Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

To all who commented:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for your comments. I look soooo forward to them! I am sorry Julia I wish I could update you as well! Johnson's you rock! Dave, surprise that woman of yours with something special, you know she deserves it!
James, I am glad to do anything I can for you guys! Just wait till you read further on!
Roxanne, do we know you?

Ok, to explain todays title. I am using the "idealogy" that these orphanages are horrible and the nurses are too. However, I think to accurate explain the situation at least at our orphanage, I would say these ladies are vastly misguided on disablities like their whole culture seems to be. I believe Misha (Mini-me) is starting to open their eyes to the potential they have. I think if we could educate them more, these nurses would be outstanding care givers. At least most of the ones I have come in contact with. I was talking to this very sweet nurse, that knows a little English, about Misha and Zhenya and I was asking if they were friends. The reason I said that was that I was thinking Zhenya will be said when I leave with Misha. Her response was "they are my friends and I will be sad when they go." I have come across so many nurses here that truly do care for these kids with disabilities. I am not being biased. I observe them and see how they do care. It is a real shame I don't speak Russian because I would love to share the gospel with them and also child care techniques. So to explain the title, I think some parents see them as the enemy, and I would encourage you to really show compassion to them and be yourself. I know RR says every parents experience is different and to some extent that is true. However, I started this journey here with the "fear" of this place and these people. After the first half day of trying to be someone I am not, I realized Christs call does not stop at the US border, but we are to be His light to all the world! So I would encourage you to let your Light shine! I cannot tell you how many times I have seen God open doors for me here because I have fearlessly decided to be His ambassador! Today, I had a lady at one of the stores I used to live by(over a week ago) just come up to me as I was standing outside her store for the first time in a week, and in her best English say Hello with a smile. I thought wow, she remembered for one, but for two how the Light penetrates the darkness! Now don't be nieve and foolish, but be wise and loving! I would encourage really the dads, but maybe the moms' to other ladies, but definitely not other men! I have seen the perversion clearly in the men here, and so I do want to caution you ladies that come. Since I could not keep this short, even if you don't like your nurses, the best rule of thumb here is to heed todays title with all the grace God gives you! After all, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them." Luke 6:32

All right, off my soap box.

Today I felt horrible again I was really late to get to him this morning. Partly for oversleeping and partly trying to make the trip faster by taking unknown buses and then having to wait for the correct ones! I felt like a real bad Papa! You know that saying it's not quantity but quality, it really applies here! He just lights up when he sees me! It is awesome. The other cool part is the nurses let me stay till almost 1 today. I got to see him eat, go potty on the potty, and I got to lay him in his crib for his afternoon nap! HOW AWESOME IS THAT? He was soo good, I just laid him in his crib, and said goodbye and he just laid there and went to sleep! That was really nice! So whomever Zhenyas parents are I hope you don't mind me posting this picture, but I can't resist!

They are two buddies trying to be boys! This picture does not do this moment justice! I was soo happy!

So I spent some more time with nurses and I had a teenage boy there to help almost interpret! It was cool! Then I left, I stopped by a shop and negotiated really well for a couple souveniers. I was proud of myself!

Then I got to spend the rest of my time with the Godwin's! God bless you guys as you head to Kiev tomorrow and I will be praying you make your flight home on Friday!

Then I went back and got some more Pampers from that man that got me the mosquitoe repelent. He again gave me some balloons for the kids at the orphanage! Talk about a good way to keep me coming back! Still he was very glad for me and was welcoming me a lot today! May God have mercy on him! I also stopped by my bakery ladies and had a great time showing them pictures of what they call in their best English "beautiful girls"! These ladies are soo sweet. I keep forgetting to snap their picture but I will! Man, nothing like hot and fresh pastries! There is this boy that I like giving a grievna to. His mom is one of the market ladies, and he is probably 8. It is just so cool to see a young man respect and work for his mom like he does. He keeps trying to tell me No, I keep throwing it on the ground, he even chased me today. But I told him, he is a good boy and buy some candy! He respected what I said. Oh some of these people I will miss! Well with my pampers I headed to the orphanage. It was raining again! So Misha and I spent some time inside, trying to Skype Mama, but she did not answer! Then we watched a little bit of Ice Age, and then we went outside because the rain stopped. We finally Skyped Mama, and I do believe it probably made her day. He definately recognized her and smiled at her a bunch. Time flew by and I had to bring him in. That nurse told me to sit with Misha, dinner was late. So guess what I got to do, whomever Zhenya's parents are? I asked to hold Zhenya and Mini-me at the same time. BOY O BOY did we have some fun and laughs!!!! He is sooooo ticklish! With his knee bent the front side if his knee cap is a Great spot, and the same with Misha! I just sat there ticking them for so long and holding them. Then I got up and danced with them both again. What a night! Thank you Lord! I also stayed for dinner which was a fish patty cut up and white rice. They love it! I could not believe it was fish! So I snapped this photo and I just happed to get Zhenya in it as well! Lucky me! ;0)

Then my day ended with him. I took the 99 bus back to the city and stopped at this place on the corner called the Chicken house. I think I spoke of this place before. I have met the owner or manager his name is Maltune? He is cool, and speaks some English. I had a cheeseburger and fries, it is good to be able to read the menu even if the English is as bad as mine! Here he is on the left.

So I will leave you with some more pictures again, I got to get home. I hope the bus is still going that way!

Toby

I gave these Roses to my land lady with my wife's permission, ok guess how much they cost. Maximize the photo to see the detail of the craftsmanship. Then leave your guess. I will answer tomorrow!

Have a great night everyone!