Wowie!!!

Kids dressed up in costumes we provided!
Including Ded Moroz!

If anyone reading this is in doubt that the world is made up of wonderful people, talk to me! I just made a list of the email addresses of all those interested in sending a ziploc bag for the orphanage, and --between here and my facebook page -- we are at 35!!!!

I will find a way to fit them all if it kills me, but any over and above this 35 might end up having to go on my May or June trip ( when I go to bring D home!). If I end up having a friend go with me next month (she's trying to raise the funds to go) then I can bring another 25-30 gallon bags!!!

So, today was a snow day, so I am trying to get on top of this project. I will be emailing everyone today and tomorrow with my address and contact info, as well as the name and age of a child. If you are participating, you should put the name and age of the child in block letters, with a sharpie pen, on the front of the bag. That way I can easily pass them out when I am there.

I understand that some of you might worry about the children who will not be getting bags. I've got that covered! I will have a checklist of who is getting one, and for those who do not, I will inform them that theirs are coming on my next trip in May or June.

Jana, Valya, Christina & others sewing things with materials
that you Blog Readers provided!

For those of you who have written to ask me if their Christmas box ever arrived at the orphanage, I promise to inform you if and when I hear. I have not been able to reach the orphanage by phone or email for over two weeks. My guess is that the director took her annual vacation at the end of the Russian Holidays and has not arrived back yet. I know that when she is on vacation, it is 'all hands on deck' at the orphanage. I doubt they are bothering to answer the phone while she is away. I should hear back from them soon!

Lastly, I would truly appreciate fervent prayers about the potential hosting program. It is actually looking promising. They have asked for an additional letter from a US govt official in support of what we are doing. I hope to get either John Kerry's office or Congressman Tierney's office to draft such a letter for me. Once they receive that, they will render a decision. Please, please pray. It is no stretch to say that this may be a life or death decision for many of these children. Meaning: if they are able to come this summer and meet families, that is their best chance for eventually getting out of the orphanage system. I don't need to remind you of what happens to these kids when they age out at 16.

Also, please pray for the right people to present themselves in helping me to set up a non-profit. Paperwork is not my forte, but I am feeling a stronge nudging from God to move forward now rather than later. I still dream daily of that cottage on the hill above the orphanage. I'm re-reading a great book by Mother Theresa right now that has me even more motivated to dream!