet way.



Well, Monday was sweet, but today was equally as sweet. Bobby had to say goodbye today and I don't know why, but for some reason I had thought that he would be a little better at it than I am. While he hated leaving with Venya still here, it's just the way our calendar of events fell...he'd had a trip planned for a long time and really couldn't (and shouldn't) miss it. So we all woke up at 5:45 this morning to take him to the airport and see him off.



While Venya hated that "Daddy" was leaving, he followed through with his typically sweet gestures of helping Bobby load his bag into the car and asking how many days he would be gone? Where was he going? And even, what about the office? He was curious, or I guess I should say, concerned. We pulled up, unloaded the suitcases and started the emotional process of saying goodbye. While it would only be a few days away from me and Sydney, we weren't too happy about it either. First, I hugged and kissed him and told him to be careful. Then Sydney (who was still in her pajamas) took her turn with hugs and kisses and "I love you Daddy." And finally, it was time for Venya.


Bobby, who was already crying, leaned toward him and they embraced with a strong and firm hold that men and boys often use when they hug. Bobby then kissed him on the top of the head, told him to be a good boy, and gradually let go as he said one last thing in Russian, "I love you." Venya said nothing as the tears started to fall. He climbed into the car, raised his knees to his chest and put his head down...hiding his face and all the emotion.


Love is a hard thing, because it means that you agree to a certain amount of pain in your life. We knew going into this experience that it would require that we were willing to love and to let go. It's a process that is difficult, yet necessary. Tatsianna (Venya's mom) is waiting for him in Belarus and we are grateful for that...and grateful that in the years to come, we have more Belarussian Summers ahead of us.

Snapshots

Happy Birthday Venya!

This past Saturday was the big birthday bash for Venya and all of the Belarussian children. I remembered from last year that while it was a little crazy having such a big group of excited kids altogether around a pool, it was also one of my favorite summer memories. I LOVE the excitement of watching them all celebrate together and of course, there is such a sweetness in singing "Happy Birthday" to this special group of kids over a cake that is decorated with the American and the Belarussian flag. They all stand there and smile before ripping open their presents. It's just a special moment that sort of hits me in the heart.

This year Venya got a Rip Stick which probably sounds like a crazy gift to give a Belarussian, but we know this kid and we know he will be "ripping it up" in Belarus. For two summers now he has enjoyed Bobby's so we know he'll find a way to skate in Belarus.

Funny story...last year I was trying to ask him what he wanted for his birthday before the big party. I thought roller blades would be good...again, the boy loves to skate and he's REALLY athletic. I used the e-translator on the computer to ask him, "Would you like skates for your birthday?" only somehow it didn't translate quite right. He later told me (after he opened the roller blades) that I asked him, "Would you like a HORSE for your birthday?" Can you imagine his thoughts? I mean, he's always appreciative and sweetly accepts whatever you give him, but a HORSE? On an airplane? For 38 hours? Back to Belarus? We laughed really hard about that one and I threatened to buy him a horse again this year!

We are having such a great time with him and the days are really ticking along. I'm trying to enjoy the few that we have left as he will be packing up and heading out on the 31st. We've really "settled in" and he's just part of the family now...yet I know that the RIGHT thing, as hard as it will be, will be to send him back to his family in Belarus...tanned, healthy, refreshed and renewed...and hopefully, with the love of the Lord in his heart.

Just Like Christmas...in the 80s

Well we've been told that the winters in Belarus are brutal...freezing temperatures and lots of snow and they actually do walk to school in it. It sounds miserable and I'm pretty sure that on most days, it is. So I could feel pretty sympathetic when Venya's mother told the translator that he needed some snow clothes and I've been on a mission to find some. The trouble is it's summertime and when you live in a beach town, they don't sell snow clothes in the summer or at any point in time for that matter.

But I have my creative way of solving problems and I was pretty excited yesterday when I remembered that Bobby had a old bag of snow clothes up in our attic. While I was still in my pajamas, I put on the head lamp and dashed up the stairs in search of the bag! I knew if I could find it, Venya and his mother would be more than appreciative.

Bobby didn't discourage me, but he also didn't offer to help which I at first thought was a little lazy on his part. I didn't let it worry me too much. I was on a mission and thought I could handle it until I saw that the infamous red "ski bag" was too far out of my reach at which point, I called for Bobby and up the stairs with some heavy footsteps he came.

Bobby put on the headlamp and reluctantly (but silently) climbed over the other boxes and cobwebs until he got to the bag. He pulled it out into the bonus room floor and let out a deep breath. I simply smiled and said "thank you." I would take it from here. I would carry it down stairs and present all of the the "goodies" to Venya with a "Ta-da!" I was just forgetting one very important thing...this bag (and all that was in it) was cool...in the 80s.

I unzipped it and quickly spotted the ski goggles. Perfect! Venya's been asking for these specifically...these will be great! I opened the rather large box containing...um, the rather large goggles...and handed them to Bobby so that he could model them for Venya. As he put them on, the living room broke out in uncontrollable laughter! They were the biggest, bulkiest goggles you've ever seen and there was no way that Venya would be wearing them. How would he hold his head up?

Well, the jokes continued as we each grabbed something out of the bag and tried it on. It really did feel like Christmas as Bobby reached down and pulled out an old wool sweater that I'm not sure was even cool in the 80s. Venya, as sweet as he is, politely shook his head with a little "no" every time we tried to hand him something. He did enjoy trying on the ski boots, but those went back in the attic along with most of the rest of the stuff. One day...like maybe on Halloween...we might actually pull it out again and oh yeah, I apologized to Bobby for thinking he was lazy. :)

Snapshots

'Twas the Night Before Fishing

So, we decided to go fishing on Sunday morning, which meant that we spent a little bit of time on Saturday evening getting ready. Bobby took Venya out to do the usual pre-fishing routine of gassing up the boat and checking to make sure that we had the right bait. We learned last year that Venya LOVES to fish so he was eager to help get things ready for the big trip.

During their preparations Venya kept asking "Fish...six, zero, zero?" He wanted to know exactly what time we would be heading out. Would it be 6 o'clock? I guess he remembered from last year that the fish bite in the morning, but Bobby was hesitant to answer...I mean, it was a holiday weekend and we really didn't want to be fully committed to a "get out of bed" time.


As we put Sydney and Venya to bed we were still trying to calm his excitement. He was giddy and was acting sort of like it was the night before Christmas as he continued to ask, "Fish...six, zero, zero?" We laughed and said our new favorite word around here which doesn't reallly commit you to anything, "Maybe." We then headed toward our own bedroom to hit the sack.


Well, I was somewhere off in wonderful dreamy land when I heard a voice at the doorway of our bedroom. "Daddy, wakeup, six, zero, zero!" It felt like the middle of the night, but when we turned toward the clock it was in fact...six, zero, zero. We laughed (which felt great to wake up laughing.) This kid was ready to fish and was once again beginning the day dressed and ready, only this time he was in the doorway of our bedroom urging us to wake up!


We asked him later what time he actually woke up. He said with a smile, "Me, wakeup, four, zero, zero...FISH!" I wondered why his bedroom light was on! Apparently he woke up BEFORE the sun and sat there waiting until six, zero, zero. While he and I are still not on the same sleep schedule, I've got to admire his passion for seizing the day...and the fish!

Home Again!

Well, we're back and while it's good to be home, it was also really good to be away. Venya survived the long car ride home (along with the long car ride across Florida and the car ride to pick up Bobby at the airport.) Lord knows how many miles we put on Bobby's car, but I sure enjoyed the journey...stopping at the fireworks store in South Carolina and the peach stand in Georgia. Here is a shot of the kids in the back seat just as their delirious state of "We've been in the car too long" began on our ride back to Wilmington.

As a side note, we finally figured out what Venya was talking about with the cheese and the "Pow, pow, pow." One day we were making sandwiches together and he picked up a slice of Swiss cheese and pretended to shoot some holes through it. Anyway, all that time (and through all that laughter) he was just trying to tell us that the Swiss cheese that he and Bobby bought at the store looked like someone shot holes in it.

The highlight of our trip was visiting the place in Florida that so many people refer to as "magical" and while I would agree with that, when it begins to rain, it loses its "magic" a little. In spite of the weather, we had a great time and Venya's face as we approached the magical world of Disney was just as you would picture it. I texted Bobby as we walked through the gates at Magic Kingdom..."You should see his face...one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done." To see Disney through his eyes...to see everyday life through his eyes...it really is more fulfilling than it is work and at moments, I get overwhelmed with sentiment and gratitude for all that God has provided us with and now, all that we are able to provide.

Venya loved the rides...the faster the better, so we quickly circled the park and made our way to Space Mountain. I tried to explain in my English-Russian blend that it would be fast and it would be dark. Was he up for it? While we had already been on Thunder Mountain, I wasn't sure that he (or his stomach) would like the speed of Space Mountain, but I would have felt like a failure if we didn't at least try to make it happen, so Venya and I got in line just as the wait time read, "40 minutes" which was also hard to explain. After 40 minutes, I think he figured it out.

I kept looking Venya's way as we were approaching the loading area. I kept trying to read his face...look for fear...look for anxiety. I kept asking him if he was okay and giving him the thumbs up...waiting for him to give me one in return. I was trying to remember back to my childhood...what else happens in Space Mountain that I might need to warn him about? What's my plan if he gets sick? What's my plan if I get sick?

We finally loaded the "shuttle" with Venya in front of me. I became a little alarmed as the back of his seat now blocked my view of his face and there would be no more reading of his body language until the ride was...over. I quickly yelled over the space noise one last time, "Venya...okay?" to which I got no response. Great, I thought. Here we go.

We immediately shot into the darkness and I remember thinking, Wow! This is a lot faster than it used to be! When did they decide to turn up the speed? I looked toward the blond fuzzy head that was in the seat in front of me but could see NOTHING until that one "magical" moment. We were approaching the starry sky in an upward high speed motion when I suddenly saw Venya's skinny little arms shoot up in the air as if reaching toward the heavens. The silhouette of those arms against the black starry backdrop was priceless. He was okay...he was more than okay and I laughed in my seat as I suddenly decided to follow suit and raise my own arms. Thanks God!

Disney can be a place of true bonding...travel there. Walk 5 miles around the park in the hot sun together. Have a Mickey bar. Walk a few more miles in the rain. Stand in line 40 minutes and speak with signs and sounds and a few words in between and then finally, raise your hands toward the heavens and smile. It was a great trip, with great reward and once again, I'm grateful.