Sergey plus 12

So we arrive with our 5 at the airport over 2 hours early. Delta gives us a really hard time. We finally get a pass for me to walk them back to their plane. Going through customs one of the girls was checked twice. An older orphan that had met us there went through 3 times. They threw away several of her bottles. Finally we get out of security. We rush to meet Sergey, who has been there several minutes. Delta had called about 3 times asking where I was....the Delta counter.
The lady tells me he has no passport and asks where it is. I assure her I will not put him on the flight until I know the answer. She, did not believe me and called the gate to let them know the problem. Sergey is crying because his passport is lost. The lady tells me he can not stay there crying he might upset the other children...that have all left. He was the only one in there. So we take the Poltava children to the gate. The flight is overbooked the children have no seats. I'm having to push them to get seats for the children. They send me somewhere at the other end of the concourse to ask about Sergey's passport. They were very unhelpful and implied it was my problem to fix. I at this point begin crying. I had to go to the gate to get the others on the flight. They are the last to board and finally have seats. Delta is thrilled to give away Sergey's seat.
I return to the other end of the concourse to ask for his ticket back. They are still no help and tell me to go to lost and found outside of security.
I receive a phone call....Delta found the passport, they will fly it to NY, no direct flight, it's coming to Atlanta. I'm to stick around until 2 to get it. I go back to the gate to inform them and ask about another flight. By the time the passport arrives at 2 he will not make it to NY to join the group. Delta, hearing they really do have the passport begins to be helpful.
Sasha did the paperwork to get Sergey in the US. He was flying home with a group of 12 orphans. Not on Delta. Their flight was at 9:30 p.m. Delta agreed to put Sergey on the flight with them. We waited 12 hours in the airport between flights. By the time we left the airport Rachel and I had been there 141/2 hours. We woke up at 3 a.m. We had no breakfast. We did not get lunch until 1. Picked up the passport at 2. Rode the train to all the concourses. Sergey did not want us to nap, so we did not. We went to the gate early to get his seat assigned. The attendant knew who he was, checked his passport and said he could not board until the adult arrived. (Again, I'm not going to let an orphan board the plane without an adult.)
The flight from Tampa with Sasha and the children was late. No place for it to dock. I leave Rachel and Sergey at the gate. I travel on the train from E to A. They are at the very end. We walk and talk. They tell me the children need the bathroom. I explain the plane has already begun boarding before I left to get them. Rachel calls to tell me they have called the final boarding. We top the escalator to hear it a second time. We get the thumbs up from the Delta workers as we enter the gate. They are the last to board the plane.
Would the 12 orphans had made it on the plane if there had not been a problem with Sergey's passport? What are the odds they flew home the same day? Isn't God's timing perfect.
As tired as we were, Rachel and I talked the 3 hour drive home. We arrived home about midnight. We were excited about what God had done.
Phone conversations on the way home reinforce another area of ministry God is calling me to with the orphans. Through prayer and praise the answers to my questions were found. The answers of how to do it right.

They go home Sunday

We are getting close to the end. Many have started school. The children leave for Ukraine Sunday around 4:00 a.m. We will drive them to Atlanta. It will be sad to see them go.
God has done many amazing things during this trip. We have taken a couple of different approaches this year. We will evaluate each for the future.
One of the kids said they'd "give anything in the world to stay here". It makes every dime worth it. Many donated to help us adopt. How can we not keep giving our lives to serve God and help the orphans.
These are not the children that arrived. They are kinder, gentler and more loving. One did not smile for days. Now he smiles all day. He trusts us and feels safe. As I sit here typing the younger 4 are resting from dance class. The older reading a Ukr book we have for school.
The peace in this home. 12 children. 12 precious children. My heart breaks to send them back. My adopted son's heart breaks too. He has been there. He knows. Now he is asking for a little brother. I love the change in him. (I hope he gets a little neighbor.)
Our older 2 adopted children have been doing translating for us. Sometimes willingly and with joy. Others well, they are kids. But it is amazing to me that a little over a year ago, they were in the same orphanage. They have changed and learned so much. My son was as skinny as the boy here. He is not anymore. He is incredibly healthy.
God is amazing. His mercy never ends. His love endures forever. Praise be to God!

Missions update

We have had pizza brought once, 2 meals brought yesterday and attended 2 pot luck dinners.
The children have been swimming 3 times, once with a meal provided.
Spring Valley Beach day for the orphans and a meal.
Total of meals provided: 5
The host family has provided 26 meals during 11 days the orphans have been here.
We have had 2 money donations this year. The lowest amount and number of donations ever.
Six Flags tickets were donated for the 5 orphans.
There has been some clothes donated.
We took some of the children to Walmart to buy much needed shoes.
We have had some fruit, snacks, groceries and cleaning supplies donated.
Five cakes were made for their birthday party!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.

Blessings: 2 families feel led to adoption. One child is being pursued for student visa. 2 older teens are being pursued for adoption. We pray God's wisdom, provision and guidance.

The Hill family will soon leave for Ukraine for the adoption of Tanya and Leza. They were hosted orphans. Please pray for them and their new family.

The children will be here until Aug 15th.

We will be at Trussville Playstaion Tuesday night.

All is going great!

Today we met a group for swimming. We took a pic nic lunch. The kids had a great time and did not want to leave. They rested by watching a movie and playing video games. Alina made a salad for dinner. Heather, Haley and I cooked the pasta and bread. After dinner they rode bikes and painted hats.
Andrey decided he could splash and attempt to dunk me in the pool. This is what my sons usually do. I usually dunk and splash them. Andrey choose to chase me down and well get dunked.
Alina and Artem are tired tonight. Although neither want to go to sleep. Artem took a long nap during the movie. Of course, that is why we showed a movie.
Dima is one of the nicest young men. Opens doors for ladies and carries things. He has been great in obeying what we ask him to do. Just precious.
Alona was not thrilled when I told her we were getting up at 6. We will go to Six Flags tomorrow. Our plan is to be in the car by 7. We will see.