Visiting Anna at House of Joy

Note:

Our blog is not chronological, it has been challenging to keep up with events!  Below is the blog from our first visit to see Anna at her "House of Joy"

Monday December 19th, 2011

We just arrived at Anna’s orphanage in Chervona Motovylivka.  As we walked into Anna’s orphanage the smell of fish was in the air but soon was taken over by a sweet baking smell.  The orphanage was mostly quiet with a few cute sounds from the younger kids upstairs.  All the older kids are at school.  The kitchen is bustling with Maria, Luda and Natasha making home made Pelmini, which is essentially meat pockets boiled and served with butter.

                                                           

We introduced ourselves and then in our elementary way tried to find out how to make this dish.  Only about 5 minutes later we were served up fresh Pelmini and coffee. I love the hospitality and feel of the “House of Joy”.  It is a very home like feel with only 22 children.  It feels like a big family and the children are truly cared for. 

Our adoption process is well underway and some monumental steps have been successful.  Friday the 16th we received the official “referral” from the SDA at 4:45 pm.  George’s wishes were to go to Fastiv (the district) at 8:00 a.m. on the 19th but we did not arrive from Kherson via train until 8:30 a.m. and made our way as fast as we could to Fastiv to meet Maria the inspector.  Maria would be the one to start the local paperwork to start the approval and court process.  After our meeting on the 5th floor with Maria, we were finally headed to the "House of Joy"!

Now we sit and wait for our meeting with Anna.  They have to pull her out of school to come meet with us. George is driving back to Fastiv to do some more paperwork and Clarke and I finally have time to do some updates. After about an hour of waiting, Anna arrives with big smiles along with George.  We are so happy to see her and give her big hugs!  She looks great and seems so happy!  No time is wasted and Anna is asked to write her "letter" of agreement to be adopted.

Anna writing her letter that she wants to be adopted

Dasha and Vika

After the letter is done, the little ones at the house were curious peaking into the office, wanting to know what is going on.  Anna introduces us to Dima, Vika and Dasha, the youngest ones at the house.  They are not in school yet, so their days are spent playing and having fun at the house. Dasha is 3 years old and even her young sweet age does not make her exempt from doing chores.  After their mid day meal, she quickly got the broom and dust pan out to sweep under the table, while Vika and Dima cleared the table.  This orphanage is not like your typical orphanage, it truly is a "House of Joy".  The kids are loved, cared for, tutored, attend church, do chores, garden, clean and understand some of the basic life skills which so many orphans do not.

Anna, Dasha, Vika and Dima

Soon more of the kids start coming home from school and it is evident there is a routine of what must be done after school.  Their mid day meal is served and we are asked to join in.  We are eating fish soup, fresh bread, canned peppers from the garden, kashi and fried meat patties.  It is all freshly made with the resources of the local village and garden and actually tasted very good!

Once all the UOO campers are settled in we have an opportunity to give them gifts sent from friends in Colorado.   We are joined by Masha, Sasha, Alina, Vika, Dima, Valeria, Nadia, Diana, and Luda.

Soon our day was coming to a close and we said our goodbyes.  We are warmed by our visit and our hearts are filled as we leave the "House of Joy"                                                                           Kris